The coronavirus lockdown - a German perspective
People do yoga exercises in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Sunday, April 5. To slow the spread of the coronavirus, the German government has considerably restricted public life and asked citizens to stay at home. AP
By Amanda Price
Following on from last week's article, this is a letter from Artur Meyer who is under lockdown with his wife and daughter in Lower Bavaria. The town they live in is one of many quiet, semi-rural towns along the famed “Romantische?Strasse” (Romantic Road).
Few anticipated that Bavaria, with its swaths of open countryside, would become one of the most severely affected regions in Germany.
My question to Artur was how he viewed his own nation's response to the coronavirus and how he thought it compared to other nations. Artur chose to compare Germany to Italy as they had been often compared in the media.
This letter was in German and has been translated into English, so please forgive any clumsy wording:
“The cases in our region are increasing, but so far my family is safe. Our town is surrounded by fields so it is easier to be away from our neighbors.
We have a small vegetable garden but there is a store in our town where we can buy necessities if we have to. I am missing running and cycling as I'm very involved in sports. My wife and I are missing our adult son most of all.
Our town is one of many quiet country towns in our part of Bavaria, so the quietness and isolation are not as hard for us. Government updates break the silence.
Our government has been logical and practical in its approach to containing the virus. As my family discussed, this is the German way to approach problems. Being methodical and pragmatic does not create a sense of panic, which I think has helped Germany.
I had not heard of 'personal space' until a few years ago, but having visited many European nations, I know that Germans need more personal space than most. This has been a good thing at this time and has made social distancing much easier.
Though our government has closed borders and focused on Germany's needs, we are still part of the Schengen zone and the EU. I think most Germans want to help others. Italy and Spain, in particular, have been in our hearts and constantly in our prayers. We have travelled to Italy and were impressed by the people's openness and warmth.
Germany is, however, very different to Italy, but that does not mean it is better. Italian doctors are as good as German doctors and their healthcare system is rated very highly by the World Health Organization.
Although it is harder for Italians to be isolated, the Italian people have followed regulations and remain in lockdown for longer than any European country. Though the media writes about things negatively, I disagree that Italy has failed and Germany has succeeded.
There are lifestyle and demographic differences that need to be considered when comparing Germany and Italy.
What we are learning from this pandemic is that the culture of a country, or even cultures within a country, have much to do with how this virus spreads and how people cope.
In Bavaria, where the virus is spreading faster, we have a very active lifestyle which leads many of us to be involved in outdoor sports. Whenever the sun is shining you will find us outside running, cycling, or at a sporting event.
The same is true of Italy, so it is no surprise that we have both been badly affected.
We are told here that many infections began on ski slopes, where young skiers gather in their thousands every winter.
They say this is why many of our young people, much more than other countries, have been infected and transmitted the infection to other young people. Of course, fewer of these younger patients die, but it means that families are not only concerned for the elderly.
My elderly mother lives in a care home like many of our elderly. Elderly folk who don't need care often live by themselves, unlike Italy where several generations are in one home. Knowing that they were the most vulnerable, our government quickly protected these care homes and people, so thankfully we have fewer deaths here.
Italy's elderly were at home with their families and so infection spread through whole families. I think this has been a big difference between the two countries.
Our government is goal-orientated and our society is already a highly regulated one. We have regulations about freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, our national anthem and even beer. I think it was easier to enforce regulations in Germany because it is how our society works.
German solidarity is different to other cultures. Germany's social conscience is its solidarity. We follow rules in order to keep people safe, but we don't always find ways to keep people close and connected.
Italy's emphasis on emotional solidarity has inspired other nations. Italians show compassion to each other which will help their country hold together. This is an area where Italy is ahead of Germany.
I believe Germany will overcome this crisis; we have had things happen in our country that are much worse and we have survived.
But I believe that this virus preys on circumstances. I don't think it is black and white, just as countries are not black and white.
It seems we will all pass through this fire, so what is important is how we come through it. When the virus has gone, we will be different, but I think some countries will be better.
Not only Germany and Italy will survive, all of Europe will survive. Not because we have one culture, but because we have many.”