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.

Part 13 - 10.06.2021

1bdbc7b954200e1e5e93f69f483c2f13

How will people remember the Covid-19 pandemic? The neuropsychologist Junior Professor Dr. Monika Schönauer talks about what experiences the brain stores especially well.

40809cd096f3c00e158264603e3ba981

Prof. Dr. Rolf Backofen researches virus families using methods from bioinformatics. He explains why the Covid-19 vaccine can’t make sterile.

b97a1d0a33e3bab7d4e919a487148106

Literary scholar Dr. Anna Sennefelder discusses how the way we think about traveling has changed during the travel restrictions and why she doesn’t think we’re going to keep resolutions to take more sustainable vacations after the pandemic.

Part 12 - 15.04.2021

18967c194afe84ac1e02a9cb31f6b81e

The historian Prof. Dr. Jörn Leonhard explains the geopolitical and societal effects the corona pandemic could have on the course of world history.

de26a84397a0d67ba5d546331e299141

Prof. Dr. Ute Spiekerkötter, the Medical Director of the Department of General Pediatrics at the University Medical Center Freiburg, speaks about the psychological burdens generated by the pandemic and points out why vaccinating children and youngsters would make sense.

d340477cf0f96c5b71d01dcf53f9b83c

The doctor Prof. Dr. Jörg Meerpohl describes the evidence-based approach to researching and treating Covid-19.

Part 11 - 03.03.2021

f959c421fbac8d128989f6a0ee4946e1

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.

739b48059cd3e8be619c73184c5c5ae7

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

73ae3300efd552e356f4f3b656b67eee

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

aafc1822fcdc78cfd9c94ffbfad61b8b

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.

d7ffd52f09786a4c8c2c10cde687773e

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

403505a320243b21750a057b15662727

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

758d5d9ad7bb32338810fb717500e667

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?

f2bae7fced909c5ec1d357c6899c3f9a

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.

b8457df8bbb12cf8925b9e1653a5a7a4

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.

b3572e2eebd000decc2d068a0d5848fd

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

6f205c822148e701376e3c7d562601f8

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.

6c9231152cf83d52164bca2c4cbd83bc

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.

293ad879c15d8a7d9f223946d0e4a297

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

7d5c9bced5d8157649758296afa504d7

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.

f69b991ae39d26fbe8f2e139df8ec32e

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.

11ac37697b69c22831ef047ff31300d4

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.

8b56083374803aebb7c98635f77ba431

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.

af79a70e534d9866576bc9ed82be0f6d

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

f20c7b1945a57bf9673be4e26b95f475

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

3c76fa8525cfcfcad63dc1c38578a190

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.

417d60b75437a2896dd7d0a2777a0cc2

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

63da26f1dbbdc49f66e6b00a55a0dba0

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

a26b2d128cde544622888619881284ae

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.

681bd10826db4642db0648c4d51c834e

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.

312556643dd3c22802627526be121366

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

9b37bf736262481b6b58afb63053e6bd

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

bdfeb82044f98e42688ed0348c2f3334

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

Part 4 - 19.05.2020

8c8300f14ef5bebe7154b32004f0785f

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

22d9cfd49203fecc07a8f99662e1fa95

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

3793d0b2a9aa9f2fe2df01a0c9d48529

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

fc7be8857db55048e083aa121ce4d425

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

5d8f9b5f5ecf01465d40a99f9dca5b59

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

0af4a2cc5a286166ac19280f7e693536

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.

12154c6f13053c06c85cfae7775dd651

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

2abf1375e4da3ce44e95172bfad10aad

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

261adc2e1e3c9eb32616d4f9325c97ac

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.

67d472e70ca34fac2ee4be7e76399628

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.

26a221aed689e7b7c8ea770aededfd00

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

922bd370dba6643e2f3cbe26dd63d699

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

a912b9afce260ae4026ddb834cd8952c

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.

b7a769a3c71e245bc29a75dadc876b86

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