Life in Berlin with the Coronavirus: May

Please check back as I will add updates periodically.

{That is too close}

{That is too close}

{That is a healthy distance}

May 27

A lot has happened in the last two weeks.

The boys went for haircuts. And not a moment too soon. Ben has even taken to dying his hair blue thanks to Manic Panic.

{New hair styles for the boys}

Isaac returned to school for three full days in a row last week (Thursday and Friday were off for Ascension day, or Himmelfahrt – rhymes with fart). They both return on June 2 after the Monday Pentecost holiday.

{Isaac back at school}

We took a four day road trip to Saxony to tour castles and cute towns as well as to hike. (See separate post.)

{Leipzig}

{Schloss Hartenfels in Torgau}

{Swimming in our cottage’s pool}

I have been walking and biking a lot to try to lose the “Corona 19”. (See Captured Moments post for photo updates. https://shannonlubell.wordpress.com/2019/04/21/captured-moments/)

{Recent bike ride to Schloss Charlottenburg}

Restaurants and stores have all opened. Masks are required in stores and all public transportation. We expect these requirements as well as safe social distancing to continue until at least July 5.

{Our first restaurant dinner out – May 15}

May 14

It’s been week full of highs and lows.

{We retuned to playgrounds this week}

Mother’s Day was spent on the lovely Spree in Köpenick, where we picnicked along the river bank and rented a solar powered boat.

{On the banks of the Spree in Köpenick}

We took the boat all the way to the 1936 Olympic rowing racecourse where the US Men’s 8 beat Hitler’s Germans as retold in the book “The Boys in the Boat”. (See separate Mother’s Day and Rudern posts).

{Isaac and Dave on the solar powered boat we rented with the head of the 1936 Olympic Rowing Course in the background}

We’ve also continued to struggled navigating distance learning as our boys require constant help as we manage both the lessons and the technology.

{Isaac on a MSTeams class call this week}

As a member of the school’s parent Leadership Team, I co-hosted a chat with the parents of Isaac’s class to collect feedback to pass along to the school leadership team.

{Sample of the detailed plan the school sent parents in preparation of more students returning in the coming weeks}

With school returning for more students next week, including Isaac (Ben returns on June 2), many suggestions will hopefully have to wait to be implemented next Fall, meaning further social distancing will not be necessary for the rest of this school year.

I took our shaggy boys to get haircuts this week as well. Luckily, we were the only ones there so it was a quick buzz and we did not have to stay for long.

{Feeling 100% better after their cuts this week}

Restaurants will open tomorrow here in Berlin, but only with outdoor seating while maintaining Germany’s hygiene measures (1.5 m spacing, etc).

{Restaurants are preparing for customers as they will be allowed to open their outdoor seating tomorrow}

Germany’s numbers are looking promising, while underlying anxiety related to further outbreak is looming below the surface.

Please stay smart and safe. 🙏🏼

May 7

As an American living in Germany, it’s difficult not to be constantly reminded how Merkel and Trump are leading, or attempting to lead, their countries in the time of COVID-19.

May 6

{Current stats here in Germany courtesy of the Robert Koch Institute}

{From today’s New York Times}

After meeting with the heads of all sixteen states today, Merkel has allowed more restrictions to be loosened for us here in Germany. We will proceed with caution, but I honestly can’t wait for the Bier Gartens to be open once again!

{Latest updates in Berlin}

May 4

We are trying to err on the side of caution and are not socializing with any other families at this time.

{Feeling a little caged in}

The boys are still home from school.

{Isaac on a class call}

We have visited the Tierpark (Zoo) twice since it reopened last week and have renewed our annual pass.

We are waiting to hear how things change when Merkel meets with her state representatives on May 6. Until then, this is the current status of life in Berlin.