20 March 2020

Corona virus has taken the world by storm! People’s varnish layers become thin and the uncertain circumstances bring out the distinctive colours of the different nationalities when they are under pressure. Our South Africans survive difficult times with humour and creativity. The Swiss deal with difficult times with rules and processes. In the circumstances, we now more than ever appreciate all the jokes on Facebook and are grateful to everyone who posts them.

Every morning, as Charl tries to figure out which fires are burning the highest, we get the latest news about the Corona virus situation. The hospitals are closely monitoring the situation to be ready. The first impact was the government announcing that all gatherings of more than a thousand people should be cancelled. This time of year, there are many festivals and gatherings to carry people through the last winter cold, which has now been cancelled.

Working from home

Employers have recommended that employees not travel by public transportation and that meetings be held online. Processes and technology are put in place so that non-medical staff can work from home. The hospitals are setting themselves up to care for patients as needed. Agreements are made with suppliers to ensure availability of medical items such as face masks and ventilators. Most suppliers of the items are ironically in China!

On-line schooling

At Zander’s school, they also began to make the necessary preparations should the schools close. They are equipped and the children are trained to attend school in a virtual classroom on their computers from home. All sporting events and school meetings with parents have been cancelled. The event where all Grade 5 parents could hear and watch the children’s hard work on their world problem research was also cancelled. It is ironic that the cause of the change in plan is an unexpected world problem called Corona virus.

Impact on tourism

Charl has a favourite fondue restaurant in Zurich that he has been visiting for 25 years. Previously, he had to book a table at least two weeks in advance. Lately, the restaurant has only been a quarter full. Tourists are fewer and especially the lack of Chinese tourists leaves a big gap. The owners are very worried about the future of this top ten restaurant in Zurich. Many people in the tourism industry have already lost their jobs. There are also fewer people visible on the street and in the trains and buses.

We have heard many stories of birthday celebrations or wedding anniversaries in the most beautiful parts of Italy that had to be cancelled due to quarantine. The daughter of a friend is a student at Milan University. They heard at 23h00 that the University was closing, and Milan was being quarantined. She immediately got into her car and drove to Zurich because the police immediately started placing restrictions on the people’s movements. Luckily, she was able to get out of there just in time.

We are watching the situation closely and giving our cooperation.  My biggest fear is that the situation will turn so bad that we will not be able to visit South Africa in early April. Charl’s biggest fear is that we will go to South Africa and not be able to return to Switzerland again!

Kind regards

Emsia