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HEALTH

What’s it like sharing a flat in Germany during the coronavirus pandemic?

We all have to spend more time at home to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. But what's that like if you're flatsharing with others who are not family? This is what it's like for a group of German students.

Published: 31 March 2020 11:11 CEST
What's it like sharing a flat in Germany during the coronavirus pandemic?
An uplifting sign on the window of a Munich flat. Photo: DPA

There's group yoga in the morning, homemade pizza at night and always someone with toilet paper. For six
German students in a Dortmund flat, the COVID-19 lockdown has its upsides.

With no classes to attend and their social lives interrupted, four young women and two men sharing a three-bedroom flat are suddenly enjoying a lot of quality time, as they join millions of Germans in staying home to slow the pandemic.

“I'm so glad I don't live alone right now, the walls would be closing in on me,” said 22-year-old IT student Thilo.

“There's always something to do here,” his girlfriend Lana, 21, agreed.

On Friday, the gang gathered in the kitchen to make pizza from scratch, everyone contributing ingredients. Afterwards, they watched a movie beamed onto their living room wall.

As many universities have delayed the start of their semesters, the flatmates have been able to dedicate plenty of down-time to honing their video game skills, with “Mario Kart” a group favourite.

Large jigsaw puzzles and board games have also helped while away the hours.

And when Celine's pixie cut needed a trim, Rike gave it her best shot, turning the kitchen into a makeshift salon.

Keen to keep fit despite the gym being closed, the group have started doing morning yoga sessions together.

“That's been a new discovery for us,” said Thilo.

READ ALSO: What's the latest on coronavirus in Germany and what do I need to know?

People have been playing musical instruments from their windows, like this family in Frankfurt Oder. Photo: DPA

The chore schedule has gone out the window meanwhile, written for a different era when people weren't inside all day.

Cleaning up after yourself and keeping the shared spaces tidy has become more important, Thilo explained. “But at least we can talk things out right away since we're all here.”

After more than three years in the flatshare, Thilo said he already knew his friends quite well. But the lockdown combined with all the free time has clearly exposed the early birds and the night owls.

“Some days I've been up for three hours before anyone else has even got out of bed,” he laughed.

And while the rest of the nation has frantically stocked up on toilet paper, the housemates in Dortmund had a different priority.

“We're not too worried about toilet paper, we should have enough for now. But we have one flatmate who loves eating pasta so we rushed out to buy a couple of extra packs,” said Thilo.

READ ALSO: Which parts of Germany are worst affected by coronavirus?

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HEALTH

Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

It’s back again: amid sinking temperatures, the incidence of Covid-19 has been slowly rising in Germany. But is this enough to merit worrying about the virus?

Published: 20 September 2023 12:05 CEST
Updated: 20 September 2023 22:22 CEST
Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

More people donning face masks in supermarkets, friends cancelling plans last minute due to getting sick with Covid-19. We might have seen some of those familiar reminders recently that the coronavirus is still around, but could there really be a resurgence of the virus like we experienced during the pandemic years?

According to virologists, the answer seems to be ‘maybe’: since July, the number of people newly infected with Covid-19 has been slowly rising from a very low level.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), nine people per 100,000 inhabitants became newly infected in Germany last week. A year ago, there were only around 270 reported cases.

Various Corona variants are currently on the loose in the country. According to the RKI,  the EG.5 (also called Eris) and XBB.1.16 lines were each detected in the week ending September 3rd with a share of just under 23 percent. 

The highly mutated variant BA.2.86 (Pirola), which is currently under observation by the World Health Organisation (WHO), also arrived in the country this week, according to RKI. 

High number of unreported case

The RKI epidemiologists also warned about a high number of unreported cases since hardly any testing is done. They pointed out that almost half of all registered sewage treatment plants report an increasing viral load in wastewater tests.

The number of hospital admissions has also increased slightly, but are still a far cry from the occupation rate amid the pandemic. Last week it was two per 100,000 inhabitants. In the intensive care units, only 1.2 percent of all beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients.

Still, a good three-quarters (76.4 percent) of people in Germany have been vaccinated at least twice and thus have basic immunity, reported RKI. 

Since Monday, doctors’ offices have been vaccinating with the adapted vaccine from Biontech/Pfizer, available to anyone over 12 years old, with a vaccine for small children set to be released the following week and one for those between 5 and 11 to come out October 2nd.

But Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has so far only recommended that people over 60 and those with pre-existing conditions get vaccinated.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Who should get a Covid jab this autumn in Germany?

“The pandemic is over, the virus remains,” he said. “We cannot predict the course of coming waves of corona, but it is clear that older people and people with pre-existing conditions remain at higher risk of becoming severely ill from Covid-19”

The RKI also recommended that people with a cold voluntarily wear a mask. Anyone exhibiting cough, cold, sore throat or other symptoms of a respiratory illness should voluntarily stay at home for three to five days and take regular corona self-tests. 

However, further measures such as contact restrictions are not necessary, he said.

One of many diseases

As of this autumn, Covid-19 could be one of many respiratory diseases. As with influenza, there are no longer absolute infection figures for coronavirus.

Saarbrücken pharmacist Thorsten Lehr told German broadcaster ZDF that self-protection through vaccinations, wearing a mask and getting tested when symptoms appear are prerequisites for surviving the Covid autumn well. 

Only a new, more aggressive mutation could completely turn the game around, he added.

On April 7th of this year, Germany removed the last of its over two-year long coronavirus restrictions, including mask-wearing in some public places.

READ ALSO: German doctors recommend Covid-19 self-tests amid new variant

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