En Xàbia.com We continue to learn how other countries are facing the coronavirus crisis, a situation that the Xabra residents currently residing with us, for various reasons, abroad.
Today we interview Sonia Villaverde who lives in Germany, specifically in North Rhineland, the most populous federal state in Germany.
QUESTION. How is the situation in your country?
ANSWER. As of today (Sunday), the number of infected persons exceeds 18.000 (almost 2000 more than yesterday). The federated state in which I live (North Rhine) is one of the most infected from the beginning. There are currently more than 3500. These figures are updated daily on the website of the German Ministry of Health.
Q. What measures have been carried out so far? What do you think of these measures and what do you think of how they have been managed?
R. It is advised that we do not go outside, just to make basic purchases, go to work, etc. but if you have to go out, it is forbidden to do it in groups of more than two people (except for families). It is recommended to maintain a minimum distance of 1,50 m with other people, greater hygiene, etc.
Schools have been closed for a week and for at least three more weeks, as well as sports facilities, restaurants, shops, etc. It is also recommended not to go to hospitals to avoid saturation.
If you have symptoms, you have to call your family doctor and a first diagnosis is made by phone. If it is believed that you may have COVID-19, it is recommended that you stay home and treat it like the flu. If the symptoms are more severe, you are transferred to the hospital.
In Germany, no state of alarm has yet been decreed, so people keep going out. I think that measure should have been taken days ago. We have clear examples of how quickly the virus spreads and as long as there is no ban, people will continue to leave home. The Germans are very correct and they really like to follow the rules. If leaving home is prohibited, they will not leave.
Q. Do the people there comply with them? How do they behave in the face of the situation?
R. In general, Germans always keep their distance from other people. Today, the contact has been reduced and the distance keeps it even more, but still there are people who do not take it too seriously: this week the sun has risen after having had a very rainy winter. There were people doing sports outdoors, people walking, families in parks (although on the other hand, they are measures that the government has accepted and understands as needs).
When the cases started to go up, there was widespread panic and people swept through the supermarkets. I guess in the end, everyone is afraid of needing something and not finding it.
Q. How are you living there and being away from home?
R. I am calm as much as possible, I am following the recommendations not to leave the house (only to buy, etc.). I am also working from home, so the need to go out on a daily basis is much less.
Although not being with the family generates a little more concern, we are all taking the necessary measures and we know that this will be temporary. I am also aware that it will take a while to get back to normal, and that implies not being able to visit the family. Luckily, we can talk and see each other by video call every day and it makes the running of the bulls easier.
Q. What do you know about what is happening in Spain? What news do you get?
R. In general I like to be informed of what is happening in Spain, not only now but always. I read the newspaper daily and talk to my family daily. The news that arrives is the reality of what is happening and in my case, it has made me more quickly aware of the measures that we citizens have to take here.
