Berlin is shutting down right now. The schools are closed, the bars are closed, the museums are closed, the FREAKING bars are closed. COVID is forcing quarantines, lock downs, and shut the heck downs all around the world. This is good. We don’t have enough tests to isolate neighborhoods where the virus exists, and until we can fight what we see, there’s no point spreading the virus. So a shut down makes sense.
But enough logicalisms. Were living in a never before seen (in our lives) time. There is a global pandemic shooting across the world and people are scared. They should be scared. People are dying and doctors can’t stop it. Economies are tanking and federal bankers can’t do a thing. People are buying all the toilet paper and their digestive systems can’t keep up.
I walked around Berlin today and this is what I saw:
- The owner of the most popular döner kabab place in my neighborhood standing outside his empty store, looking lost.
- A graffiti artist methodically applying her craft on old records she sells outside Hackeshar Markt.
- Hundreds of people sitting in the park watching the sun go down.
- Lots of closure signs
- A photographer walking around taking signs of small businesses’ closure signs.
And here’s what I didn’t see:
- People in restaurants.
- Tourists.
- Lines outsides bakeries.
- Anyone older than 50.
- A smile.
The streets were probably a third filled of people at that time compared to what they usually are. People are scared. Were hiding away and I’m not sure how long this will last. People can’t stay at home locked away for long. The wild ones will walk outside and take risks. It’s the disciplined ones I worry about. Those are the people that struggle most.
Get outside if you can.