Once upon a time there was a virus – how do you explain Corona to children?
"When can I finally go back to kindergarten?" Early morning. Our 4-year-old Janne is dressed in the bedroom with a backpack and messy hair. The alarm clock shows 4.30 a.m. The time when you can do anything except fall asleep again!
I am pleased that the dressing on my own finally worked out and still it slips out of me: "You are not combed yet." Then Janne slips into my bed and asks more urgently: "When can I go back to kindergarten, mom?" emphasizes it as if I was responsible! There is a growl from the pillow next to it.
I rub the last crumb of sleep out of my eyes, pull Janne towards me and consider how I can best explain the situation in the country to her. I should have done that a week ago when kindergarten was closed because of the pandemic, but somehow I was hoping the topic would pass us by and Janne and her siblings would have so much fun at home with their siblings for the next five weeks not missing anything. Well, we haven't had any fun yet, but fighting and motto faces all around and still unclear what Corona means.
I couldn't hope for my husband. "I'd rather Corinna," was funny only the first time.
My daughter's eyes stare wide at me in the half-dark bedroom. There is no going back today.
"Once upon a time there was a little virus. He lived in and with the animals and was little noticed by humans. But since humans unfortunately eat animals… ”Janne's eyes widen in horror. She doesn't like meat, it's a theater every time!
Okay again! “Once there was a virus, it was called Corona. Corona lived with the animals, and only when it got too boring did he join the people. After all, it was a lot funnier. They got around the world, had hobbies like playing football and riding and could read books and had television. ”“ And cell phones… ”Well, I realize I'm on the right track!
“Corona only visited the people in China because they live very close to each other and there is always a lot going on when there are a lot of people together. But at some point it got too boring for him and he came to Europe, to Italy, which he found exciting. At first he was only in the factories in the north of the country, but then he came to St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain … He loved the city of Rome. ”
My husband looks up from his pillow in horror. Okay, maybe too euphoric. I myself love the Eternal City and I could very well imagine a visit to an empty St. Peter's Square. Well, better not!
"And then Corona came to Germany, to us." Janne cuddles yawning at me. I am still correct. "Of course, he only visited the people in Germany who lived very close to each other because there was so much going on. He visited the little ones, the big ones, the young ones and unfortunately also the old ones. But the visit was not well received by the old and the sick. Because Corona, who was a virus, is a guest who unfortunately stays a little longer and brings a fever and sore throat. This was already known in Germany from the news from China and Italy. So the head of Germany and her ministers in the individual regions of the country explained that it is good to close places such as schools, kindergartens and, for example, old people's homes, so that Corona does not have too much fun. But just stay in one place. People, especially the old and sick, need special protection so that Corona doesn't stay as a guest, because if Corona stays, he draws so much vitality from them that they have to die. This cannot happen in young people because children and people like mums and dads have a better immune system … "
"With all the vegetables …," Janne mumbles sleepily, "… that we eat. But it is important to protect the elderly and the sick, which is why you can no longer go to Aunt Gudi's retirement home or McDonalds… ”
"… what we don't do anyway" murmurs from the pillow and I feel an old conflict.
"… and that's why", I continue unimpressed: "… the kindergarten has closed and all the children are playing at home for a while until Corona realizes that it is actually really boring for us and it works again."
I slide happily under my covers, for me the story is complete! The little body next to me is breathing deeply. My husband doesn't move, probably dreams of Corinna. In the children's room next door the door is opened, my son rushes into the bathroom and I hear him choking in the toilet. Great, hopefully he didn't leave any traces in the hallway. Quietly I pull my arm away from Janne, shuffle into the bathroom and take care of the visit of our unexpected guest, Magda, accompanied by my husband's snoring. Once upon a time there was a virus …
Would you like to read more about the topic and exchange ideas with other women? Then check out the "Coronavirus Forum" of the BRIGITTE community!