When asked about the problems, stress and discomfort of the crisis I can not say that it has changed me. I had to adapt. But don’t we adapt every day? Change according to the changes in our private and business life?
Social distancing is not a problem at all. I talk more on the phone, contact people I haven’t spoken with for years so overall it has improved my social contacts. Coming from North Germany social distancing is in our blood that’s why it easier for us. Shaking hands was never my favourite. I remember many receiving lines at cocktail reception when you had to shake hundreds of hands. The cold hand, the sweaty, the creamy hand, the powerful shake and the almost dead fingers that hardly moved. I don’t miss it at all! Hugging? I love to hug my wife – I hug my sister but everybody else should please hug anyone they like but not me. Giving a kiss as greeting is in many countries norm and I had to live with that too often. Kissing is over? Fine with me. I kiss my wife and if there is a virus we share it like we share everything in our life.
The one big advantage I have that I haven’t watched TV for more than 10 years. My wife and I are busy with work and can spend long times talking to each other until early morning when we have the chance. We also enjoy each other when we hardly talk much but still enjoy our time together.
Reading books is another of my favourites and this events give me the time to enjoy it even more.
One thing I realized is that we will have to change radically. In my opinion this crisis has changed the world in a negative way. Yes I read all the comforting notes that it brings us closer together, increases trust and respect for each other and the leaders managing it and will make us more humble and thankful for what we have. Does it? We will face unemployment on a never seen scale, a disappearing middle class and all the hardship that will come with it. I am not worried but I am ready to adapt and change radically to be strong enough to help those I love and those I admire and respect to enjoy the future.