Corona Time

Strange times these are. If someone had told me half a year ago that the police would send me home if I were sitting by the Main with a book on a Saturday afternoon, I would probably have found it unbelievable. But here we are. In a time when citizens' freedoms are restricted to a minimum and one is only permitted to go shopping, go to work or perhaps do a bit of sport alone. "Contact ban" is what it's officially called, but it feels more like a "curfew". I feel like a prisoner in solitary confinement. My flatmates aren't here, and my only social contacts are at work. In fact, the new measures have found understanding among the vast majority of society. Which pleasantly surprises me, because when you consider why these times are so peculiar, it becomes clear: because we are not used to being restricted. I gratefully recognise: we live in a society where everyone can be whatever they want, and even more than that: we are allowed to go anywhere, with whoever and whenever we want (of course within the framework of generally applicable laws). A privilege that I only now recognise as such. When I think that my grandfather was conscripted back then to go to war and all the state is asking of me now is simply to stay at home, one shouldn't complain. 

"It's Corona Time!", you hear again and again now on social media. And yes, to look at the positive sides for a moment: we have time. In a society that thrives on being fast, it's like a blessing to be able to switch off for once. Admittedly, the restrictions sounded to me like a prison sentence. It was much more of a "you must", but isn't it much more of a "you may"? You may take time for yourself, your family, without having to "sacrifice" holiday for it. Isn't it much more of a blessing to be allowed to stay at home and simply be? For many, myself included, that may be uncomfortable because we have to admit that we don't like spending time with ourselves. By that I don't just mean being alone and watching Netflix, but really turning inward and engaging with ourselves. Moreover: how often do people beg for a break? A pause, just to tidy up the house, sort things out, read a book. The truth is, we are currently in this situation. Either we chalk up a tally on the prison wall or we take this time and use it to actually have time. It's almost like a blessing that such a hectic society simply presses pause. No outside obligations and the to-do list is limited to "read a book". And with that I don't want to belittle those who do everything to keep this society running. Rather, I want to show those who have been sentenced by mum to "house arrest" that there are positive sides too. It's time to be creative, write poetry, make music, invent things and find yourself. And when it's all over, there will be an upswing. People will appreciate sitting in a café with friends much more. Every cosy gathering in the beer garden and every barbecue evening will become a highlight. Every city stroll and perhaps also the company of work colleagues. Appreciation of professions and no taking society's gifts for granted. People will come out and enrich the world. With what they've created in hiding. New insights and perspectives will come to light and perhaps this pandemic will help us all to look inward a bit and be more grateful. And perhaps this crisis will help us, through the gratitude we've gained, to be a little bit happier.

Patricia Schweitzer