SRF Arena for Corona Virus: Comedian Marco Rima hits Daniel Koch

Comedian Marco Rima hits Daniel Koch at the SRF “Arena”

In the SRF arena, presenter Sandro Brotz dares to do an experiment. Instead of politicians, the people directly affected by Corona argue. With the comedian Marco Rima, who puts on the virologist’s coat.

“Welcome to a change of perspective”: With these words, “Arena” greets presenter Sandro Brotz on the SRF studio’s work day. They are not the politicians behind the stone stands, but those directly affected by the crown crisis.

Two of the guests are not completely unknown: athlete Mujinga Kambundji and comedian Marco Rima stood to the right and left of Brotz. The director of the Beat Bührer hotel and the stylist Pierina Fretz, who already had her first “arena” experience in previous programs, are also invited.

According to the progress of the program, they should report on their daily life with their crown. But it was not entirely without politicians and authorities. Business, union and education representatives are brought in via videoconference and provide a rare glimpse of private rooms. But more on that later.

Swiss sprinter Mjinga Kambundji begins. Actually, she would be on training ground now and preparing for competitions and looking forward to the European Athletics Championships in the summer. Instead, Kambundji trains at home on the exercise bike, with little enthusiasm. “The big goal is missing,” said the 27-year-old athlete.

You can’t even laugh at the comedian Marco Rima. The premiere of his last theatrical program would have been scheduled for the end of October. Whether this can really happen depends on the stars. That overwhelms him and hits his job. “I don’t know exactly how I should be creative now,” says Rima.

Hairdresser Fretz can now go back to work. But only under difficult circumstances. She was confused when she heard that hairdressing salons and beauty salons were the first to be able to open their doors again. “Especially those companies with close physical contact,” said Fretz. Now he works with protective masks and disposable coats.

The manager of the Bührer hotel has to be patient. Starting May 11, you will be able to receive guests again and “finally serve them French fries again.” Now he is working at full speed to implement the necessary protection measures and take a step towards normality.

Moderator Brotz wants to know, among other things, from Daniel Lampart, chief economist at the Swiss Confederation of Trade Unions, if this step towards normality is being rapidly whipped by the Federal Council. This reports from the home office via video, numerous guitar necks flashing in the background. “It is the right time to relax the measures again,” says Lampart.

According to comedian Rima, the turbo easing could have happened earlier. “The Swiss are on the move,” says Rima in a very statesmanlike way. “We no longer have to be afraid, even of a second wave,” he continues. Rima appeals to the personal responsibility of citizens. Whoever was sick had to do without. But to do your own risk assessment, you can trust people. Rima’s monologue appears quickly: “Are you not an epidemiologist, Mister Rima?” by moderator Brotz.

Rima also likes civil disobedience. He is always happy when he sees young people in groups of eight on the street who oppose all regulations and are “invincible,” or seniors shopping. “I wish people were a little bit friendlier. We need some joy and happiness in life again, which also strengthens our immune system. “

Director Jethro Gieringer from Baden has completely different problems. Gieringer, who now has to implement the requirements for the opening of the school on May 11 from the canton of Aargau in concrete terms, is working from one construction site to another. Currently, the days are very long and the circles under the eyes are large, he says by video.

For example, how should music instruction be carried out? Can 25 students sing at the same time? And where does the teacher stand in front of or behind the students? And how should a safety distance of two meters be maintained if schoolchildren have to operate a circular saw in the classroom and if teacher supervision is really necessary?

Questions about questions for which the country’s chief education director, Silvia Steiner, does not yet have specific answers. Steiner is also lit by video, Sunday plates and small wooden cylinders are stacked in the background, which confusingly resemble pepper mills. “In areas as sensitive as the factory lessons, you may have to take alternative steps,” says Steiner. She was happy to deal with these details at the base.

Gieringer and others now need a lot of staying power until all necessary problem areas have been resolved. Also the Kambundji athlete has to hold on a little longer. He still does not know if and when the first competitions can take place again.

But Kambundji is optimistic about the future, as he says at the end of the program. «In sports you learn to deal with defeats. And I think it is important to enjoy the current time and perhaps dedicate yourself to something else ». For example, you started teaching again for your studies.