As the fear for further and wider spread of the most contagious virus after Flu which has sent the whole world into panic and economic quagmire continues, some residents in the Baden-Württemberg are beginning to reflect on the other side of the incident.
In my own private quarantine zone, I get up early in the morning as usual and the only thing that tells me that things are going on normally is the sound of the church bell around my area which rings regularly. As soon as I step out of my bed, I look through the window to get a view of my small city, the sun is shining, the day is bright, the weather is very friendly but my heart sinks as I see no one on the streets. My TV set has become the only medium through which I see the world around me in general and Germany in particular. I don’t have to go to work but at least I have my news-websites to feed with news articles. After I finish with house chores, I sit down to watch news on TV, read from whatsapp groups and later take up my laptop and start my news work, while hoping this lockdown period will come to an end. I only go out for shopping when necessary.
coronavirus fears leave german street empty
My quarantine partner, my son sleeps longer these days to make sure the days will be shorter; still, they always seem longer. He gets up from Bed, makes his bed, takes his bath, takes his breakfast, helps around with some house chores and later there is nothing left to do. He takes up his Smartphone, Nintendo Switch and sits in front of the TV.
Who said this is all fun? Of course it isn’t. Lately I decided to look on the other way because I don’t know how long we are going to live like this, then I started looking for the advantages of this period of self isolation, believe me I came up with so many amazing and interesting ideas. Amongst others, I am working hard to improve my CV, spending quality time with my son, checking on more job openings in line with my career as a journalist and talking more with my family members, love ones and my true friends. I can now control my eating habit, no rushing to eat, no fast food, no more of too much sugary food, good and most peaceful sleeps ever, no running to catch the train or bus and most importantly, hahahhaha no contact with some always angry, complaining “stress-giving” colleagues and/or chefs who pop in only to check on what you have done wrong and ignore everything you have done rightly. Taking better care of myself and my son, highest priority!!!.
As a voice of the voiceless, I tried to reach out to some friends and family members around the world to find out how they are coping with this period. From their replies most of them had seen not much advantage in this. I decided to share my tips on improving my life with them which of course has played a positive role.
The coronairus which is said to be far more contagious and more deadly (particularly for the elderly) than Flu has claimed the lives of millions of people around the world. According to medical experts, the virus has an R0 (R0 pronounced R-naught, refers to average of number of people that one sick person goes on to infect, among a group that has no immunity to the virus) of roughly 2 to 2.5, meaning that each new persons spreads the disease to about 2.2 person averagely. This makes the virus more contagious than Flu but less contagious than SARS. Yet it has appeared to be the deadliest and widely spread with a relatively high alarming death rate worldwide.
However, there is good news. R0 is not fixed. It can decrease if the right preventive measures are put in place and implemented. As it is already the case now in most countries in the world, just like in Germany, schools, Kids’ playgrounds, nightclubs, shisha bars and recreational centers have been short. Restaurants are to operate from, earliest 6am to latest, 6pm. Grocery stores, Pharmacies and small provision stores and hair-dressing saloons remain open but with more caution and alert.
On Monday the German Chancellor Angella Merkel appealed to the general public for their understanding and to follow the new regulations adding that, “there have never been measures like this in our country.” She continued that these measures are far-reaching “but at the moment they are necessary.”
In her own very words Angela Merkel said, “the more individuals stick to the rules, the faster we will get through this crisis.” The federal states and the and local authorities are responsible for the implementation of these measures.
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