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In mid-September Christopher Tim Lischewski exchanged the flecktarn for a light blue shirt with epaulettes, 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 currently deployed in the fight against the corona pandemic to trace the chains of infection.
SPIEGEL: Mr. Lischewski, what would you be doing today if there was no global pandemic?
Lischewski: Normally, he would now be in a military training area to train younger soldiers or new comrades.
SPIEGEL: Instead, you are sitting at a desk. What are your current duties in the health department at Hamburg-Eimsbüttel?
Lischewski: We are currently working on a two shift system here. The 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 may order medical tests. And I call people to get them out of quarantine.
SPIEGEL: For many people, quarantine is an exceptionally stressful situation. Do you feel that in conversations?
Lischewski: Absolutely. In some phone calls we have to convince ourselves a lot. Some just don’t want to admit that they have to isolate themselves now. They begin to argue and present arguments that they have obtained from somewhere on the Internet. That can be tiring and it just costs a lot of time and delays the next call you might make. We want to prevent more infections as much as possible, so we are all against the clock.
SPIEGEL: Are there also uplifting calls?
Lischewski: In any case, I get a lot of positive feedback. Especially from older people who are also happy with tentative calls. People find that they are not left alone with their concerns. That there are people who listen to them, take them seriously and provide them with reliable information. Thank you very much for our work. That motivates me and, of course, gives me something back. I have the impression that what I do helps people.
SPIEGEL: How do you feel when you hear that some people deny Covid-19 or think that everything is exaggerated?
Lischewski: I experience the consequences of this disease every day. When I speak with loved ones whose relatives are in very bad shape, for example. That moves me. Since then I have been much more sensitive to the subject and really no longer sympathize with critics or crown deniers. I know this is all “real”.
SPIEGEL: Would you rather work somewhere else right now?
Lischewski: No, I like it here. This work is necessary and useful. And I also enjoy it. Working with our civil colleagues at the district office is a great experience, we were given very good instructions here.
SPIEGEL: What have you learned in the last few weeks?
Lischewski: Especially in times of crisis, it is important to be united as a family, among friends, colleagues or comrades. I experience every day how valuable it is.
SPIEGEL: Has this job changed your own attitude?
Lischewski: Once again I realized that nothing should be taken for granted. Especially not your own health. Our daily life has changed very quickly. When I have people on the phone who are upset that they can’t go on vacation anymore, it almost bothers me. Because I also speak with patients at risk, for whom a virus infection can be fatal.
