Part II: Some experiences
In Thuringia, where lockdown measures have been less grave, only contact restrictions were present. More stores - like home markets for example - were still open while in Saxony the restrictions were harsher. Over Easter it was not possible to leave one's city if residing in Saxony (at least where I live). Police was quite active there with drones; streets and highways were patrolled. That's what I heard at least, while spending Easter in Thuringia with my family (making it out in time). One tenant who lives at my parents' property even told me that her daughter who resides in the same city in Saxony as I do was not able to leave and come over. In Thuringia, families could at least go out walking and hiking in the countryside. Services were cancelled, like nationwide.
Also in Thuringia, when the lockdown started, the entrance of the supermarket nearby where my family has their property was guarded by a staunch security guy. On my first encounter with him I flinched back. He reacted: "Don't worry. I don't bite." I thought: 'You do well bite (with your whole authoritarian presence).' There was some threatening "flavor" upon him. He disinfected my trolley (each person had to take one - even if just accompanying someone else) and asked me if I wanted rubber gloves. I politely declined.
However, just last week, at that same store, I haven't seen security any more. Accompanying my mother who took a trolley, I didn't take one and nobody complained. The atmosphere was more relaxed. That was before last Friday, when masks became mandatory in Thuringia.
In Saxony, on the day the masks have become mandatory (Monday last week), I also helped my mother with the grocery shopping. We were in the mall in the city center and it was pretty silent. Not many stores had opened yet. My mother went into a drugstore and I waited on a bench inside the mall, with the bags (without having a mask on since not being in a store). Two security guys wearing face masks were suddenly approaching me: "Excuse me, but you cannot sit here." I looked somewhat puzzled, but then answered: "I am sorry, but I am just waiting for someone." They replied: "Well, then that's okay." And away they went.
Earlier on the same day, I have been to the tobacco shop. Talking was not easy with the mask on the face (being the first time when wearing the mask at all) and I just expressed that. The cashier answered: "I know." It made me realize that she has to wear the mask (muzzle) for the whole work day and can't just leave like the customers can. So the next day I bought a little flower arrangement, went into the tobacco shop and just gave it to her (not without leaving with tobacco again). She was so glad about it, and this made me joyous as well and having a rather good mood for much of that day.
This Monday, when I went to the grocery store, the clerck reminded one customer without a shopping cart to take one (or a basket). The customer became somewhat furious: "Well, what a madhouse is this!!!" The clerck just said: "I am sorry, I can't help it. It's not my fault." The customer then went to get one. But I felt a silent solidarity with him and even thought if I should approach him and thank him for expressing it that bluntly. But then I didn't.
Later that day I passed some women who were talking about how many shops will go under, due to losses in sales with just so few customers (if you think of the regulations which allow only a certain amount of people in there). I thought how right they are.
So, these have been some experiences. My impression over all this time and from the talks I had is, that people in the Eastern part of Germany in particular are quite fed up with all this theatre. I guess due to what they went through - Communism and being the children and grandchildren of people who experienced Hitler's "Reich" and the Second World War - they may be more sensitive to the rise of a pathocratic state (and an open one in particular). So I would say it is about the same as goes for populations living in Eastern and Southeastern Europe who had plenty of experiences with pathocratic regimes as well.
In Thuringia, where lockdown measures have been less grave, only contact restrictions were present. More stores - like home markets for example - were still open while in Saxony the restrictions were harsher. Over Easter it was not possible to leave one's city if residing in Saxony (at least where I live). Police was quite active there with drones; streets and highways were patrolled. That's what I heard at least, while spending Easter in Thuringia with my family (making it out in time). One tenant who lives at my parents' property even told me that her daughter who resides in the same city in Saxony as I do was not able to leave and come over. In Thuringia, families could at least go out walking and hiking in the countryside. Services were cancelled, like nationwide.
Also in Thuringia, when the lockdown started, the entrance of the supermarket nearby where my family has their property was guarded by a staunch security guy. On my first encounter with him I flinched back. He reacted: "Don't worry. I don't bite." I thought: 'You do well bite (with your whole authoritarian presence).' There was some threatening "flavor" upon him. He disinfected my trolley (each person had to take one - even if just accompanying someone else) and asked me if I wanted rubber gloves. I politely declined.
However, just last week, at that same store, I haven't seen security any more. Accompanying my mother who took a trolley, I didn't take one and nobody complained. The atmosphere was more relaxed. That was before last Friday, when masks became mandatory in Thuringia.
In Saxony, on the day the masks have become mandatory (Monday last week), I also helped my mother with the grocery shopping. We were in the mall in the city center and it was pretty silent. Not many stores had opened yet. My mother went into a drugstore and I waited on a bench inside the mall, with the bags (without having a mask on since not being in a store). Two security guys wearing face masks were suddenly approaching me: "Excuse me, but you cannot sit here." I looked somewhat puzzled, but then answered: "I am sorry, but I am just waiting for someone." They replied: "Well, then that's okay." And away they went.
Earlier on the same day, I have been to the tobacco shop. Talking was not easy with the mask on the face (being the first time when wearing the mask at all) and I just expressed that. The cashier answered: "I know." It made me realize that she has to wear the mask (muzzle) for the whole work day and can't just leave like the customers can. So the next day I bought a little flower arrangement, went into the tobacco shop and just gave it to her (not without leaving with tobacco again). She was so glad about it, and this made me joyous as well and having a rather good mood for much of that day.
This Monday, when I went to the grocery store, the clerck reminded one customer without a shopping cart to take one (or a basket). The customer became somewhat furious: "Well, what a madhouse is this!!!" The clerck just said: "I am sorry, I can't help it. It's not my fault." The customer then went to get one. But I felt a silent solidarity with him and even thought if I should approach him and thank him for expressing it that bluntly. But then I didn't.
Later that day I passed some women who were talking about how many shops will go under, due to losses in sales with just so few customers (if you think of the regulations which allow only a certain amount of people in there). I thought how right they are.
So, these have been some experiences. My impression over all this time and from the talks I had is, that people in the Eastern part of Germany in particular are quite fed up with all this theatre. I guess due to what they went through - Communism and being the children and grandchildren of people who experienced Hitler's "Reich" and the Second World War - they may be more sensitive to the rise of a pathocratic state (and an open one in particular). So I would say it is about the same as goes for populations living in Eastern and Southeastern Europe who had plenty of experiences with pathocratic regimes as well.
It kinda softened the disgust I felt about wearing the thing in the first place.
I'm sure it's nothing to do with YT trying to make sure no one's able to save the badthink videos and reupload them.
