How is the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Germany

How it all began

I live in the capital of Bavaria, which initially had the highest increase in incidence in Germany. There is a logical explanation for this: Bavaria simultaneously borders on several countries (the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland, and there it is a stone's throw to Italy and France), many Germans like to relax in this region, and as a result, the coronavirus has spread across the largest land in Germany in the blink of an eye.

In Germany, each federal state decides independently which measures to combat the pandemic should be introduced. Bavaria became the first state to introduce a quarantine regime and a number of strict rules as soon as it became clear that COVID-19 was not a joke. It happened at the end of March.

Quarantine has led to the closure of all educational institutions, including schools and kindergartens - teaching has switched to a remote format. Most enterprises, like many government agencies (city halls, education administration departments, labor exchanges, and others) followed them on indefinite leave. Remained in the ranks of the police, fire service and hospitals. However, all planned operations were canceled, and most of the departments were converted to receive patients with coronavirus.

Four ambulances in front of the hospital emergency room

Grocery stores have become the only places that you can freely visit - always with a mask on your face and keeping your distance. Walking and playing sports on the street, which became a joy for many, were also not banned, however, provided that people do not gather in a company. Public transport continued to operate at full capacity - even additional buses were launched to reduce traffic congestion and avoid crowds.

In other federal states of Germany, identical security measures have been taken. The first wave of the pandemic scared the whole country pretty much, and the governing bodies did not hesitate to make decisions.

How restrictive measures have changed over time

By mid-May, Germany began to emerge from quarantine. Almost all restrictive measures were gradually lifted, except for the mandatory wearing of masks in closed rooms and public transport.

Despite the fact that the number of cases is growing again, in Bavaria and other federal states of Germany, they are in no hurry to introduce re-quarantine. There remains a certain set of rules that must be followed:

wear masks in public transport and any retail outlets;
wear masks when entering public and private institutions;
be in a mask at bus stops and in crowded locations in the city center;
keep a one and a half meter distance in queues;
do not gather in groups of more than five people (this rule applies to cafes, snack bars and restaurants);
only the closest relatives are allowed to visit each other (for example, it is already forbidden to visit cousins).

Since the beginning of the school year, the mandatory wearing of masks at school has been introduced in Munich, including in the classroom. An exception was made only for elementary grades and kindergartens. In addition, each student must have a spare mask with him in a separate bag in case the main one is lost or damaged.

Coronavirus in Germany: a plaque at the entrance to the hospital

Such things have firmly entered our life that no one could have thought of before. In addition to warning posters and signs in front of shops and inscriptions on the doors of buses ("Entry is allowed only with a mask"), disinfectants have appeared in all major shopping centers and supermarkets. At the entrance, people already automatically substitute their palms and move on.

At the same time, there are many federal states where there are practically no restrictions, despite the threat of the spread of infection. One of these, oddly enough, is Berlin: in the capital of Germany there is still no clear set of safety rules in connection with the pandemic. The fact is that at first the incidence rate in Berlin was much lower than throughout the country. However, at the moment, disappointing statistics for four districts of the capital speaks for itself: the number of new infections during the week exceeded 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Regarding passenger flights, there is no comforting news, air traffic has been frozen until better times. Rapid tests for coronavirus are currently being tested in Germany, and airlines will offer them before departure in the near future. Within the country, intercity trains function as before.

How people feel about restrictions

A long time ago, stable stereotypes were formed about the punctuality of the Germans, their love for cleanliness and order, respect for the rules and strict implementation of any laws. I hasten to disappoint you: these ideas are far from the truth.

More recently, in Munich, the Theresienwiese (this is the place where Oktoberfest is usually held, this year it was canceled), 10,000 people gathered - opponents of the "coronavirus panic", wearing masks and keeping distance. The rebels wanted to march through the city center, but the police dispersed them. This is just one example. Similar demarches take place here and there throughout the country.

Just like other countries at the beginning of the pandemic, Germany experienced a hype around essential goods. People were sweeping toilet paper and all kinds of disinfectants from the shelves. Yeast, flour and pasta, sunflower oil and sugar disappeared from sale for a while - store shelves resembled shots from films about the end of the world. A similar situation was observed in online stores. It was impossible to find protective masks with fire during the day.

Coronavirus in Germany: store shelves during the first wave

In the end, the excitement subsided, and the authorities imposed restrictions on the sale of certain goods to one person. Five packs of butter, two bottles of vegetable oil, 1 kg of sugar, 1 kg of flour, a package of toilet paper, two masks - and no more.

This limit was lifted as soon as an uninterrupted supply was established - a month after Germany's release from quarantine. Now there is no deficit in the country. Life is back on track, internet delivery and mail are working without interruption. The fear of not having enough milk, bread or sugar is gone.

There is no escape from the established routine. Even if people grumble, they still wear masks when entering a store or public transport. Bus drivers do not forget to remind that the mask should cover not only the mouth - there are also enough passengers who cover only the lower part of the face.

Coronavirus in Germany: the driver's seat is separated from the passenger compartment

What is the bottom line

The situation on the coronavirus front in Germany is constantly changing. If on October 10 the number of cases of infection was 4 721, then on October 17 this figure was already 7 830. According to the president of the Institute Robert Koch Lothar Wheeler, everything points to the uncontrolled spread of the virus. On Thursday, October 9, Angela Merkel met with representatives of 11 largest cities in Germany. The introduction of additional measures was discussed, such as limiting the opening hours of bars.

People have no choice but to adapt to new conditions. However, the Germans cannot be called pessimists. They do not become discouraged and believe in a bright future without a pandemic.