Can you still hear or read the word "corona", dear reader? Or are you already suffering from an overdose? I certainly don't want to play it down. I'm in the risk group myself. My behavior has adapted, we no longer go shopping or have any physical social contacts.
For me personally, as an elected parliamentarian, life went from 100 to 0. That's how it will be when I'm no longer a member of the Grand Council. I will come to terms with not being invited to every event. But I will also be pleased that the marathon meetings and the reading and writing work will decrease and my workload will be massively reduced, meaning that I will only have to concentrate on my voluntary work. In addition, my life will allow us to go on lots of excursions and walks when the weather is nice. In the last three weeks, we have already walked around 75 km from home. Whether a lot or a little is not the point. We've been outside, in the sun, and that's what counts.
But now we also listen to SRF radio and read newspapers every day. There are reports about the rising number of unemployed people. Not only are young people increasingly unable to find work, but many employees aged 50+ are being made redundant - even though companies are announcing short-time working. I can understand the difficult economic situation employers are in. When all income suddenly disappears, it's a matter of survival. The temptation to lay off older employees because they are the most expensive in the team anyway is great. I've heard people say that some of them are relatively close to retirement. Older employees would receive a bridging pension and would certainly be happy...
Of course, young employees may have a family to support. If both husband and wife are working, it may still be possible. But with the financial burden of rent, health insurance, daycare costs, etc., young families are challenged like never before. Nevertheless, I very much regret it when companies have to put older employees - who have often been with the company for many years - on the street. I can only hope that useful platforms such as Seniors@Work will help to provide people in their mid-50s with a good future and interesting work even after the coronavirus crisis.
Arrogance, selfishness and a lack of appreciation are not an attitude in times like these. We must stand together to be able to deal with the drastic regulations and measures after the end of the lockdown. Older people, experienced people and experts are definitely needed in the jobs to help with the process and rebuild the economy. So, dear reader: Hang in there and stay healthy!
Beatrice Isler
