“Storage fever” in the never-ending pandemic
The republic in turmoil: train conductors are being chased by mask refusers, journalists and police officers are attacked by anti-vaccination agents, and even active lateral thinkers are pulling torches in front of politicians’ houses. People with masks with the word “dictatorship” on them demonstrate in front of the state parliament in Hanover. The perception of a loud minority seems to have shifted in the truest sense of the word. Now, however, the majority of the vaccinated population has slowly passed the faxes, moderator Günther Jauch speaks of a “hostage”, in which a loud minority is the majority.
Too strong stuff, thinks sociologist Irina winner from Hanover. She speaks of “camp fever” and proves this with her investigations. The winner has already carried out two surveys for Leibniz University (in cooperation with the University of Luxembourg and the City of Hanover) – one in early summer 2020 and one later this summer. The study is called “Coping Strategies for Covid-19: Social Impacts”. These strategies seem sorely needed.
Frustration and helplessness
The sociologist does not like to speak of radicalization, but she sees frustration reactions and helplessness: “You don’t feel heard and the pandemic is never ending. People were promised that if you tackle the problem, the restrictions will come to an end ”. Now there is “a general tiredness, a hopelessness, the mood is in the basement”. The concern for the German economy in general and for the school performance of the children has grown, said Irina winner. “It’s like a camp fever, that’s understandable. The question is when the mood will change. “
In principle, it is legitimate not to be vaccinated, says winner. “A certain group is held responsible for it in the media, people are receptive to it,” says the sociologist. You cannot judge whether the prolongation of the pandemic is due to the unvaccinated people. “We also have regulations that are incomprehensible and problematic. With 2-G-plus you get angry when you stand outside in front of the tents in the cold. “
Most want a solidarity community
The social psychologist Beate Küpper from the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences in Krefeld makes up a majority of citizens who show solidarity in the crisis and are delayed. “The vast majority went along with it, and continues to go along patiently to this day. And not just in your own interest, but because it’s good for the community. These people would rather live in a solidary community than in an egoist world ”. As with the refugee issue, there is an unbelievable level of cohesion, solidarity, caretaker networks, which, however, receive much less attention than the lateral thinkers. “I am now a little concerned that we will destroy exactly this chance at the beginning of the pandemic because the pandemic is dragging on.”
On the ego trip without a sense of responsibility
Now society does not only consist of vaccinated people and those who oppose the vaccination, “the pandemic met an interesting confluence of neoliberalism – everyone has to take care of themselves -, strong individualism – I am independent of others and above all take care of myself – and also a success of democracy namely that everyone thinks they can raise their voice and have the right to be heard, ”says Küppers, describing the situation. “In all three areas, however, the responsibility for what you do is not called into question.”
Working citizens are constantly faced with threats
The fact that the pandemic is dragging on has not only to do with vaccinators, “but also with poor preparation, too much consideration for the sounds and also the interests of the economy”. People in health care and care for the elderly, in schools, parents, teachers, but also workers in the handicrafts, those in retail experience daily unpleasant situations or even threats. “Those who take part and show solidarity will be offended.”
From Petra Rückerl