Nell a 19 ans et habite en Allemagne. En classe de terminale, elle a suivi les cours de la fin de l'année scolaire en ligne. Cependant, elle ressent un sentiment d'unité et de solidarité avec le reste du monde. Elle profite aussi du temps pendant le confinement pour réfléchir à son futur, et à la vie qu'elle souhaite mener.
Hello, my name is Nell, I am 19 years old and live in Germany, close to Bonn and Cologne.
At the moment we have to stay home as much as possible. We are only allowed to leave the house with our family or with one other person. Bigger groups (unless it is family) have to pay if they get caught. I have actually heard of the police walking around, looking for groups. Only grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and gas stations are open. There is also an exeption for take-away food. But we are not allowed to go out to eat. At the stores are also a few regulations. I believe only 20 people are allowed to be in the store at the same time. But this might vary, depending on the size of the store. Everyone has to take a cart, to guarantee a distance toothers. Between the cashier and the customer is a glass wall and you have to put cash in a seperate container. For the queues, there are lines on the floor, that show where one can stand. I have also seen that there is a system for “dirty” and clean shopping carts.On one side you have to take a cart out that has been desinfected and on a different side you have to put your used cart, for it to be cleaned. We do not have to wear gloves and masks, but are advised to do so.
I am in 12th grade (senior). My school year would have ended at the start of the Easterbreak.
Unfortunately it had to end 2 weeks early.
During those 2 weeks we had online classes and homework send to us. The school time (for seniors) generally ends with finals after the Easter break. The original dates were around the 20th of April. They are now postponed to around the 12th of May.
Officials have told us though that they might make new changes.Such as another postponement or not havingany finals at all, but taking the average grades as the final grades.
I miss the social interaction (meeting friends, etc.), having a daily routine and just my free life.
I usually have to study for a bit everyday. I also read, play Ukulele, play games with my family, lay in the sun, do gardening, paint/ draw or write. So I actually have quite some things to keep me busy with. I have met a few friends (seperately) too.
You learn to appreciate everyone and everything in your life. The liberty, we are lucky enough to experience usually, is a true blessing. Just the simpelest hug turns out to have a bigger importance than I thought. I am grateful for the time, I have with my family at the moment. I miss my friends a lot, though. I also realized how important a daily structure is or just being able to go to the city without any worries.
You really can not escape your thoughts. And it is a good thing to be confronted with them.
I have a few News-”app” that send me updates on the daily. I also see a lot on social media.
I want to figure out what to do with myself. My original goal, after I graduate, has always been to travel with my best friend. Sadly, this won’t be possible and I have to look for an alternative. I might start to study at a University earlier than expected.
But I don’t know yet. I also want to be more aware of what the presence of others gives to me and maybe also try to live as freely
as I can.
These past weeks and days, I have felt really connected to everyone. This is a very unique situation that effects everyone around the globe. We are all in this together. Not everyone might be effected the same way, but one way or another. I wish this feeling would last. Obviously without the circumstances. To feel unity regardless. Unity when it comes to issues, such as climate change, that will sooner or later effect everyone as well. I hope everyone stays safe during these trying times. Every single one of you is brave and can make a difference. Stay inside! Mask up! Wash your hands! Be there for one another! Follow the rules!
Much love from Germany!!
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