Bundeswehr soldiers in the corona service: "I no longer understand corona deniers."

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Against the virus: Bundeswehr soldiers help track chains of infection (symbolic image)

Photo: Julian Stratenschulte / dpa

Christopher Tim Lischewski exchanged the flecktarn for a light blue shirt with epaulettes in mid-September, his Husum regiment for a desk in the Hamburg-Eimsbüttel health department.

The 30-year-old sergeant is one of more than 1,800 Bundeswehr soldiers who are currently deployed in the fight against the corona pandemic to track chains of infection.

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Staff Sergeant Christopher Tim Lischewski on duty

Photo: Bundeswehr

SPIEGEL:

Mr. Lischewski, what would you be doing today if there wasn't a global pandemic?

Lischewski:

Normally I would be at a military training area now to train younger soldiers or new comrades.

SPIEGEL:

Instead, you are sitting at a desk.

What are your current tasks in the health department in Hamburg-Eimsbüttel?

Lischewski:

We are currently working in a two-shift system.

My comrades and I are on duty for a week, including weekends and holidays.

Then we have another week off.

For example, I call people who are in quarantine and ask about their health.

If people suddenly show severe symptoms, the health department can order medical tests.

And I call people to get them out of quarantine.

"In some phone calls we have to do a lot of persuasion."

SPIEGEL:

For many people, the quarantine is a stressful exceptional situation.

Do you feel that in the conversations?

Lischewski:

Absolutely.

In some phone calls we have to do a lot of convincing.

Some just don't want to admit that they have to isolate themselves now.

They start arguing around and making arguments that they gleaned from somewhere on the internet.

This can be exhausting and it simply costs a lot of time and delays the next call that you could make.

We want to prevent further infections as far as possible and so we all call against the clock.

SPIEGEL:

Are there any encouraging calls?

Lischewski: Definitely

, I get a lot of positive feedback.

Especially from older people who are also happy about the interim calls.

People find that they are not left alone with their worries.

That there are people who will listen to you, take you seriously and provide you with reliable information.

Many thank you for our work.

That motivates me and of course gives you something in return.

I have the impression that what I do helps people.

"I realized once again that nothing should be taken for granted."

SPIEGEL:

How do you feel when you hear that some people deny Covid-19 or think that it is all exaggerated?

Lischewski:

I notice the consequences of this illness every day.

When I speak to loved ones whose family members are doing very badly, for example.

That moves me.

Since then I have been much more sensitive to the topic and really no longer have any sympathy for critics or corona deniers.

I know that this is all "real".

SPIEGEL:

Would you rather be working elsewhere right now?

Lischewski:

  No, I really enjoy being here.

This work is necessary and useful.

And I enjoy it too.

Working with the civilian colleagues in the district office is a great experience, we were very well instructed here.

SPIEGEL:

What have you learned in the last few weeks?

Lischewski:

Especially in times of crisis it is important to stick together as family, friends, colleagues or comrades.

I just experience every day how valuable that is.

SPIEGEL:

Has this work changed your own attitude?

Lischewski:

I realized once again that nothing should be taken for granted.

Especially not your own health.

Our everyday life has changed so quickly.

When I have people on the phone who are upset that they can no longer go on vacation, it almost annoys me.

Because I also speak to patients at risk, for whom an infection with the virus can be fatal.

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