Corona´s colateral damage

When I heard information about a new virus coming from China in January, I was alarmed to hear that they quarantined cities by destroying highways. Of course I was hoping for the best, but I clearly remembered Sars and Swine flu, which didn´t disappear within a few weeks.
As my brother and me have fought hard for the life of our parents over the last couple of years, I don´t want to be the one to bring the death sentence home, as they are actually doing a bit better right now, but with their conditions they would be the perfect victims for the virus unfortunately. So I didn´t visit them for the last four weeks, as I might be a carrier who doesn´t show any symptoms. My job as a flight attendant gets me close to people from everywhere in the world, and despite wearing gloves and washing and disinfecting my hands a lot, I might still have it. I asked for a quick test (so I can take care of my parents again), but authorities said they will only test if there are symptoms.
Of course I offered my elderly neighbours in Frankfurt to go shopping for them (it´s really a havoc in stores, so they were happy about the offer).
I am not scared for myself, cause I am young, fit and optimistic. Yet when Davis gave us the news that our women´s and rigid wing world championships in Florida have been suspended, it broke my heart. I know how much effort goes into such an organization, cause I have done it myself before. Davis, Belinda, the whole Wilowtree Crew, Kathy, lots of volunteers - thank you all so much for your effort! Please know that all the women were really looking forward to show the world a worthy World Championship competition, with lots of great flying in Florida! So many of my South American friends entered the comp, so many new, upcoming and promising talents - I was really excited to fly with them all!
Another sad cancellation- the Wings for Life World Run won´t happen this year, only if people run individually. It has been a great event over the past years and got more and more popular, supporting research for victims of spinal cord injuries.
I also feel for all my fellow athletes who hope to compete at the Olympic games, which only happen every 4 years. For me, there has not been the opportunity to win an official women´s worlds title for 6 years now - for olympic athletes, there is quite some money involved if they win an olympic medal, and they don´t often get the chance.
Of course, the crisis hits my employer Lufthansa extremely hard. Flights are cancelled every minute. I don´t know now if I will work tomorrow or not. I don´t know if we will all keep our jobs.
Also I feel with my Italian friends - they are hit very hard with the high fatality rate, very fast contagion, and a harsh quarantine. I caught myself singing "Fratelli d´Italia..." yesterday, thinking of my great flying buddies and wishing them all the best for them and their loved ones!
In these times, I hope that people will get closer, despite the "healthy distance" and a namaste greeting instead of a hand shake. I hope they will see that it´s important to stand together and help each other, that our human values are more important than ever to cope with this crisis, rather than fighting about toilet paper or beating each other up over some kg of flour. But in panic, everybody shows a different behaviour.

Meanwhile spring starts in Europe, the nicest of all seasons. Time to fly again. Maybe unmotorized for a while.

By the way, thanks for all your wonderful birthday wishes - I was very touched in these dark times. So nice that you thought of me!