A Kaleidoscopic View of Corona

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less”: with this declaration Marie Curie once put the role of science in a nutshell – and at the same time grasped the essence of the human psyche. Anyone who can investigate, consider and create a meaningful blend of individual aspects tells a story that illuminates something about the world. And in times of crisis this is more important than ever: all around the world – as well as at the University of Freiburg – scientists from different disciplines are working to understand the novel coronavirus and its many consequences. In a new series of video podcasts, Freiburg researchers cast light on the corona crisis from different points of view.

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The physicist Prof. Dr. Alexander Rohrbach has developed a microscopy method for filming miniscule viruses like SARS-CoV-2 – this could allow him to investigate in detail how the virus binds to the cell.

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The nursing scientist Dr. Johanna Feuchtinger reports on how COVID-19 has changed hospital care.

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The philosopher Mathis Lessau explains why the coronavirus crisis has deepened the rift between supporters of alternative medicine and advocates of orthodox medicine.

Part 10 - 12.01.2021

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Epidemiologist Prof. Dr. Hajo Grundmann explains how experts predict the course of a pandemic, and why the infection numbers in Freiburg are lower now in January 2021 than elsewhere in Germany.

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Educational scientist Prof. Dr. Catherine Gunzenhauser talks about how to create an online learning environment that enables children and youngsters to learn successfully.

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Cultural anthropologist Dr. Julian Genner outlines how the corona pandemic has affected the prepper scene, that is, individuals who take steps to prepare for a crisis.

Part 9 - 17.12.2020

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Political Scientist Dr. Sebastian Jäckle presents the latest results of his public opinion surveys on questions such as: What does the public think of measures for coping with corona? What are people worried about and how much do they trust the media?

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Physical Education Professor Dr. Albert Gollhofer reports on how limits on sporting activities affect the body as well as the outlook for indoor, skiing, and mass sporting activities.

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Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Dr. Katharina Domschke explains how the lockdown can affect the human psyche and how people can handle this, including when they live alone or their daily routines have been disrupted.

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Theologian and Liturgical Studies Professor Dr. Stephan Wahle explains the significance visible symbols have for Christmas celebrations and debates whether online church services are a sufficient substitute for attendance in person.

Part 8 - 01.12.2020

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The jurist Prof. Dr. Silja Vöneky explains what it means when a vaccine against COVID-19 is defined as a “global public good” and explains whether mandatory vaccination would be possible in Germany.

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The music medicine experts Prof. Dr. Dr. Claudia Spahn und Prof. Dr. Bernhard Richter describe what role speaking and singing play in the transmission of viruses and what caution is called for when playing wind instruments.

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The theologian Prof. Dr. Ursula Nothelle-Wildfeuer explains whether the Church has made itself heard as an independent institution in the coronavirus crisis and to what extent Christian social teaching still serves as a model.

Part 7 - 11.11.2020

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Virologist Prof. Dr. Hartmut Hengel explains what researchers have learned about SARS-CoV-2 since the start of the pandemic and why measures to limit the spread of the virus are blazing new trails in public health.

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Jurist Dr. Rike Sinder describes how the legally guaranteed right to freedom of assembly can be implemented when more and more gatherings are being shifted into digital spaces.

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Professor of Constitutional Political Economy and Competition Policy Tim Krieger speaks about the possible effects of school closures on future career opportunities. He also examines the question of how another lockdown could be mastered.

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Prof. Dr. Judith Schlehe, an ethnologist, reports about how southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Laos, or the Philippines are handling the corona pandemic and the impact the virus is having on healthcare systems there.

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Political scientist Dr. Stefan Rother presents why the corona crisis is particularly hard on migrants. He also addresses the steps policymakers ought to take to avoid discrimination against different ethnic groups.

Part 6 - 28.10.2020

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Junior Professor for Societal Transition & Circular Economy Dr. Sina Leipold speaks about the connection between increasing environmental degradation and pandemics.

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The Head of the Department of Infectology at Freiburg University Hospital, Prof. Dr. Winfried Kern, reports about the routes of transmission and possible treatments for COVID-19.

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A sociologist, Prof. Dr. Nina Degele, outlines how the novel coronavirus pandemic has changed the way interaction unfolds in public spaces and promotes gender inequality.

Part 5 - 10.06.2020

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Melanie Arndt, Professor of Economic, Social and Environmental History, talks about coping with historic catastrophes.

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Dr. Franzisca Zanker and Michael Cobb from Political Science explain how African countries such as Ghana and Uganda are fighting the corona crisis and the shared initiatives underway on the continent.

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Eberhard Schockenhoff, Professor of Moral Theology, discusses the understanding of health and what ethical questions are important to medical care provision in times of crisis.

Editor's note: Eberhard Schockenhoff passed away in July 2020.

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Media culture specialist Deborah Wolf explains what accounts for conspiracy theories and how they can influence societies.

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Using gene scissors, bioanalyst Dr. Can Dincer is developing an innovative virus test which could also be used for Covid-19.

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Thamar Voss, Junior Professor of Empirical School and Lesson Development Research explains the challenges associated with home schooling.

Part 4 - 19.05.2020

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Sociology professor Manuela Boatcă casts light on why pandemics do not affect different populations in the same way and instead reinforce existing social inequalities.

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Analyzing the virus in real time: Dr. Björn Grüning explains what bioinformatics can contribute to research into Covid-19.

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Daniela Kleinschmit, Professor of Forest and Environmental Policy, describes the effects of the corona crisis on the many efforts to counter climate change.

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Opportunities shrink, uncertainties grow: Andreas Urs Sommer, Professor of Cultural Philosophy, discusses how society is coping with the challenge.

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Economist Prof. Dr. Bernhard Neumärker outlines the advantages of an Unconditional Basic Income – and argues that it could ensure greater solidarity in Europe.

Part 3 - 08.05.2020

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Prof. Dr. Sandra Destradi, expert in international politics, discusses the question of how the corona crisis is affecting global relationships and the power structures of states.

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Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hochbruck from the English Department compares and contrasts the behavior of Germany and the USA in dealing with the corona pandemic.

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Business psychologist Prof. Dr. Anja Göritz focuses on the difficulties of working in a home office – not least because it makes workers constantly accessible.

Part 2 - 28.04.2020

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How can we comply with compulsory mask wearing in our day-to-day lives – for instance when playing sport? Can breathing through a mask even help to train the respiratory muscles? Sports medicine specialist Prof. Dr. Daniel König provides useful clarity.

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How will religion and the church be changed by the corona crisis? Is so much suffering compatible with the concept of a kind and loving God? Theologian Prof. Dr. Bernhard Spielberg examines the question.

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Will the euro survive the corona crisis? Can economic science offer helpful guidance to politicians? Economic theoretician Prof. Dr. Oliver Landmann offers his assessment.

Part 1 - 15.04.2020

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Prof. Dr. Bastian Rapp explains how 3D printing can help when there is a shortage of PPE.

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Prof. Dr. Daniel König explains the effects of people limiting their range of movement for a long time on the body and the immune system.

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Prof. Dr. Stefan Hiermaier talks about the issue of resilience in technical management – for instance in the basic supplies of energy and water.