N°

Profile[*]

What was the worst?

What was the best?

What is your hope for the future?

1

05/18

m/60

Zurich

To have to watch how ignorance of the dangers of an archaic virus leads to the partial collapse of a highly technical global knowledge society.

To see that fundamental we-instincts still work in an overly individualized society (applies to Switzerland, but not to the US or Great Britain).

That, given the shock experience of the pandemic, humanity sees itself again as a community of destiny and that people learn better to differentiate between what is and what isn’t desirable, feasible and responsible (a pious wish).

2

05/20

m/40

Tokyo

That one cannot visit one’s elderly parents.

That one can more consciously and without hectic perceive the little things of everyday life that actually are so valuable.

That not everything falls back to the old routine, but that we stop and think what is really essential and skip, for instance, unnecessary paper work.

3

05/25

m/60

Basel

The many dead as well as the return of the nation state and obscurantism («tin foil hats»).

Helpfulness among neighbours and the quiet rise of the sciences.

That we do not return to pre-Corona times (economically, politically, psychologically, and rhetorically.

4

05/26

f/60

Göttingen

The subliminal tension, although it was nice suddenly to have time, I often felt uncomfortable - there is both in this word, comfort and its negation, a tension that makes you restless and tired.

To have bought two new dogs just before the lock down and spending lots of time getting to know them, a completely different focus than always corona and infections. Blue skies clouded by almost no emissions.

A vaccine, and that the aftermath does not lead to further polarizations (economically and mentally) of society and the strengthening of anti-democratic forces.

5

05/26

f/50

Bergamo

Seeing my mother behind the window knowing that I cannot embrace her.

Having a home in which to find refuge with the people I love.

That this experience teaches us to discriminate between what is really important and valuable and what is not.

6

05/26

m/60

Florence

uncertainty

adaptation

That we learn to question “supermen” culture

7

05/27

m/60

Berlin

Personally, that social contacts were massively limited; in general, that the underprivileged were (once again) hit harder than the privileged and that many countries suffer from their leaders’ misguided decisions.

Personally, empty streets good for cycling; in general, that the pandemic reminds us how vulnerable our way of life makes us and that, at least in some countries, politics and the people have learnt to listen to scientists.

More reason in dealing with issues of the global future.

8

05/27

m/50

Zurich

To be trapped in the most beautiful prison of the world, Switzerland, and being unable to go to my longing places in California and Hawaii.

To rediscover my place of residence which I have known since 1985, Zurich, on foot and by bike, and now I know every stone on the Limat and Sihl and every tree on the shore of Lake Zurich, not to mention the ducks.

For me the outbreak of the disease has to do with animal husbandry and trade, and I hope we will release the animals in the same way that we once released people, while I’m aware that slavery is still far from being defeated.

9

05/08

m/60

Tokyo

The frightening pictures from Italy and New York and the idea that, maybe, this could happen here, too.

More contact with distant family members and friends via social media

A higher esteem for resilience

10

05/29

m/60

Pescara

Isolation and lack of normal social contacts

renewed possibilities of reflection and concentration.

I have little hope for a return to normal life, although this may have its positive sides, which, however I don’t think will be exploited, in Italy or in the world.

11

05/29

m/40

Fukuoka

The concern for friends and family members scattered across three continents, and their health.

The experience that effective and intensive online lecturing across continents is possible.

The timid hope that humanity will be able to learn from the mistakes that were made in the initial stages of the outbreak without endangering our democracy.

12

06/01

m/70

Hamburg

Belonging to a risk group in terms of age, we are positive about the restrictions. Nevertheless, missing personal contacts with relatives and friends was stressful.

Daily calls to relatives and friends to ascertain that no one in our environment had health problems or had been affected economically by the pandemic.

A more conscious attitude to life with greater consideration for others, not only in the immediate, but also in the wider environment.

13

06/01

m/50

Berlin

The thoughtlessness and ruthlessness of some people in public, also known as “centre of the universe”; you meet them somewhere else every day

The improved air quality

Better preparation for the next pandemic, for after the pandemic is before the pandemic.

14

06/02

m/70

Munich

The exit restrictions perceived (in Bavaria) as house arrest 

The sense of “deceleration” in our corona everyday

To be better prepared medically and organisationally for further waves or similar pandemics in future.

15

06/05

m/70

Essen

What was the worst? – That it may still be ahead of us.

That you could concentrate on the essentials!

That we will be prepared for upcoming challenges and – incorrigible utopian that I am! – create a better world (just don’t go back!)

16

06/05

f/10

Yokohama

That you couldn’t go out so easily to meet friends or go to town and that you couldn’t do your sport anymore, soccer in my case

That all family members were suddenly at home and you could talk about a lot of things you don’t normally talk about.

I hope for more and faster measure to protect the environment after the crisis, since we have seen how quickly politicians all of a sudden can take difficult decisions, while they so happily ignore climate change, because in 50 or 100 years things will be much worse and more people will die. 

17

06/07

m/50

Tokyo

The fear that something could happen to someone close to you (or yourself)

General deceleration and lots of free time

I was surprised that many things are happening politically that before Corona would have been considered absolutely impossible, and I wish that we would take this momentum with us to confront climate change in a similarly decisive way.

18

06/06

f/50

San Diego

The total collapse of NY City, which is often seen as the epitome of America’s basic ideas of freedom, opportunity and equality.

The “wake-up call”: how everything was relativized at once, be it wealth, the everyday hectic, tourism, but also one’s personal daily routines: Carpe diem.

That America can remain as world power and counter weight to Russia and China. And that maybe we will learn to be more grateful, in greater and smaller matters.

19

06/06

m/70

Chur

Although a sceptic and not a dreamer, at the beginning of the seventh decade of my life I was made aware that I am ‘vulnerable’ and at risk or becoming dangerous. The baroque and culturally forgotten memento mori has been brought up to date, with a vengeance.

Despite various restrictions, I have become aware that I am living well, indeed very well, and that aside from some gestures that are dear to us, the restrictions do not restrict me much.

Despite mutual assurances and promises, one wants to return even more ruthlessly to the old trot, with a few rather cosmetic and democratically compatible alibi measures, such as social distancing, disinformation and face masks.

20

06/06

f/50

Naples

To suddenly be deprived of freedom.

The silence and calm around me which has allowed me to think

That people will learn to cooperate as has been necessary in this emergency

21

06/08

m/30

Utrecht

The shortage of capacity in healthcare. The hospitals and care providers were barely able to handle the many patients with the Chinese flu. As a country we were not prepared for a virus outbreak like this.

How society reacted: Together we’ll manage this, we all listened to the advice of experts, everyone took responsibility (going out less, washing hands, etc.).

That we will learn from this crisis situation so that we will be better prepared for comparable outbreaks.

22

06/08

m/60

Bonn

Aside from the Corvid virus itself, the realization that in public discourse scientific efforts for a differentiated picture and robust knowledge were inferior.

Relief for the environment.

For the scientific world the insight that there is far too much unnecessary air travel and that the educational elite thus can contribute to climate protection.

23

06/09

m/30

Tokyo

Planning-uncertainty

That certain innovations and adjustments (e.g., paperless office, home office) were practically forced upon us.

That the said innovations and adjustments will also last in the long run

24

06/09

f/40

Bari

Feeling evaded by others; the mistrust toward the stranger who evoked that feeling.

Planning things that had been set aside for some time; the resolve to change.

Considering that for the first time in many years the populations of the most advanced countries (Europe, US and other economically superior countries) were hit by a disaster (Covid-19), the hope is that the sense of invincibility typical of Western man will disappear, and that this 25experience will be a lesson not to continue with the shameful cuts to the public health system (in Italy).

25

06/10

m/40

Saitama

My worries about the respiratory illness of my elder brother in Cape Town

More time for work and a good opportunity to stop drinking alcohol

That the crisis will help the EU to implement the Green Deal.

26

06/10

f/10

Amsterdam

That I couldn’t go anywhere, like our trip to London and to the Harry Potter studio there

That I could sleep lonmger in the morning and go to bed later.

That a vaccine and a drug for Covid-19 will be found and that the economy gets going again

27

06/11

m/30

Curaçao

The hopelessness and loss of perspective at a time when we found ourselves without income or work.

The newfound time we could spend with the family: hiking, swimming diving, playing games, watching movies, etc.

That this makes the world better and healthier; that lessons will be learnt from this crisis.

28

06/11

f/30

Turin

The death of many people in the hospital without any possibility to say goodbye or to embrace them.

The opportunity to really spend time with loved ones

There is none, unless we learn to redistribute wealth differently and rethink our economic model.

29

06/12

f/50

Tokyo

The worst of the pandemic was not being able to see my family in Germany (because once you leave Japan, you are not allowed to return, even as resident!).

The best was to be able to spend lots of time with my son and to have movie nights together and play together.

I hope that priorities will change more permanently in societies globally: greater esteem for human interaction and freedom of movement.

30

06/12

m/10

Tokyo

adjusting to my school work and time management.

the time I was able to make to play with my friends online

I want to get back together with my friends and socialise.

31

06/13

m/20

Leipzig

The magnitude of fatalities worldwide while the pandemic was being trivialized by various political forces, most devastatingly in U.S. and Brazil.

The readiness of many people to display values such as humanity, solidarity, and the willingness to help and the associated willingness to take responsibility to preserve our freedom and the continued existence of our community.

That from a global perspective we will emerge stronger from this crisis economically and with regard to values and a shared sense of responsibility for one another, and that we will pass this experience on to future generations.

32

06/16

f/40

Luxembourg

The feeling of incarceration shortly before the “Confinement” (France) came into force as well as during the Confinement, the tremendous visibility of social gaps: confinement with or without garden, with or without job loss, with or without children in home schooling, with or without dependence on nursing care/social support …

To realize how adaptable and collegial colleagues, students and cooperating teachers are in teaching, a hard-hit research project, and in the university administration; gaining two hours daily not having to commute and seeing/ speaking friends who live far away more often.

New impulses through the by now normal use webex/zoom etc. at least for university teaching. I just don’t believe in hoping to change the world for the better.

33

06/17

m/70

Zurich

Although scientific circles had long pointed out the potential dangers of corona viruses, this insight did not lead to further deliberations or protective measures and hence the pandemic hit us unprepared and the outbreak was initially covered up and later played down again and again.

Together with the greatest commitment in nursing, solidarity, standing together and observance of the inevitable measures, the application of massive financial resources was able to avert a social standstill, new forms of communication with all the online concerts, lectures, and humorous sessions also playing a significant role.

Since a new crisis of a kind perhaps unknown today will arrive, perhaps in the distant future, appropriate options must be considered based on the relevant disciplines and covering political, economic, social, and ethical aspects drawing lessons not only from past crises.

34

06/17

m/90

Essen

Ongoing social isolation by prohibiting or restricting contact under official supervision.

A look into the psyche of people in the immediate environment who through their behaviour “unmasked” themselves.

That society draws lessons from the present crisis and develops behavioural norms which, in similar cases, enforce only what is strictly necessary without harming the personality.

35

06/17

m/60

Duisburg

To be forced to wear face masks in shops, public buildings, transportation (It is part of the human condition that you look each other in the face, even strangers, while shaking hands and hugging is not so fundamental.)

Not having to get up early in the morning, but, after a longish breakfast, to dawdle to the home office or to go on hikes in the area, and all of this with an unreduced salary (of course I know that many people weren’t in such a comfortable position)

That through widespread vaccination or eradication of the virus everything will be as before.

36

06/19

m/30

Düsseldorf

To tell our little children again and again over many weeks that they must not meet their friends or grandparents.

To see what we can cope with together as a family.

That what has been learned and lived through in terms of solidarity and mutual regard will be preserved afterwards.

37

05/25

m/60

Kolkata

In the countries where individualism has become a nearly invisible default, many old people died of Covid-19 and their immediate family mourned them, often sincerely and with the poignancy one would expect under the circumstances, but the manner of these deaths did not lead to a general realization in the able-bodied generations that society's bond with the elderly had snapped at a level that calls for a churning, a serious collective self-questioning.

People have realized that embedded in this crisis is some sort of urgent call to us all that must be heeded.

If the walls of middle-class complacency have indeed been breached, some reflection may continue even after the inevitable return to business as usual is put in place, and may lead to some action, in a direction that makes a planetary future conceivable, though with inevitably huge losses, on a scale comparable to that of the world wars, for it is already too late for the action that will prove feasible to be commensurate with the minimum that is needed, even if a great upsurge of goodwill and thoughtful behaviour does indeed come to pass. 

38

05/25

m/60

New York City

The worst has been the absence of national preparedness, responsibility, self-discipline, and humility.

The best has been the self-sacrificing actions of local healthcare workers and essential workers.

I hope for stronger human solidarity and decency, vigilance, and humility. 

39

05/26

m/70

Mitaka

I am a teacher dazed by the sudden demands of online technology, humiliated by my own incapability, ejected from my daily educational routine, distressed by the foolish behaviour of some governments toward their duty to citizens' public health, work and education.

I learned to bake bread from a recipe by my mother and shared time and food with my family which made me think about life and death and human value.

I hope to maintain the abnormal - to cleaner skies, to quieter cities, to lesser consumer frenzy - shopping-buying, to a less-car society, to cooperation between nations about public health, to learning from other societies about good practice.

40

05/26

f/40

Tokyo

That the financial support of small and medium sized companies that are the backbone of Japan’s economy was inadequate, leading to bankruptcies.

That even people who have never thought about politics have begun to think of politics as an “extension of their lives” thus encouraging to reconsider the question of compensation and to voice opposition against a government bill to extend the retirement age of prosecutors which would have endangered judicial independence in Japan.

rebuilding life

41

05/27

m/50

Brest

Seeing beliefs and habits that nobody would have questioned some months ago, fall into pieces.

To withstand adversity as a family

That we will be better prepared for the next virus, and that Americans will wake up and never vote for that clown again.

42

05/27

m/60

Nanjing

Many people died as a result of the authority’s cover up.

Many stood up and exposed the cover up.

I hope that there will be no more cover up.

43

05/28

m/60

Rio de Janeiro

Having to cut off and adapt your life plans.

More intense interaction with family at home, particularly my youngest son, who lives with us and needs loving attention now.

That all inspirational calls for increased cooperation and enhanced goodwill survive (and strengthen and consolidate) in practice.

44

05/28

m/50

Edinburgh

The pandemic and the follow-up lockdown triggered among my dearest and in me acute anxiety. Anxiety about uncertainty, or rather about the lottery of death foretold. For weeks on end it caused me to be short of breath, and time and again I thought I had already caught the virus, as one of the onset symptoms is breathlessness.

Spending so much time together with my family and the cat. Finding inventive ways to make this unexpected long time together fun. (Re)discovering ways of talking to one another in a meaningful, empathizing manner.

I can only hope that the new emerging 'normal' of working and contacting via an array of online devices will not impose on us a dystopia of constant government control. I experienced a semblance of it growing up in my youth in communist Poland. I would hate the possibility of having to live out my old age under a high-tech variety of such a thought-controlling and -stifling system.

45

05/28

m/60

Abijan

The worst was the obvious lack of preparedness on the part of public officials and the relaxed attitude of the general population who thought that this was the “Ebola” virus for Asia and the Western world.

The best was the family time afforded to us, and the realization that there is more to life than the everyday rat race. Also, the realization that all humans are equal, regardless of wealth, socioeconomic status, religion and race.

My personal hope for the future is that the lessons we collectively draw from this pandemic help make this small world a better place at the individual, community and global levels.

46

05/20

f/40

Helsinki

(Friday afternoon after a long and hectic working week) Worst: Lack of social contact in flesh and blood. Networking or contacts online cannot compensate for that, at least not in my generation...

Best: Back to simplicity! Suddenly the calendar is empty and there is no need to rush anywhere.

Hope for the future: That this "new normal" will be a stepping stone to a more sustainable lifestyle all over the world, particularly in these areas where we consume most.

47

05/27

m/60

Copenhagen

What do you mean, worst?

How do we know it's over yet?

Will those who inflicted this on us get their comeuppance?

48

05/30

m/60

Boston

Not being able to personally meet close friends, relatives, and colleagues for months.  Having been raised in the Middle East, physical contact with people--handshaking, hugging, social kissing--is a real need for me.

Being in touch with close friends, relatives, and colleagues frequently by telecommunication (Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, etc.).  With some of them I'm in closer contact now than I was before the epidemic.

My main hope is for the US to establish a national healthcare system, and to consider access to healthcare as a constitutional right, as it is in all civilized countries.  More globally, I hope that the WHO is strengthened by allowing all countries to join without discrimination, and is able to act completely free of geopolitical bias.

49

05/31

m/70

Copenhagen

in the beginning, the fear of infection (being in the age bracket). Then the restrictions of international travel (not being able to reach my second home in Berlin)

all the opera and theatre streaming available (although that’s very bad for the climate, too)

changing travel patterns: less by bus and plane, even train; more by car, at least for a while. Will I ever travel to Japan or Hong Kong again?

50

06/01

m/50

Toulouse

impossibility to see old people of my family

staying home quietly to rest, think and work

no different than before COVID: that we /people really understand the fragility of life and the earth...

51

06/01

m/80

New Delhi

loneliness

Helping hands

TRUTH

52

06/01

m/60

Tokyo

Not to go outside for playing tennis, not to meet friends for dinner, not to make a research trip, et cetera.

Nothing particularly.

Just return to the normal life.

53

05/31

f/30

Tokyo

When my family was hit hard (I wasn’t sure about my answer) this or no income!

Health!

I hope that the earth will be able to get back the nature, beauty, health, and that people will be able to retrieve human nature, a beautiful mind, health, and beautiful balance with the earth.

54

05/31

m/40

Tokyo

No income!

My children had no school and - living in the countryside - were playing outside every day. For the first time they realized, how beautiful and fun life could be.

My hope is that we give nature even more time to recover. Climate change is more dangerous than Covid-19. Let’s be more aware of Earth’s beauty and lead a peaceful happy life with respect towards nature, the earth and all her inhabitants. We also have to change our diet away from meat and phase out fossil fuels. Education is key, our children are the future!

55

06/02

f/40

Nanjing

Covid 19 was regarded as a political tool by some governments resulting in spiritual harm to people, which is even worse than physical harm by the virus itself.

Covid 19 slowed us down to check the problems of social and economic development and to rethink what is the right way toward modern civilization.

That different peoples live in harmony and are in harmony with nature.

56

06/03

m/60

Nijmegen

The worst over the past two months was that we couldn't see (except by skype) and hug our children and grandchildren.

We had a lot of time and felt more like 'pensionados' than ever before: we did a lot of walking and saw Spring arrive and develop over time.

My hope is that moving out of this crisis we make a few extra steps towards a sustainable future; my fear is that people will move in the opposite direction out of sheer desperation.

57

06/03

m/70

Lancaster

Realising that the government had no idea how to protect us, and I might be faced with the choice of exposing myself to the virus, which in my case is likely to kill me, or staying safe at home and going without food.

Having unexpected extra time with my children.

A fairer and more sustainable world for future generations.

58

05/27

m/60

Antwerp

The cancellation of a trip I had been looking forward to -- my first to West Africa.

Gained time to concentrate on things too long delayed.

The downfall of politicians who completely mismanaged this crisis (in line with their mismanagement of lots of other things at other times ...)

59

06/05

m/70

Santa Barbara

Seeing the enormous (and for the most part unnecessary) number of deaths and turmoil in my country, the inept, politically-focused, and socially uncaring ways the White House has dealt with the planning, hardships, and management of the virus, the belligerence and irresponsible ways so so many the Unmasked and socially NON-distancing conduct themselves, and extraordinary toll it has taken on the resilience of ethnic minorities, medical staff, and essential workers.

Connecting much more and getting MUCH closer with family, friends and neighbors than ever before (because of zoom), seeing heroic altruism and generosity in many quarters, and the temporary loss of 50% of my professional responsibilities (policing) allowing me to focus on, in invaluably less stressful way, important writing projects and deadlines.

Hopes for the future?

Are for an effective, widely-available vaccine quicker than predicted, with employment and international travel picking back up hugely, and our learning about how to invest money and energy planning for and tackling inevitable viruses in the future.

60

06/05

f/50

Johannesburg

During the Covid-19 lock down period that started on 26 March 2020 in South Africa, the worst for me was worrying about how people lock down if they do not have a home at all or live in informal housing. And how people survive who already are terribly poor and who lose the ability to move around to access any funds during lock down (e.g. via asking people at the gates of homes in suburbs or on the street for contributions).

I am in the privileged position to continue to work productively from home, spend more time than usual with my wonderful family in our comfortable home, and to enjoy the deliberate slowing down and simplification of life in general. Being locked down raised my mindfulness and my appreciation for the privileges that I am surrounded with overall. 

When the Covid-19 lock down period in South Africa ends, I hope that working from home would continue for the professions where this is possible and I hope that we find ways to change the nature of economic activity so that smaller meaningful gatherings in society and at the workplace become the norm and bigger mass events become fewer.

61

06/06

m/50

Tokyo

Losing the chances for domestic and international business trips and the vacations.

Having plenty of times, focusing on writing the articles and the paper.

No anxiety to visit domestic and abroad, ordinary life again.

62

06/06

m/60

Breda

That the whole world was upset, that the world is so fragile, that so many people lost their jobs and income.

That, as pensioner I no longer had any appointments with other people and an empty agenda, leaving me free to do what I wanted.

That the neoliberal financial model becomes less dominant and that a social sense of community gets a more prominent place (but I don’t expect this to happen).

63

06/06

f/50

Maputo

The realization that we are not in control; that we cannot make any plans; that we are like a drop of water in the big ocean? And also realizing that we are not really free to come and go anymore, as we were used to? The apparent cancellation of our individual liberties and freedoms because now the government decides for us? The closing of borders? The fear that things are never going to be the same? That globalization has been cancelled? And in "Latino"-influenced cultures like ours, that our customary cheek kisses have died out.

For Universities in this part of the globe, the realization that while some of us are able to find virtual/remote alternatives for the face-to-face classes, such as Google Classroom/Zoom, etc., the large majority of our students do not have access to a working internet and, hence, are somehow being excluded; the realization that we are faking it?

I don't really know! That we have had the time to stop and think? And reflect on our lives? We have had the time to pause and listen to the birds outside our windows/our balconies, time to look at the sky and the sea?

That the borders reopen soon; that "globalisation" is not cancelled and that we regain 'control' over our lives; that this does not happen again?!

64

06/06

m/70

Bristol

The worst for me is the fear of losing my life to the virus being over seventy with a heart and lung condition, and having a miserable painful death with no medical staff able to help me.

Through the upheaval a new beginning I become more focussed with fresh thoughts and ideas in a potential clearer cleaner world.

That the scientists create a vaccine for us all and that the experience of the pandemic will make people more thoughtful and kind.

65

06/07

m/50

Tokyo

Fear. I did not know when and how you got infection.

I found more time to write my papers.

Back to normal! I would like to go visit places and meet people.

66

06/07

f/30

Yokohama

For me, it is the worst thing that I could not enjoy eating out and talking with my best friends.

It is the best thing that I noticed the importance of the time with my family which I have neglected because of my stressful work.

I want to do something to improve the reality of a sad world that is impressed by the new Corona virus.

67

06/08

m/40

Barcelona

I was not free to visit my family, go out, spend my time, etc., etc... But all of this due to the restrictions, rather than my own choice

I had time to think and think about "existential" questions. The meaning of life, work, capitalist society, world society...

The welfare State must be reinforced. Neoliberal economy and ideology have to be rethought... It is unacceptable for us to live in this unequal world...

68

06/09

m/30

Saskatchewan

being unable to visit family (who live overseas) and seeing some friends and family take on fairly radical political stances in response to the broader social and economic impact.

Being able to spend more time at home with my partner.

I hope that physical contact and social proximity will not become taboo.

69

06/09

m/30

Toronto

The internal stress / anxiousness and resentment I feel when someone walks too close to me, or generally doesn’t respect social distancing. It’s sad to harbour such negative emotions towards others, whom I typically try to love.

The derailment of life momentum (cancellation of all work-related obligations) to have time to put all activities in perspective. Also, CERB¹ has been nice.

__

¹ [Canada Emergency Response Benefit]

Humans have learned contentedness to be where they are with what they have, and with that will consume experience at a more reasonable pace, for the benefit of the ecology of the planet (and thus the sustained health of humans)

70

06/30

f/60

Düsseldorf

The images from the hot spots of the pandemic – northern Italy, New York, Brazil – the overwhelming of the hospital staff there, mass transport of corpses

A seven-week break on Norderney and the privilege of enjoying the quiet seclusion there – together with my husband

That the experience with the pandemic will make us deal with climate change more properly.

71

06/10

m/60

Saskatchewan

worrying about the health and safety of my family, friends, coworkers, and the community I serve.

witnessing innovative ways of working remotely that may change the way we perceive the work environment in order to enhance the quality of life.

that we appreciate our relationships more than ever and view our face to face interactions with family, friends, and community as a gift that should not be squandered.

72

06/30

f/40

Munich

Uncertainty with regard to schools because of Germany’s federal system. Some decisions seem to be motivated politically rather than by medical considerations.

Definitely the sensation of looking at an agenda that no longer filled up, but in the contrary got emptier by the day.

that we can take the credo of these days "flexibility and creativity" (as my dean put it repeatedly) with us into the post-Covid era. It seems to me that with that we can all live a little happier because more freely.

73

06/10

m/60

Cape Town

Seeing the poor and unemployed struggling to cope without other people in public spaces.

Hearing the birds singing loudly amid clean air and quiet streets.

Greater respect for all workers, especially health workers, amidst reduction of the under-employed...

74

06/09

m/50

Tarragona

There is evidence of lack of security for any bacteriological war (Connected to U. Beck Risk Society). Globalization increases health risk.

Increase of solidarity bounds among population. For example, it has increased the sense of community in Spain, in spite of the independence movement in Catalonia. People that were divided among nationalisms  became united during the lockdown period.

No hope, but only fear, see email 09/06/2020

75

06/10

f/60

Enkhuizen

my parents, both in their nineties, who were locked up inside their care home and nobody being able to visit them for several months.

the sense of connection and mutual support among people that seemed to go stronger during the lock down measures.

I hope for increasing connection and solidarity between individuals, communities and countries, and also for more radical policies relating to environmental sustainability.

76

06/10

m/50

Tilburg

The feeling of isolation and uncertainty was the worst

Spending much more time with my kernel family.

I hope humanity derives the relevant lessons to consume less and damage the environment less.

77

77. 06/10

m/50

Shanghai

The Worst thing was social distance had seriously limited personal freedom.

The best thing was people in China basically obeyed the social distancing order from the government.

The world could be united to solve this virus.

78

06/11

m/40

Hong Kong

to feel prisoner of a limited geographic space; not good when one’s profession relies on travelling.

impossibly overcrowded streets became eerily - and very enjoyably – deserted, excessive consumerism retreated into a dark corner, and air pollution levels dramatically declined.

That mankind will have acknowledged the long-term environmental benefits of ‘slowing down’ and that those who grabbed more power on the back of COVID will soon be put back in their place.

79

06/11

m/40

Paris

Not being able to move freely; impossibility to swim or to play tennis; not to meet my friends for real

to be with my family and to take care of my son (4 years old); to observe the solidarity towards hospital people and others

It is an opportunity to learn how to slow down, to respect each other and to respect Mother Earth;

however, I am not so optimistic about our ability to change our model

80

06/11

f/30

Melbourne

I'm troubled by the 'Let's blame China' discourse.

I'm healthy.

I hope there would be more understanding and less hostility in the world.

81

07/11

f/20

Berlin

that my state examination was in the balance for weeks and I was not sure until a week before the date whether it would take place.

Spending much time at home with the family

That lessons will be drawn for the future and we will be better prepared for comparable situations in the future.

82

06/11

m/30

Vancouver

Not being able to support a family friend who lost their father because we could not gather.

forced to stay home for work

keep high risk populations isolated. Be more comfortable with death and dying. Implement the same tactics and precautions during flu season as they did with covid.

83

06/11

f/30

Ankara

not having the chance to meet my family due to travel restrictions between the cities.

working at home without wasting time in traffic.

that all the teachers and workers in different institutions will learn how to use online technology effectively.

84

06/12

m/60

Melbourne

My bike got caught in tramlines and I came crashing down at speed -- the helmet saved my life.

I discovered the pleasures of riding a bicycle for 20 km by the side of rivers -- we were allowed to go outside for exercise.

Bike lanes so I can ride to work without getting killed.

85

06/15

m/70

Tokyo

That the Japanese government did not take appropriate measures, and as a result some people fell ill or died and others lost their economic existence.

Not having to use crowded trains.

That the Japanese people will take this as an opportunity to shift to a more relaxed work and life style.

86

06/17

m/60

London

Not being able to socialise with friends and colleagues in person.

Not battling on London public transport.

Nations cooperate to protect the environment and fight diseases for common humanity.

87

06/18

m/20

Shanghai

that I couldn't travel around and meet my friends offline as usual.

that I could find inner peace and focus on writing my thesis.

that the epidemic may quickly vanish and every aspect in our lives will return back to normal

88

06/18

m/60

Oxford

Apart from the tragic deaths and chronic health problems with which I fear many people will be left, it was the sense of powerlessness to plan because of uncertainty about the shape of the world to come.

Spending time with family; my adult daughter spent about two months at home during lockdown which was valuable quality family time.

That the discovery that it is possible to invest huge resources in an emergency - that there is a 'magic money tree' - will be transferred to dealing with the facing environmental catastrophe.

89

06/19

f/50

The Hague

Not being able to visit family and dear friends (for this is different from speaking via telephone or FaceTime).

Spending more time at home and despite the fact that the workload wasn’t less, a feeling of unwinding because you no longer had to run and fly from one appointment to another.

That we will live a little more sustainably, fly less, work from home more, enjoy little things in your immediate environment, and keep looking after each other.

90

06/20

f/50

Nicosia

that, in order to comply with the regulations brought about by this new situation, we had to question our way of living and everyday practices, how we behaved with friends and family, with our students also.

that, because we had to question our way of being, we realised that many of the things we used to do were superfluous and unnecessary and that we had to go back to more essential ways of thinking and behaving as parents, friends, teachers, human beings.

that what we went through will be a testament to our resilience as human beings and that it will help us revise the way we consider other people, other species, nature, the Earth. I hope also that this was not the beginning of a new era.

91

06/20

m/10

Paris

Not being able to go out with my friends.

Papa’s goo cooking.

The sea (rather than a second wave)

92

06/22

f/40

Bologna

To see that many governments have dealt with the pandemic in national, indeed in nationalistic terms (Italy included)

Having been put in a state, during the exceptional silence made possible by the lockdown in some areas, of being able to actually perceive the breath of the earth.

Being able to restart according to new objectives and principles of collective life, to create a better “normal” that reconciles human life with nature.

93

06/23

f/30

Barcelona

The pushing, constant feeling that my body and mind will collapse at any unexpected time of the day or the night while trying to be an academic mother; the general feeling of unhealthiness and unwellness and the alarming attitude of 'move on, move on, you will stop to think about all this later on, it is not now time to catch your breath'

Getting to know unknown parts of myself that I do not like, like my attitudes, limits, my reactions, and my expectations and, on the one hand, living, breathing, and learning from, my daughter and experiencing a new feeling of fulfilment and connection.

Actually, it is just a feeling of a 'here-and-now' emergency 'recovery' (of my family, my energy, my smile), so I do not buy discourses about 'all of this has made us better' -- I have indeed really actually learned a lot but, so far, I just wish to find the tools and strategies to leave this unwellness aside.

94

06/25

f/30

Santa Teresa

Seeing people die without having their loved ones next to them

Encouraging digitalization and computer literacy we have given a strong boost to e-commerce and launched smart working and e-learning, as in modern countries

Let’s hope that the world will restart with an economy that is more sustainable and greener.

95

06/26

f/20

Munich

Loneliness and lack of physical closeness to loved ones

The time you had for yourself and your thoughts, and the feeling not to miss anything when you stay home Saturday night.

That we will maintain the solidarity we have seen in society during the Corona period, and that I will remember how much happiness there is in small things

96

07/01

f/30

Barcelona

Getting nervous when I see some thoughtless people who do not respect the rules (usually I can't stand this kind of people, but recently I'm even less tolerant with them...)

To be able to spend much more time with my son and my husband and thus helping to improve my son's Japanese skills

Now we have to fight together to defeat that invisible enemy, COVID-19, but I saw some (or many) selfish people who did not care about that. On the other hand, I also saw many people who respected the rule for the good of all. I think that in a situation like the one we are living in today, people reveal their true colour... I hope that people respect each other in many senses to make a world less stressful.

97

07/02

m/20

Oxford

Not being able to meet with friends spontaneously and thus getting lonely.

Taking walks in the botanical garden with my girlfriend

That, in the new light of the crisis, we will continue better to appreciate the times we spend together in one place

98

07/02

m/30

Suzhou

That I constantly needed to get quarantined, as I travelled before the outbreak and changed my job afterwards

That I get to stay home with a legitimate excuse.

a. We can recover from this epidemic globally and no restrictions will be placed on travel. b. Maybe how the flow of people from one place to another is recorded and monitored, and self-report your whereabouts and recent doings will continue (this is not what I hope for the future, just a feeling that this provides opportunities for more strict government control).

99

06/30

m/20

Munich

The social distancing that had become necessary, which severely limited psychologically important contacts.

That consumption which during the past years had become more and more uninhibited at the expense of the environment was temporarily moderated.

That similar accidents don’t happen again and that the current crisis will be used as an opportunity for more rapid progress toward an economy that reconciles growth and prosperity with the protection of the environment.

100

06/30

m/80

Rotterdam

meaningless suffering

enjoying life while contributing to some other good cause

To secure my intellectual heritage and step out of life when my illness (Kahler disease) makes life dissatisfying.

101

07/01

f/40

Auckland

The daily confrontation with the randomness of death.

Gaining access to the technology needed to work from home and the right to do so.

Greater choice in how and where people are able to live (and work) through continued and improved access to technology.