How COVID19 Changed Our Life!

About the COVID19 pandemic and its consequences Learners 'and Teachers 'Reports: How COVID-19 Has Changed Our Lives Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership: Culture and Arts: Bridges to Solidarity Project Number: 2019-1-DE02-KA204-006113

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Why These Reports?  During the time of the pandemic which started in Europe in March 2019, learners and teachers had to face lots of challenges.  As time was passing, we had to realise that the impact of the pandemic on our daily life was serious, and that people of all ages were suffering a lot under the measures taken by our national governments.  It was like falling in a deep sleep for months.  The lack of personal encounters, of social intercourse, even of family gatherings had profound consequences on people´s mood and health.  We asked learners and teachers to send us short reports about what consequences the pandemic had on them. Here is a collection of narratives.

9/26/21

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Report by Sabrina Porterfield / Kuopio/ Finland (1) Some years back I contracted the H1N1 flu and while I wasn’t hospitalized, I was quite ill for two weeks and it took me a good two months before I felt normal again. It was then that I realized that influenza – the real deal, not just a normal winter cold – was quite a serious disease. I was grateful that I lived in a modern country with modern medicine and healthcare.

When I first heard about the Corona virus, I wasn’t all that alarmed. After all, I lived in a modern country with modern medicine and healthcare, right? And it wasn’t like the Spanish Flu Pandemic in 1919 which took the lives of my great-grandmother, her father, and her youngest daughter.

Yes, influenza could claim lives, but surely this wasn’t any worse than any of the other influenza strains we’d had in the past twenty years or so.

I was wrong, of course, just like most of the rest of the world. The reality was much worse. I read the news about China, about Italy, about the United States, where all my friends and family still live. On my own I purchased masks for myself and my children and told them that we all had to use them when we went out and that we had to practice careful handwashing hygiene. We got a lot of strange and even sometimes hostile looks when we went about our business, masks on, in early 2020. Most people I spoke to dismissed it or downplayed it, sure that we’d be safe in our modern country.

I wasn’t so sure, and masks seemed a small price to pay for safety.

Slowly, things started to change here in Finland. The government put measures into place; all schools were transferred to distance learning, public gatherings were limited, and travel restrictions were put into place as well. Nothing as drastic as it was in southern Europe, for example, but even still many people chafed at what restrictions there were and dismissed the threat.

Before the government put restrictions into force, I started to do research on how I could hold my own classes online. I teach English as a second language to adults at our local community college; I have discussion courses as well as cooking courses and I tried to think of ways I could move the classes online where my students could continue to learn and thrive.

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Report by Sabrina Porterfield / Kuopio / Finland (2) To that extent I downloaded some apps and started to teach myself how to use them. (Including calling myself with my phone to my PC to make sure I was doing it correctly and I even made my children act as my guinea pigs!) I made some mistakes but kept going. When the notification came down from the government that our classes could no longer be held in regular classrooms, I was ready. My classes didn’t need to be cancelled; instead, we could move them online.

Many of my students were not as ready I was. Quite a few of them were very reluctant to go online; they were concerned that they couldn’t learn the software/apps, that we wouldn’t be able to actually have discussion groups online, that they wouldn’t be able to learn anything new. I kept myself positive and gently encouraged them to give it a try, even holding an unofficial session where they could practice logging in with the app and seeing how it worked before they had to do it for the class itself.

We made plenty of mistakes; students logged off accidently (and once I accidently shut the entire session down!) and I fumbled with some of the new tech, and I had to teach them how to turn their microphones on and off (one of my students was watching the news on their television at the same time as our class) but we persevered with humor and patience. They wanted to learn, and I wanted to teach them! As we kept going, we discovered together how to manage our classes and they were full of suggestions on how to improve them as well. One of my most reluctant students even declared that they thought online classes were better than having them in the classroom! (I ran a victory lap around my home at that one.)

Things worked out so well with our online classes that I will be offering some going forward regardless of Finland’s Covid situation.

I can’t say that I have enjoyed our global pandemic, but I do try to find the positive in most things and I certainly found a positive here. Teaching online offers many possibilities, especially here in Finland where harsh weather can determine whether students can attend an in-person course.

Teaching online allows students to receive instruction if they are home, traveling or spending time at one of their idyllic summer cottages in the countryside. It allows us to easily access the internet for backup material and everyone can wear comfortable clothes, drink a cup of coffee, and show off their cats to the rest of the class. There’s a wonderful feeling of intimacy that we found online together and that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Covid kicked a lot of us into the future (some with a little more force than others) and for better or for worse, we won’t be going back. We’ll keep moving forward with what we’ve experienced and learned about ourselves and the rest of the world. What more can a teacher hope for than that?

Picture: H. Sajons

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Report by Marja-Leena/ Kuopio / Finland (1) First news about new coronavirus found in China were mentioned in January 2020 at Yle, the Finnish broadcasting company. The virus was found in Wuhan, some cases. The virus was probably originating from open markets for wild animals.

At first virologists were telling that this might be just a new virus that is spreading in China as many others before and we in Nordic countries have nothing to worry. On the other hand, our virologists and epidemiologists had assumed that sooner or later a new virus will threaten the globe. Could this be the one.

Towards the end of January Helsingin Sanomat magazine was already reporting about the new type of coronavirus spreading from Wuhan to Asian countries as well as USA and Canada. Then our specialists started to report that it might be more serious case than provisionally have been thought.

One Chinese lady had got fever during her holidays in Lapland, and it appeared to be Coronavirus to cause Covid-19. Finland had got its first case at the end of January. Then preparations started seriously in Finland.

We couldn’t anticipate what was to come.

So far life had been normal, with all activities, restaurants, theatres, family festivities etc. Week eight schools had winter holidays in Southern Finland and many families travelled to ski to the Alps, Austria, France etc. After that season infections started to burst out.

Middle of March lockdown started in Europe. Our government gave a strong recommendation for elderly people and persons having high risk to stay at home to protect them from virus. Then I and my husband were isolated from contacts. We couldn’t see our closest family, even our grandchildren. Foodstuffs were bought by my niece or ordered through web shop.

At 28th of March Southern Finland was completely isolated from other parts of our country. Police and army were controlling these boarders. This was most shocking experience of my lifetime. This isolation was maintained three weeks.

Part of our relatives were on the wrong side of the border. So was our summer cottage. Luckily, we have had nice possibilities to walk around in our hometown and in the neighbouring forests. We are now two in the family, so it hasn’t been that bad as for those who live alone. Also videophones have kept us alive when ”seeing” family and friends. More time was used for reading books and also movies were seen more than usually through net as well as screenplays of different kind.

Picture: H. Sajons

9/26/21

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Report by Marja-Leena/ Kuopio / Finland (2) Negative impact was of course that our English course was stopped totally in spring, and we couldn’t see colleagues anymore. Graduation parties were not held at the end of schoolyear, and we missed big family event. Of course, this was even worse to the young ones because it is the big event for them.

During summer infection rates were so low that almost normal life was possible for us. Finland has been quite successful in protecting people from the virus maybe because of our culture. It’s typical to keep distance and we are not so much hugging even relatives. We could spend time with our grandchildren, went swimming with them. We also spent time at our summer cottage, going to sauna and swimming, picking berries and mushrooms and having really life outdoors, collecting energy for autumn. Then we didn’t know yet that we would be closed again from contacts.

Good thing was that practises where already there; masks and disinfection liquids, washing hands maybe twenty times a day, zoom lessons and screenplays. It was a lot of time to read books and see films trough net more often than before. During winter there was a lot of space to ski and skate near home.

Media has been frustrating because there has been too much only news around coronavirus both in TV and newspapers. Of course, we follow statistics of the world, more closely our country, our own town and near to our relatives. So far, all the people who work with patients of all kind don’t have yet their first vaccination and that gives worries also for my family. People have difficulties to understand the varying restrictions and it is hard time for young people especially.

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We’ve got now first vaccination and it gives us hope for the future even if new mutations of the virus give some worries. The second dose will be given in one or two months. It seems so that infection rates are slowly coming down in Finland.

So, my family and I, we look forward to summer with hopeful feelings.

9/26/21

Compte-rendu – Sabine S. / Olching / Allemagne

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Comment le COVID 19 a changé ma vie Mon premier souvenir de Corona a été un message entendu pendant les informations où on parlait d´une maladie pulmonaire causée par un virus à Wuhan, en Chine.

Je crois que je me trouvais à la maison et, en ce temps-là, je n‘ avais pas réfléchi à la signification globale de cet événement.

Le confinement limite fortement ma liberté de mouvement habituelle, car je ne peux plus faire les activités que je faisais avant la pandémie. Normalement, grâce à mes différentes activités, je suis en contact avec beaucoup de gens. Ça me manque beaucoup.

Comme je ne travaille pas, je n‘ai aucune restriction dans ce domaine.

Au début de la pandémie, j‘étais très confiante qu‘il ne s‘agirait que d‘un problème temporaire.

Mais, quand le premier confinement a été décrété et qu‘on ne pouvait plus rencontrer des gens en dehors de son foyer, j‘ai réalisé que la vie et tout ce qui y appartient, n‘est pas une évidence. L‘idée que ce qui est habituel, ne sera plus ou du moins sera diffèrent à l‘avenir, me rend triste.

Pour moi, l‘enseignement en ligne n‘est pas un problème, mais le cours en présence est plus amusant. Le travail et les échanges avec des partenaires me manquent.

Picture: Ricarda Weiß

Je crains que les relations entre les gens ne soient plus aussi solides qu‘avant la pandémie. Il s‘agit donc de trouver une nouvelle forme de vie commune au niveau social et au niveau civil.

Juin 2020

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Compte-rendu – Christine B. / Olching / Allemagne 8 Comment le COVID 19 a changé ma vie

Juin 2020

Mon premier souvenir était un petit article dans le journal quotidien d’une nouvelle maladie pulmonaire en Chine. Le virus y était décrit comme étant très agressif et dangereux.

Je me trouvais dans un salon de coiffure quand j’ai entendu l‘information qu’un employé d’une entreprise près de Munich avait été infecté par une collègue chinoise et qu´il se trouvait à l’hôpital. Même à ce moment, personne n’a pensé aux effets dévastateurs de ce virus sur le monde entier.

Les premiers impacts furent les situations folles dans les supermarchés et les centres commerciaux et le comportement des gens qui faisaient des provisions de nourriture ce qui a causé des scènes incroyables.

Le confinement a conduit à beaucoup de restrictions dans la vie individuelle et la vie commune. Il a réduit les contacts et les activités à un minimum: il était impossible de faire la plupart des activités, de faire du sport en groupe, de rencontrer des amis, de voyager, d’aller au restaurant, au cinéma, au théâtre ou au concert. Je crois qu’il est très difficile d’accepter que notre vie a changé complètement.

Je n’ai pas de restrictions professionnellement car je suis retraitée.

De la confiance vers l’impuissance Les premières semaines de la pandémie tout le monde a contribué à lutter contre les phénomènes de cette catastrophe. Tout était complètement inconnu, personne ne savait que faire, comment agir ou réagir. Mais, après le premier confinement, pendant l’été 2020, on pouvait gagner l’impression que le pire était passé. Les gens étaient si insouciants et négligents comme s’il n’y avait jamais eu une pandémie.

Et, avec le deuxième confinement, on a commencé à comprendre que notre vie sera différente à l´avenir, même si la fin des restrictions vient un jour.

L’enseignement en ligne est un problème pour moi parce que je n’ai pas l’équipement technique pour le faire.

Je préfère le cours en présence, c’est plus intéressant et motivant. Le travail en groupe, l´échange d´ idées, l’expérience, la communication directe avec les partenaires, les gestes, la mimique, les réactions spontanées, le sourire des partenaires et professeurs, tout ça me manque beaucoup.

9/26/21 J’espère que tout le monde va profiter des expériences faites pendant la pandémie. Trouver de nouvelles formes de relations entre les gens, changer et améliorer quelques aspects de nos vies personnelles et intensifier les relations positives avec les personnes qui accompagnent nos vies.

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Report from Asturias – Dolores F. C. /Spain (1) No one, absolutely no one could have foreseen the situation caused by this hideous, deadly virus.

This time last year, I was looking forward to travelling to Lisbon with my husband during the Carnival Break, I was worried about what to cook for lunch the next day or whether my twin girls would get good marks.

Looking back, it all seems so nonsensical! And now? Well! Now, I look forward to getting home and taking off my mask, I worry about having enough hand sanitizer gel and about my family keeping safe and healthy.

When Covid-19 first struck our lives, I had just returned from Lisbon. One of the first patients to enter the ICU in our region was a local writer who had just been to a book fair in Lisbon. He was our first victim. Many more followed.

On the 13th March 2020, after giving the school staff some instructions with the latest restrictions, I called my husband. I called for no special reason, and I will never forget his voice, he sounded different. He told me that the Government had announced a complete lockdown in the coming hours. I did not panic. I left the school and instead of going home, I went to the supermarket. Nope! I did not buy toilet paper! Funnily enough, I bought napkins. https://de.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Asturien

Then, came the lockdown. At first it was great. A kind of holiday. If you can’t go out, you relax. I wore my jammies around the house and changed into my night jammies to go to bed. Birthdays came and went. We did what we could with video conferences, and we even decorated the living room and made special menus.

Presents were not important, just enjoying each other was enough. Online classes were fun. I wore a nice top for the camera with my track suit pants.

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Report from Asturias – Dolores F. C. /Spain (2) Lessons were challenging but learners needed to be in touch with reality and seeing each other in class helped. It was a window to the outside world.

However, after some time the situation became insufferable. My family needed fresh air and yet we were scared of the monster outside the door. It turned into a kind of psychosis that we eventually had to overcome.

Spaniards talk about a “new” normality. We are slowly acknowledging the fact that facial masks are here to stay, at least for the immediate future. Social distancing is a must whether we like it or not and being careful is necessary. I sometimes feel like I’m dodging bullets that will, almost inevitably, hit my family, my friends or myself. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but ….

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Coronavirus has taught us many a lesson. We are not the owners of the planet.

We are not invincible; in fact, we are fragile. Right now, while expecting the third or the fourth or whatever wave, we realize that survival is a question of teamwork. The vaccine? It will help, but it is ultimately up to us.

I am hopeful. I have to be hopeful. We will beat this virus; we will be able to hug and kiss and smile. Yes, we will!

Asturias, Spain January 2021

9/26/21

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Report by Celia´s English Learners / Olching / Germany (1) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES Corona has affected our lives so much changing our everyday routine. I miss having regular contact with our grandson and not being able to go to cafes and restaurants.

I used to spend my afternoons mostly relaxing, reading newspapers or meeting friends.

But now in the springs it will be better because the weather is getting warmer and we can surely ride our bikes and hopefully, without Corona, I can go paddling in Ruder Regatta.

Rainer Grimmer Corona led me to more rest, relaxation and recovery. Nevertheless, the situation is very worrying.

I miss very much the meetings I used to have, especially with my children.

I hope so much that this pandemic will soon be over in the whole world!

Rosi Grimmer

English class english clip art clipart download WikiClipArt 9/26/21

Report by Celia´s English Learners (2) 12

HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES Some things I usually did are not possible at the moment: For example: · meeting friends in a restaurant · relaxing in the sauna and swimming pool · training in the fitness-studio - singing in the church choir · travelling to distant countries.

But there are also positive effects: · I keep in closer contact with my son and granddaughters.

- I do gymnastics almost every day in front of the television with Youtube.

- Now I can take part in a “zoom”-meeting. · I go for long walks with my husband. We´ve already discovered nice trails and places in the near neighbourhood.

I want to avoid getting infected with corona, so I try to adhere strictly to the restrictions.

I am angry about the people who deny corona.

http://www.clipartpanda.com/cat egories/owl-writing-clip-art

But I think and hope that by summer 2021 the pandemic will be over.

Annemarie Putzer

9/26/21

Report by Celia´s English Learners (3) 13

HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES During the pandemic my husband and I moved from Japan to Germany. I am staying home every day without being able to do all the things I would like to.

I haven't been able to travel abroad up to now nor have I seen the beautiful scenery and buildings in Europe.

However, I had the opportunity to learn English at the Volkshochschule and to meet a wonderful teacher and colleagues. I am glad to be in Germany.

Midori Oguma

The corona pandemic has now lasted 1 year.

I've been working as usual, as a physiotherapist, as it is a health relevant job.

The difference is that I wear a mask for many hours every day and must follow many other hygiene regulations. That is often exhausting.

Picture: H. Sajons

I’m glad I can work. Everyday life feels almost normal. My family does a lot of home office and home schooling. That is often exhausting and monotonous for them.

I miss meeting friends, family, carefree travelling and shopping.

On the other hand, I use the time more intensively for myself, that’s nice too.

I hope that the pandemic will soon be over and that everyone can live carefree again.

Kathrin Behrens

9/26/21

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Report by Celia´s English Learners (4) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES How has my life changed since Corona?

Some trivialities that were part of our lives have changed. I can't look at faces anymore because I'm wearing a mask, I can't shake hands, hug or give a kiss.

When I meet someone and smile, they can't see it. Keeping distance to people in everyday life and also pointing out the distance rules to other people in a friendly way has almost become normal.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to plan anything at the moment. When will I be able to travel, do sports, visit friends or simply go out for a meal?

I only meet my girlfriends outdoors and having a conversation during our long walks help us a lot to keep contact and bring a little bit of normality back in this very difficult time.

A year ago I asked a researcher if it is possible to record lectures and then allow members to watch them. At that time the answer was “No, you can't, you have to come to the event.”.

Now Zoom events are offered everywhere and people from all over Germany can actively take part in it. This is very positive and I hope it will continue in the future.

Many activities are actually being offered online, like gymnastics, lectures or language learning.

There are also positive effects but the restrictions are tighter and I hope that the situation as it is now, will ease soon.

Gabrielle Ilgner

June 2020 9/26/21

Picture: H. Sajons

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Report by Celia´s English Learners (5)

What is this Pandemic doing to us?

First of all, I never thought that a Pandemic can change our whole lives in such a drastic way….

My daughter celebrated her 19th birthday only with us. This is very hard for a teenager!

In the first lockdown, we renovated our living room. It was not easy because all the shops were closed, and it was difficult to get everything we needed!

On the 18th of May, we saw a glance of light in this whole darkness. The restaurants were opened, and we celebrated the birthday of my niece with the whole family in a beer garden.

But this new normality didnˋt hold up for long…

Being locked in isnˋt a problem for me because I can work from home, I socialize even with these limitations. My family and myself, we are healthy and that is what counts!

My problem in this situation is that I can´t visit my parents in Greece and my parents- in-law. But now I know how much time we can spend with them and I accept it.

I hope I can get the vaccine soon and we can meet each other again.

Despina Ludewig

June 2020

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Picture: H. Sajons

Report by Maria W. / Spanish Teacher in Olching /Germany (1) The first time I really realized what Covid-19 means was in February 2019. At the beginning of that month, I was in Spain with my husband. As if it was a prediction of what would come afterwards, we visited our family in Murcia and spent a beautiful time with them. The weather was nice, and we could also go for a walk in the countryside enjoying the pretty almond blossoming. The world was still ok at that time although first threatening news from China about this terrible virus was reaching Europe. At the end of February, some Covid-19 infections appeared in Europe, and they developed rather quickly.

Such a tremendous situation, like a pandemic, changes a lot of things in your life. First of all, you realize what immense impact a tiny virus can have all around the word. The pictures from collapsing hospitals and from doctors and nurses working day and night to attend so many patients and worst of all, seeing thousands of ill people die at hospitals were horrible for me.

So, the lockdown began and, my family and I, we set a new way of life in our home sweet home.

Since then, we spend much more time together. We have discovered the pleasure of board games like playing cards again. We also read lots of interesting books; we go for long walks and enjoy the nature. My husband and I, we saw a great TV series (I confess!) called “Downton Abbey”, highly recommended. Another positive aspect of the lockdown is the fact that my husband is not traveling at all. Normally he had to spend quite a lot of time abroad. This is part of his work. Since the pandemic started, he works in home office and all conferences and meetings are scheduled online.

My children are also studying online.

Picture: H. R.

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Report by Maria W. / Spanish Teacher in Olching /Germany (2) These are the positive aspects, but unfortunately there are some negative aspects: in fact, I really miss my family in Spain.

I am looking forward to visiting them. And of course, I am nostalgic for the meetings with my friends, and I miss visiting cultural events.

Things are happening to show us something. It is important to reflect and to learn from it. Probably, this is the lesson we have to learn: the way we were living until the pandemic was not entirely the right one. It is necessary to reduce the pace of life, to appreciate what we have, especially health, to take care of the environment and to enjoy social relationship.

Finally, I would like to say that in a crisis situation some people are able to become creative and to grow. But I am also afraid about the unpredictability of this pandemic. Nobody knows when restrictions can be finished.

Online teaching: Teachers´ point of view My Spanish courses at the Vhs Olching were at the beginning of the semester face-to-face but after some lessons we changed to online classes. They are working rather well and the students are happy to have the opportunity to continue practicing this beautiful language. This way to teach allows me to introduce some activities I did not use before. For example, I can share an interesting video with the participants. I think it is important to make online classes attractive and pleasant so that students enjoy it.

http://www.freevector.com/comput er-kid/

My family, my friends and I, we speak a lot about topics like social changes, environment, economic crisis, what is really important and what is not…. In my opinion, we will not just return to the way of life we had before the pandemic. That is why we should be prepared to renounce the excess we were used to have. We have to take care of the society and of the environment. We must be flexible and work together to solve this difficult, challenging and sensitive situation.

January 2021

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Report by Ricarda W. / Nutrition Adviser - Teacher in Olching /Germany (1) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

My first memory of Corona is, that I thought it is far away and doesn`t matter me.

I`ve been working here in Germany with all my students and most of them and me were like “this is not dangerous for us, we do all for prevention and so we are still not in!” Interestingly none of them got Corona.

The really first impressive impact has been the lockdown in 2020 – here, where I live, I could not hear any traffic as I did before. It was like a lonesome island for my family. But I have to admit that I enjoyed the calm and the empty space on the streets.

How did your life change during the lockdown?

Personally My life under corona changed in the way that my family and I spent much more time together than ever before, we really enjoyed it. We've spent a lot of time renovating and working around the house and garden, and I've cooked a lot more than ever before. For myself i have now decided to live a little more slowly and to integrate more creativity into everyday life. The only downer is that I have gained a little weight with so much cozy comfort.

Professionally As far as my daily work is concerned, I have now determined which priorities I want to focus on and in which area.

https://all-free-download.com/freevector/download/autumnlandscape-drawing-colorful-cartoonbirds-trees-decoration_6829142.html

January 2021

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Report by Ricarda W. / Nutrition Adviser - Teacher in Olching /Germany (2) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

My feelings have changed during this time to the extent that I no longer want to spend time with useless things, people or situations but have become even less willing to compromise when something is not on my line. Time quality itself has become more important to me.

I felt safe and self-determined throughout the pandemic, but I was increasingly angry about some of the media coverage and panic-mongering.

My husband and I had Corona ourselves in February and although I am a risk patient, we survived it well.

I have a very ambivalent opinion about online lessons, both as a teacher and as a participant.

After some trials I decided I am waiting to be able to teach face to face again and try to postpone as many appointments as possible - back into the "normal time".

Future expectations and challenges

https://clipground.com/reachingout-clipart.html

I think the general expectations for the future are simply more normal everyday life and social opportunities. My personal expectations are rather to export that “being together and for one another” into the "after Corona time" and to maintain some of the slowdown that I have gained.

December 2020

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Report by Irene N./ Arts - Teacher in Olching /Germany (1) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

My first memory is that I was scared about the news from the Coronavirus in China.

I was indignant to read about the doctor who found the virus and his problem to make it public in the official Chinese media. In the end he died as a hero.

In the beginning of the pandemic, I had the opportunity to go on with my courses. What a chance! And then in March 2020 it ended unexpectedly. All my courses had to stop immediately.

I was staying at home like all my colleagues due to lockdown from March 2020. All was standing still…and still is now in January 2021!

The only positive aspect for me is the slowdown in our lives and for all around us.

Thinking about the past and the future I see the necessity to be open for new technologies and to buy new equipment.

Everyone has to start with oneself.

The public life slowed down and the social distances to other people, neighbours, friends and all outside the family began.

CABSY was created by Irene Nestler

December 2020

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Report by Irene N./ Arts - Teacher in Olching /Germany (2) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

The social distance is really a difficult situation for our older generation and also for the kids.

For me the situation was a step back to the traditional role of a woman: cooking, washing, cleaning, serving the family at home and on top of that I had to be a good psych for the whole family.

My work as an art teacher was stopped but I tried to stay connected with my trainees and participants.

I am hopeful that better times will come for my family and my participants.

My point of view as a teacher In my art courses the acceptance of online lessons is unfortunately not very high. Due to the age structure of the course participants, there is no guarantee that the appropriate technical devices are available in their home. Many of them have no experience with such equipment.

Nevertheless, I think the lockdown - if it lasts longer - will encourage people to take courses online.

I hope the vaccine will help us to go back to normal life.

Our challenge is to motivate people to keep up with a positive thinking and with sunshine in their heart during this unusual episode of life.

The most important task is not to lose contact with our course participants.

Picture: Irene Nestler

January 2021

December 2020

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Report by Jouko/ Kuopio / Finland (1) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

A gorgeous day in Lapland near of the Levi field. Sun is shining, snow is bright light all over the field area. Ski tracks are in perfect good conditions. Our cook club has hired a cottage for a week to spend our spring break in Lapland enjoying being together, having good food ja skiing. Six adults, three families. It's week ten which is one of the holiday weeks in springtime here in Finland. Many people travel in those weeks from southern part of Finland to the north to Lapland where certainly is snow for traditional skiing and good slopes for downhill skiing. Just like we, cook club members.

In the beginning of January there has been news about virus infections in China in Wuhan area. Anyway, viruses are so common in these time of year that nobody who has read or heard about that is not yet concerned. Even though there has been one infected Chinese tourist in Lapland. First infection in the whole Scandinavia. Director from Finnish institute for health and welfare estimated that spreading of virus in Finland would be low. So, tourists in Lapland were happy and celebrated and enjoyed for spring break. For sure we spend the whole vacation in our villa area. Only visiting in shops and skiing in spacious forest, lakes and field regions. No disco visits.

End of week ten we cook club members were driving back home to Kuopio. Sun was shining, snow was melting and in Kuopio area was already marks from beginning springtime. No problems, normal springtime. Then everything changed. In news told that the virus has reached Europe and especially Italy. Then in turn was middle Europe, Spain and so on. The virus was accelerating spreading around the world. People started hoarding toilet paper and food.

Why toilet paper, no idea but for sure anyway. Fear begins to take part of people's life. Despite of that spring was beautiful and increasing sunshine and light was relieving human beings' life.

But the virus, which was named SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease as COVID-19, continued its spreading. Our government declared Martial law and that law gave permission for authorities started to close Finland. Going to lockdown. New word for to use in common life and in future. We used to sit on sofa to watch on tv how our Prime minister walked front of cameras and told what is happening and how citizens should behave. We obey. We used to avoid other people, our friends, our family members especially older ones. We washed hands, tried to visit in shops as few times as possible.

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December 2020

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Report by Jouko/ Kuopio / Finland (2) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

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In March schools, gyms, restaurants and borders closed. People moved to remote work.

Students and even young pupils used to work at homes and school teachers made a huge job to learn a new way to teach and they moved to remote teaching. Everything happened very quickly. But if we have to do something so human beings are flexible and innovative and can.

Like in our Community College. We moved to use Zoom application and kept our lessons from home. And it was fun. New way to study language and I would say that sometimes the change refresh and could make things even easier. Good experience.

I'm retired as my wife, too. Our daily life routines don't change very much. We have detached house and, like in normal years, there was lots of doing in the garden and in the house. I had time to make plans for different kind of renovations and then make renovations.

Only big change was that we should avoid our nearest people: children, grandchildren, friends and especially my 92-years old dad. Luckily, we have nowadays lots of possibilities to keep contact: phones, emails, Facebook, Whatsapp etc. Those things have helped our and everyone's life.

We managed. We obeyed authorities: avoid almost everything, washed hands and so on. We managed. Quite few infections in Finland and according strict restrictions they were no more deaths than in normal influenza period.

Then came summertime. The disease relieved and society returned almost back to normal.

Despite of that, situation all over the globe was so bad that normal tourist travelling stopped quite totally. Our cook club has booked villa in Montenegro, but we have to cancel the trip and move the look towards the better times. It was easier to meet people again and live normal life only with quite few restrictions.

Because corona situation was so bad in UK, we can't meet our daughter's family in Scotland.

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Report by Jouko/ Kuopio / Finland (3) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

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After summer we, and I think many others, were waiting future more confidently than in springtime. We were used to live with coronavirus. Even if doctors and authorities warned for second wave of virus.

We renovated our house. New roof. Autumn was nice and carrying 8000 kg concrete roof bricks up and same down it was easy to forget viruses. In addition, it was good autumn to pick up berries in the forest. Many liters blackberries and raspberries. Anyway, virus time has been good for citizens healthy. More time for jogging, cycling, walking, hiking etc.

Restrictions and protection manors changed little by little to the part of normal life.

Everybody continued washing hands, using masks, work at home etc. Situation was in autumn so good that we could start our English lessons normally in classrooms. As a family we were waiting Christmas time because it was a promise to have our daughter's family to visit us.

In news we followed how situation was getting worse. But 19th of December I drove to Helsinki airport to fetch daughter's family to us. Two grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law.

In airport I realized what virus had done for traveling. Airport area was totally deserted. We were really lucky. 19th December we were back in our house starting to celebrate Christmas and on the 20th borders in UK closed. Lockdown.

We had a wonderful Christmas. For a while little bit wet but then it started snowing and we got white Christmas. Watching my daughter's family. it was easy to understand what coronavirus means for tourism. They were tested four times in three weeks period. Second test for them was here in Kuopio and I drove them at the test place. Waiting them outside in the car I could clearly hear what was my 4-year-old granddaughter's opinion about corona and especially about testing. Painfully.

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Report by Jouko/ Kuopio / Finland (4) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

http://www.allthingsclipart.com/13/vaccine.clipart.htm

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Then in December whole globe got good message about vaccine. It was ready and vaccinations started for example in UK. Anyhow second wave was so bad with different kind of variants that our country had to go back to strict restrictions. Our English study moved to Zoom-meetings. For that we were already used to it. In wintertime when it's bad weather outside it's so comfortable have remote lesson sitting inside discussing with other students. Of course, it's not the same as real contacts face to face but good way however. I think one option for the future too.

Just now it's little bit over one year when all this began. First everybody was afraid and confused because life was like in the wartime. Enemy was this time smaller, but it was everywhere.

Summertime brought little bit relief for life. Some people died but not everyone. Promises for new vaccines gave hope and in the air was promise that we can survive. In the autumn frustration started come up because the disease wasn't over, and virus started to spread again with the new variants. All and more restrictions came back.

Now citizens here in Finland and all over the globe are fed up. Everybody is waiting for summer and that people could get vaccine and life could be back to normal or almost back to normal. It's an old proverb: not so much bad lest something good. Exceptional times make people to think new habits to live, make new innovations. Perhaps work better together.

Corona has shown that we are living just now in better world than before. In last century viruses have killed millions and millions of people and we haven't been capable to do anything, almost nothing. Now we are fighting together against a shared enemy, and it looks that we have managed quite well. Together.

Towards the better tomorrow.

12.04.2021

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Report by Harry R. / English Learner in Olching / Germany (1) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES https://wikiclipart.com/apple-clipart_499/

My first memory of Corona is hearing the news February 2020. They reported about a virus which had made its debut in the city of Wuhan in China. As recommended, I bought simple masks for my wife and me.

Most of the time we stayed at home; we went out to buy food in supermarkets or to visit Helga´s father in the seniors´ home and to bring him food, he had ordered and some other things.

At that time, we were allowed to drive in our garden to do necessary works. In summer it seems that the pandemic was on a good way to get better. Virologists warned, pointing out that a second wave of Covid19 would arrive and unfortunately, they were right! Many people didn't take the pandemic seriously and afterwards many people got sick and too many of them died.

In autumn we drove to our garden to pick a lot of apples and we stored them in our wooden house.

Our life has completely changed; to dam the pandemic the government ordered a strong lockdown.

Restaurants, shops, hairdressers, and more had to close.

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Report by Harry R. / English Learner in Olching / Germany (2) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

We couldn't celebrate Christmas and Sylvester with family and friends: we felt lonely!

The only ways of communication since the beginning of the disease are to call or to use smartphones to have contact by WhatsApp or to send pictures.

For retired people it doesn’t affect life so much. But for all the people who have to work in important permanent jobs, like in hospitals, trains, and busses it is difficult and exhausting.

Furthermore, the kids cannot go to school, they learn at home – in so called “homeschooling” -, but all miss the contact with friends in classrooms. That is really a disadvantage and the success by learning is not the same as in the school.

It's a pity: our English teacher cannot hold her course in our Adult Education Centre. We all know she loves the hours with us and we do, too. Fortunately, Hélène found a way to give lessons by Skype and we enjoy it!!! That is much better than nothing, or?

January 2021

Picture: H. Sajons

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Report by Helga B. / English Learner in Olching / Germany (1) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

Picture: H. Sajons

My first memory of Corona was in December 2019. I was watching TV and heard during the news about this new lung disease, which erupted in Wuhan, a city in China. That time and during the next weeks I wasn’t travelling, I was at home.

In January 2020, the Chinese authorities reported that there was a new Corona virus and a very contagious one. From now on we got every day new reports about the Corona virus. I remember that the first recorded illness in Germany was reported from the Starnberg district. Then it happened, the virus spread very quickly all over the world.

Our government decided on the first Lockdown from mid-March 2020. Many other countries did the same. So, our lives suddenly changed. Nearly all shops closed except supermarkets, pharmacies and some other important stores for the daily life. The medical practices also remained open.

But kindergartens, schools, restaurants, theatres, pubs, bars, etc. had to close. Many companies also stopped working. We should not have many contacts with other persons, we should keep our distance, wash hands frequently: that‘s what the government decided. These measures should stop the spread of the virus.

At the first time the lockdown did not sadden me so much. It was spring, the weather was mostly beautiful, and my husband and I went every day for long walks. We are both retired, so we were not professionally affected by the lockdown. It was actually a stress-free time, no appointments, no meetings, no fitness centre etc. Nothing at all, simply a lot of time!

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Report by Helga B. / English Learner in Olching / Germany (2) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

Then everything got better after the first lockdown. The summer came and Corona was almost forgotten.

But unfortunately, Corona came back with full force in autumn. Since November last year we have the second lockdown and now it is not so easy to bear anymore. Now we have the same situation as in March 2020 but still worse: More infections and stricter rules.

How my feelings changed over time Now I miss my friends, no spontaneous meetings for a coffee or to go to a restaurant, no shopping, no travelling, you just can‘t plan anything, that is annoying and emotionally the situation is drawing most people down. I try to keep my good mood, most of the time I succeed.

Online teaching: Learners´ point of view Since our school closed, we do online lessons once a week. I like it, it is a substitute for lessons in school, but I love classroom teaching more, for me it is a better feeling.

For the future I hope to be vaccinated soon because I belong to the older generation and that all little by little, we get a bit of our old ways of life back. It will be a challenge for all the countries of the world to overcome the Corona crisis and to give people a new perspective on life again. I think, it will not be easy because there are also so many other big problems in this world, but I have the hope, it can only get better.

January 2021

Picture: H. Sajons

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30 Report by Ilse S. / English Learner in Olching / Germany (1) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

It was January 2020 when my husband and I heard the first time in TV that a new virus occurred in China, broken out on a big market in Wuhan. We and everybody around thought it's far away and don't touch us and nobody could foresee that this occurrence would change the life of millions of people around the world.

I was a little bit alarmed after hearing that some employees of a company in Stockdorf near Munich were infected with this virus. It turned out that they got it from a Chinese colleague who had held a seminar for them in the rooms of that firm. Although the infected people and their nearest family members were isolated and treated in a Munich hospital under strong precautionary, German virologists and politicians were convinced that the illness would not be harder than a normal influenza. But in February 2020 the pandemic broke out - vacationers brought the virus in the country and Bavaria was one of the most affected federal states in Germany.

A lockdown was completely new for all of us and most people didn`t experience such a farreaching reduction of their daily life. For me the negative aspects dominated the positive ones. We couldn't realize most of our planning for 2020, - celebrations, travels, invitations and so on couldn't take place or were cancelled. As so-called „ persons with elevated risk“, we reduced consequently our personal contacts to the family and to friends.

Picture: H. Sajons

Reflecting about positive aspects of the lockdown, I think first of all of the fact that we could spend more time than usually together in our family. And also of discovering some unknown places and interesting sights by long walks in the near surroundings which helped us to feel good and to distract from the unpleasant situation we are living in.

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31 Report by Ilse S. / English Learner in Olching / Germany (2) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

At the first lockdown, beginning in March 2020, I had to get used with that new situation. I worked at home in the household and garden, made things I wanted to do for a long while.

Phone and “whatsapp” became more important than ever. But I was also worried about what was going to happen. The reports about the terrible situations in hospitals, at that time especially in Italy and Spain, were shocking.

During the summer months we could breathe, the infection rates got lower, and I enjoyed to meet some friends again and to go to a restaurant or to drink a cup of coffee together. My family and I could go for swimming and biking, I was in a good mood, and I thought that we were over the worst at that time.

Unfortunately, the second wave of the pandemic reached us and this time harder than before. Another lockdown came and is now still actually going on; only one topic exists on TV and in the newspapers: COVID19! After such a long time of social isolation I sometimes feel frustrated and worried, especially after the appearance of COVID19 mutations.

Learners´ point of view It's an interesting experience to take part to online lessons and I like the lessons by Skype very much. It's a good alternative to learn together, to stay in contact with the team and to practice our knowledges.

But I think online lessons cannot replace personal meetings, they are more stressful,nd the feedback isn't always optimal.

Picture: H. Sajons

My expectations (better: my hope) for the future is that the vaccination against COVID19 will be successful and can help to return to a normal life. We had more than enough challenges during the last year and I fear that we have to master new challenges in the next months.

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32 Report by Hélène S. / English Teacher in Olching / Germany (1) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

When the first news about the emergence of a new virus in China reached us, I thought that it was something similar to a flu infection. I also thought the gutter press was enjoying a further scandal and diffusing bad news.

But after some weeks we had to realize that COVID19 was rapidly spreading and that the whole world was concerned by this disease.

By the mid of March 2020, the German government and the Federal States took the decision to close schools, theatres, restaurants, etc. and informed the population that everyone should wear a mask in public.

Our Adult Education Centre had to close, too. To be allowed to reopen the fulfilment of a lot of hygiene regulations was necessary. As requested, our school bought dispensers, air purification units, masks, and more. Entrance and exit were separated, the way to move inside the schools and the distance between tables or seats were marked on the floor in all rooms. The regulations for health courses were still more difficult to fulfil.

Picture: H. Sajons

Even if our Adult Education Centre reopened in July and started the autumn term in September 2020, lots of courses had to be postponed or cancelled. From December 2020 till the end of February 2021 (today´s situation) we had to close our school again due to the second shutdown and to a further increase of acute diseases.

For our institution that meant an important loss of money. It has been very difficult to “survive” and to continue our work.

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33 Report by Hélène S. / English Teacher in Olching / Germany (1) HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES

Fortunately, courses could partly take place online. But not all participants are willing to accept that solution.

For me as a teacher, not being able to teach from face to face induced me to reactivate knowledges on online teaching and to offer on-line coaching to my participants. That enable them to test various exercises that we do not usually do in classrooms.

Even if it works well, I will be happy to meet our learners personally again. I miss the interaction and the personal and friendly contacts: it is really different in online courses.

Actually, I don´t suffer too much from the confinement as anyway my husband and I used to stay at home quite a lot. But we miss seeing our family without restrictions, meeting friends, going to the restaurant, travelling …

We did a lot of things in our house that we have wanted to do for years: looking through clothes, cupboards, cellar, attic, etc. Well, we didn´t remember having so many things at home! We managed to part with a number of objects but enjoyed also rediscovering old books, pictures, children's drawings, my wedding veil, etc.!

Picture: H. Sajons

Now we are looking forward to the end of the pandemic and to the possibility to restart our activities as we did before…as far as we can because in the meantime,we have been growing older again!

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End of September 2021 Is anything the same as before the COVID-19 pandemic?

Report by Hélène S. / English Teacher in Olching / Germany - ONE YEAR LATER HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES – Part II

I don´t think so! The social intercourse seems to have changed. We still hesitate to take friends in our arms. We still tend to keep distance when ever possible. We are not certain how to react properly, how to overcome the insidious fear which has been affecting our behaviour for more than two years now.

The pandemic left profound traces of uncertainty and of lack of normal social intercourse - even by children who nearly did not go to school for one year!

The twelve last months were characterised by up-and-down in everyday life due to continuously changing decisions of our government. The politics seemed unable to cope properly with the situation and spread uncertainness and discontent into the German population. Contradictory reports of scientists played a main role in people´s growing dissatisfaction.

One of the results was that vaccination slowed down – which could have fatal consequences to encounter a new COVID wave.

For us personally the last twelve months were not really exciting. We mainly stayed at home, going for walks and for a meal, meeting our family and some friends but we did not dare to fly anywhere for holiday and only spent a few days in the Austrian mountains. As a matter of fact, we felt quite exhausted while doing nothing special! Our main pleasure was spending time with our grandchildren! And a highlight was the excursion to Weilheim with my English course!

It is just like “not having lived” for nearly two years! The pandemic stole a part of our life and dug wounds in our soul.

Picture: Weilheim - P. Sajons

When will we be able to encounter friends and acquaintances without reticence with the whole spontaneity and openness we were used to?

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Reports written by Learners and Teachers of the Educational Institutions taking part to the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership: Culture and Arts: Bridges to Solidarity (CABS) Website: https://cabserasmus.eu/

Picture: vhs Olching

This project is funded with support from the European Commission. The content reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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