Corona Diary: The world stopped turning

It's a new world to walk through these days. As if a neutron bomb had been dropped, which has wiped out all human life without a trace, squares and streets are yawning empty as never before. The sun is shining, the first spring flowers are blooming, but the shops are closed, the doors are shut, even the snack bars are no longer open. Corona keeps the world under control, even in the small town in eastern Germany, which was one of the first to impose exit restrictions on all citizens. "It's like the world stopped turning, you're frozen, no one seems to notice the absence of the wind", sings the great Songwriter Austin Lucas in his tune "Alone in Memphis". This isn't Louisiana. But he's right.

It is the first weekend after the closure of all non-essential businesses, and it is also the first weekend in spring that has seen a bright sun shining in the sky at seven degrees. It is like a mockery for all those who no longer dare leave their homes because they are afraid of contagion or fear of the police. They have been standing everywhere for two days now, patrol cars checking drivers with foreign license plates who are only allowed to stay in the city for important reasons. Police officers also patrol the parks to prevent crowds of people or even larger groups.

Walking or jogging in pairs is still allowed, groups of four are also tolerated, as well as families with their four children on bicycles. But nothing more. The ice cream vans have disappeared, the mobile sausage stalls and the excursion restaurants are closed anyway. If it weren't for the trams, which mostly drive empty cars through the city according to an emergency timetable, the memory of everyday life would be completely wiped out.

So the blue sky shines over deserted areas, the cold wind doesn't bite anyone's cheeks anymore, because simply nobody is outside. In the evening the government announces even more far-reaching regulations: No more than two people are allowed to travel together, leaving the apartment is only allowed for necessary ways, which are listed exactly.

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