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Leipzig city center
Photo: Jan Woitas / dpa
What happened?
In April I said on the phone to friends who live in other federal states: "Luckily I'm in Saxony, the numbers are low here."
If you live in Saxony, you are rarely envied by people outside of Saxony.
At the time, I couldn't explain why the numbers were so low.
Maybe because there is no carnival in Saxony or because Saxony has a lower population density than, for example, NRW.
But all of this is speculation.
The view in April was mostly out of the window.
In my circle of acquaintances, masks were diligently sewn before there was even a mask requirement, they stayed at home, and planned self-quarantine at shared kitchen tables before the Free State drew up the relevant rules.
The parks and pretty Wilhelminian-style streets were strolled up and down.
It was discussed whether Corona would lead to a more solidary society.
It was hoped to protect yourself in order to protect others.
The numbers stayed low.
Leipzig felt safe.
The lavish architecture, wide sidewalks, long streets, spacious parks.
The city went from being something I moved on every day, on foot, by bus, train, and bike, to something I looked at.
In which I read like a book.
I walked around town like it was a museum.
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