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Being the calm and relaxed spirit that I am, I tend to miss the occasional piece of news. Naturally, I am acutely aware that we're currently under siege by a new virus. Still, I recently stared in disbelief at the empty shelves that used to carry loads of toilet paper and cooled my heels for a total of 40 minutes in the lengthy line at the checkout. The air was tense and conversations brief. I almost felt tempted to ask whether we were at war again. No doubt, the corona virus has found its way into our parts. As a company, we're supposed to keep our cool and that is reflected in our systematic and prudent preparations. Let's take a quick look at Ashampoo, our strategies in dealing with Corona and how we feel about it.
Sensationalism is rampant in today's journalism. All the more reason to keep a level head and be smart. Naturally, we can't just shut down the company indefinitely in case one of us catches COVID-19 and everyone who came in contact with them is put under quarantine. But we may consider temporarily closing up shop once we have reasonable suspicion. We can do that because our laptop computers are portable by design and our network infrastructure fully supports homeworking, thanks to VPN and video conferencing (which would finally give me the chance to honor my coworkers with my presence dressed in t-shirt and sweatpants). With the exception of accounting and human resources, who still rely on paper to some extent, everything's already digital. Programmers, editors, marketers and supporters: All of them are perfectly able to work from anywhere—a fact which some of them may secretly rue!
Aside from the new 30-second handwashing routine (the same time it takes me to somberly hum "God Save The Queen"), fully-automatic and contactless hand sanitizer stations have been present in our hallways for some time now. I find the ever-present scent of alcohol eerily reminiscent of my college years! Even if you're not closely following popular media outlets, many of which are trying to pass this off as the next Spanish flu (which killed up to 50 million people), these measures make sense to me. Personally, I find it excruciatingly hard not to touch my face any more. I never noticed how often I do that each day! I put my reading glasses on—and briefly touch the base of my nose: a recipe for disaster! I ponder a clever wording and stroke my beard: I'm in the danger zone! I feel like an old circus horse barred from showing its tricks.
And have you ever sneezed into the crook of your arm? Being allergic to various substances, I'm no stranger to forceful sneezing. Now, I have to retrain myself to hit my arm—and my first attempt almost led to a strained neck. I guess I need further practice to avoid making a complete fool of myself in public. In general, hygiene-related advice is difficult in office life. You're supposed to keep your distance to others, I get that, but what if you're discussing details as a team in front of a single screen? Our first attempts looked like two Siamese twins that were having an intense argument. Am I supposed to take cover whenever someone's about to cough or sneeze now? To my right, there's Axel, our video guy. Diagonally across from me sits Manuel, my translator. Our desks are wide and deep but is this distance enough in case one of us gets sick? Questions upon questions!
Currently not en vogue: physical contact
Definitely the hardest part for me is to stop shaking my, thoroughly sanitized, hands and to skip hugs. Some bump their elbows but, to me, that looks more like a shy gesture at prom. And what about birthday kids? Shout "Happy Birthday" from a few meters away as if one only had a bowing acquaintance? Feels weird but seems to be the most practicable way. Luckily, we North Germans are said to be a little unfeeling anyway so group hugs are a rarity. What is indeed unusual is the order to skip work altogether, if we're feeling unwell. Granted, nobody who felt sick as a dog showed up for work in the past anyway but we're certainly not among the faint of heart. Still, we're being cautioned to stay at home at the first sight of possible symptoms, no exceptions! Having a scratchy throat as a reason to stay away from the office will take some getting used to.
All in all, these are fairly mild requirements and strategies—and yet I find myself constantly observing my every move and chiding myself for possible misbehavior. What a stubborn creature of habit I am! In addition, I fear I may appear foolish by following the recommendations of our health department to the letter. But let's be realistic: Even without a proclivity for drama, adding a few new rules to your daily routine seems like a prudent course of action, even though you may feel awkward following them. At worst, you're being too cautious and may laugh about yourself later. I for one wish you all good health. Take care and stay safe!
What I would like to know: Has COVID-19 had any impact on your life? Are you avoiding specific places or crowds or is your daily life unchanged?
I live in rural Victoria (Australia) and in this small town there are 3 supermarkets which have empty shelves. People are fighting over toilet paper. There is no milk other than a few bottles of fresh milk. The supermarkets will be closing early to restock the shelves. Woolworths have sold 7 weeks of toilet paper in one day. My question is, other than the obvious, what are they doing with all this toilet paper?
Aber, aber...„Wir wollen unseren alten Kaiser Willi wiederhaben!“ Sven LOL
Ich komme sogar aus Wilhelmshaven (kein Scherz), dennoch könnte ich darauf verzichten. :)
Hi Sven,
So far so good on COVID-19. No one in my family or any one I know has the lurgy for which I am grateful .
At the moment I am waiting to see if I am to be locked away for the for the next few months!! My crime ? Being over 70. I am reasonably fit have no health problems so I would prefer to take my chances. Anyway enough of my moans. Take care of yourself and may the virus not come near you or your family.
Hi Sven,
While Zambia is yet to record a case of the virus, its just a matter time perhaps before it hits us but we are calmly watching and waiting.
But as Demane pointed out, its about cleanliness if one has to stay safe. My worry is for children who have to indeed be children, adopting to the new extra precautions may not be easy for them...
Otherwise, stay clean, stay safe and be happy exverybody
Well said Sven, may you be well & happy, cheers,
I entirely agree with you, Sven. The way you feel is most likely the way I'd have felt were I to be in your situation; especially knowing how seriously Germans take work! As I came to learn during the 3 years I lived and undertook my Advanced Printing Course at Hauchler Studio GmbH in Biberach a der Riss, Germans "live to work, not work to live!" (a fair Joke.) So taking them away from their "Work Routine" would be a horrible "deprivation" of their Living.
But Jokes aside, all Humanity needs to wake up to the reality of COVID-19's undisputable "Imprint" its Future for generations to come. Ironically here in Uganda, we don't seem to have developed enough Work Policies and Systems that would allow most Employers and Employees to work from Home. We can only pray and hope that we don't find ourselves facing that situation. Otherwise thanks a lot for your beautiful Reflection on the COVID-19 Crisis.
Hi Sven,
The main category is cleanliness in all bodily aspects, and as many people are unclean in their actions, diseases of all kinds have affected mankind since day one.
Every day in general living we are affected by disease-spreaders, people in supermarkets cough and sneeze into their hands and then hold. the trolley handles.
I have seen many males leave a public toilet cubicle and leaving without hand washing, and many entrances have doors with handles.
Escalator rubber hand supports, elevator buttons, shop door handles, bus and tram, train handles are held regularly by people who have all sorts of infections. People travel on cruises and give false health reports knowing they have an infection.
Individual general cleanliness, healthy meat, fish, eggs, lots of vegetables and fruit meals ensure that the body has all the necessary vitamins and minerals to ward of diseases, add sleep and rest when tired are the accepted rules of health professionals.
Diseases do not spread themselves over a wide area, unclean people do that.
Many more serious diseases than COVID-19 have ravaged people in the past, and are only controlled, not eradicated.
Happy, healthy, clean people will survive.
When you have information about the Holy Bible which teaches scriptural happenings in these coming times we've have been forewarned to expect all different types of pestilence and wired happenings hitting us.
So, I stay cool whilst obeying some of the worldly instructions on how to keep safe whilst giving praises to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
ANOTHER THING, I DON'T CARE IF MANY READING THIS LABEL ME AS A JESUS /GOD FREAK. Yes, I am guilty as charged and ave a blessed day you'all.
Doing groceries on-line. Only necessary trips outside the home. Reading and watching from the house. Catching up on my photo editing usings Commander 16. Sharing information with family and friends via the internet.
I live in Aarhus, Denmark, and we have the highest number of infected in Denmark (and Denmark has the highest number of infected in Europe per citizen) and it is clear to me, that folks around here has changed their behavior in big ways. Distances are kept, and the shops and streets are much less crowded than normally.
This could be much worse than we think.
Kind regards, Tommy.
I despise the media and government's politicization of the Chinese Flu. They are whipping their minions into a frenzy so they can better control them.
I am trying hand washing and avoiding contact. This virus is scaring, God has a plan for the earth. I am in Uganda but every thing is almost becoming quarantine: School, quarantine, Supermarkets, quarantine, Public gatherings banned etc.
So thanks
I'm 75 and in good health, but they say anyone over 70 should use extreme caution. I live in the US, in a very small village, nearby a larger "Village" of about 3,000. I have a good supply of all the things that I think we may need for at least a few weeks. I guess I didn't consider that this wasn't the only country that would have a "toilet paper crisis"! However, life will go on (or not), and we'll all do the best we can to be vigilent, and still get on with living!
GREAT WRITING - - KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND KEEP THESE GEMS COMING!
ebrat1@twc,com
Yes, church services and all church-related activities cancelled indefinitely, starting this Sunday. Bummer. :(
Went to the food store this morning--had to stock up before the hoarders got there. Stuff'll get delivered now until the coast is clear. No church, no chorale, family only.
Thank you for creating such great programs that I use everyday! Hope you all are staying well and safe amidst all the mayhem.
Just being cautious and following Government and Health guidelines. Praying.
My wife and I are old and we take the necessary precautions that we can but to live life in a bubble no thank you we go out we do what we want and if we get it you know we may die but we're definitely going to enjoy I'm life we have left God bless stay safe Sven.
Sven,
Having lived thru Swine Flu, Bird Flu and all the other 25-year cycle flus, I feel a little qualified to talk about the subject.
There is no doubt that we need to be careful about this one, since it has such a long incubation period. There is little point in detailing the ones most at risk, that's well known.
This is the first one where the majority of companies have the ability to telecommute. and that's a very good thing. I applaud your decision to support that.
One of the results may be a change in the way that companies view working remotely long term. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Well in my case we had a Princess cruise on April 4th. Others have since followed suit but last week Princess suspended all operations for 60 days, so guess I kind of got impacted. Even though all passengers were given the opportunity to cancel penalty free we had opted to go forward. I never felt uncomfortable with the ship, I was far more fearful of a two hour flight and surviving the gambit through LAX.
Trying not to avoid life though, just got back from the market. Not sure why I went, panic has set in, more empty shelves then full ones
It has become very scary here (California USA) and I am now self quarantined because I am in the "high risk" group. Very unfortunately, much of the info I see seems to indicate that for those of you that (like me) find yourself in the "high risk" category from Covid19 are probably doomed. Not to be a "Debbie Downer" but when considering all the reports of how inadequate the US government response has been to this crises, and the likelihood that cases will double every 6 days, it seems to me that many of our senior citizens will be killed by this virus. Most unsettling are the reports that our hospitals will soon be overwhelmed and unable to care for all of the sick people. Also disturbing are reports that currently in Italy and perhaps ultimately here, hospitals will triage patients and treat only those that "have a good chance of survival". That means people like myself with serious underlying medical conditions will not even receive treatment at all and simply be sent home to die. That is the scenario presently with not a very pleasant prognosis. Please be very careful if you are among the most vulnerable and even if you are not in the most vulnerable group, but frequently come in contact with people that are, you need to be extra cautious. Our best hope for getting beyond this is the absolute adherence to the CDC protocol for virus mitigation (meaning good sanitation, i.e. hand washing) and social separation. Good health to everyone, pray for us that may not survive.
Perfect! Coronavirus with no drama.
thanks for your comments you are a very good friend.