COVID-19 Diaries: The Situation In Germany, 156 Days In

Lorne Anderson is a human rights consultant from Ottawa, Canada who is living temporarily in the southern Black Forest region of Germany while working to support the persecuted church in the Middle East and North Africa—“My German is limited, and no-one speaks English so we have a certain amount of normal social distancing.” We asked him what’s been going on with the COVID-19 situation in Germany. 

Q: Hi Lorne, thanks for speaking with us all the way from Germany! When did you first hear about the novel coronavirus and what did you think of it then? 

A: I first heard it in news reports in early January. I thought the Chinese would manage to contain it and it wouldn’t affect my life at all.

How concerned are you and the people of Germany now?

I’ve never been that concerned. Even though I am technically “higher risk,” I am healthy and take precautions not to be unnecessarily exposed. The German people have had a wide range of reactions. Some have been paralyzed by fear, others, especially the young, don’t see the problem, or think it is overblown.

Who were the first few coronavirus-infected people in Germany and where did they contract COVID-19 from? 

There were cases in the northern part of the country that were reported in late February (I think), people who had traveled or been exposed to travelers from China. I live in the south, where France, Germany and Switzerland meet. Our first cases crossed the border from France, from Mulhouse. Many people who live there work in Germany, and Mulhouse was where one of the first outbreaks happened in France. 

Can you tell us about the biggest COVID-19 clusters in Germany?

I haven’t paid that much attention—unnecessary travel is discouraged, so I haven’t paid much attention to what is happening in other areas. There are daily statistics published, but I haven’t followed them since late February. 

What measures has the government of Germany imposed to keep the COVID-19 outbreak under control thus far, and how have those measures affected you personally?

There have been many shop closures and travel restrictions, and gatherings larger than two unrelated people (with social distancing) are forbidden. I work from home, and my village is so small that 2020 doesn’t seem much different from 2019. The biggest difference was probably not being able to go to church—online worship isn’t the same. And it would be nice to go to a city if I get stir crazy, but there is nothing open there. I now have to wear a mask in the grocery store, but that only became mandatory at the end of April. I had some business and leisure trips canceled, but that wasn’t a government decision.

How did it feel when German Chancellor Angela Merkel ended up in quarantine because of COVID-19?

I thought it was a smart display of leadership. It showed that the government took the issue seriously, and that no-one was above the rules. 

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Germany began easing its lockdown measures at the end of April. How has that been going?  

Germans are tired of the restrictions, as are people worldwide. The sense I have is that there are still too many rules, that people are impatient for an end to them. If this situation lasts much into June I expect people will start ignoring the social distancing provisions. So far though people have been pretty accepting of the need for restrictions. The economic fallout will be huge though. 

Have you and those around you done anything to prepare for the possibility that the novel coronavirus pandemic might get worse?

Germany has probably handled the situation better than any European country. Hospitals have not been overtaxed (which was a fear in March) and the number of new cases is slowing. I don’t expect a worsening. I haven’t even stocked up on toilet paper.

What will you do if you or those who live with you develop symptoms of the virus? What do the authorities of Germany want you to do?

My understanding is people are expected to self-isolate for two weeks if they may have been exposed and see if anything develops. My neighbors did test positive for COVID-19 (and one was hospitalized), so I have done that already. If I contracted the virus, I was asymptomatic. At some point I hope to get tested to find out—international travel might be difficult otherwise.  

If you did contract COVID-19, what do you think your odds of surviving it are?

I’m an optimist. I would expect to survive. The death rate in Germany isn’t that much different from the death rate from seasonal influenza, 1.5%.

When do you think this COVID-19 pandemic will end? 

I am hoping by July—but that hope is because I have travel planned, and is probably not realistic. The end of 2020 is a more likely date for the lifting of all restrictions, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was optimistic. 

When do you think life in Germany will go back to normal again? 

At this point the word “normal” has no meaning. Restrictions are slated to gradually ease, but some may remain in place permanently to create a new “normal.” Will people be willing to attend large gatherings like football games and concerts? Will face masks be required on public transit? At this point no-one knows.

What are the best and worst examples of humanity you’ve seen since the COVID-19 crisis broke out?

I’ve seen a lot of people willing to help others. I can’t say I’ve seen bad examples—just a lot of ignorance. Those who were hoarding (toilet paper, flour and pasta seemed to be the biggest items here) were doing so out of fear. I don’t condemn people for fear, even if it is irrational.

Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

The Zoom teleconferencing platform has been very useful. I already used it for business, but there have been new uses. My wife celebrated her birthday on Zoom, with more than 90 friends joining the party. Other than that, I can’t think of anything. My life hasn’t changed that much. 

Lastly, what have you learned from this pandemic that you didn’t know before?

How incredibly unprepared governments are for emergencies. I have worked in government and know that emergency planning has been done, but this pandemic seems to have taken everyone by surprise. That needs to be addressed moving forward.

You can find out more about Lorne at his website, lorneanderson.com—“I post most days on whatever strikes my fancy: travel, politics, religion, society, leadership, music and pretty much anything you can think of. Eclectic and interesting is my goal.”—or chat with him using the comment box below. 

Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

If you’re in a country that has been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Lorne Anderson. Interviewer: Sy
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