Five Years After COVID-19: Experiences, Lessons, and Challenges
- FRANKFURT, Germany (april 29, 2025) – René Hummerich and Heike Körber, who spearheaded the implementation of COVID-19 regulations at Goethe University Frankfurt, recently shared their reflections on the...
- Hummerich, head of the Occupational Safety Department, recalled the initial disbelief surrounding the virus.
- Körber, head of the Department of Biological Safety, emphasized the "feeling of helplessness" in early 2020.
Goethe University Officials Reflect on COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Table of Contents
- Goethe University Officials Reflect on COVID-19 Pandemic Response
- Goethe University Officials Reflect on COVID-19 Pandemic: A Q&A
- Q&A: Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic at goethe University
- Q: What initial challenges did Goethe University face at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Q: How did the workload of key personnel change during the pandemic?
- Q: What specific measures did Goethe University implement to manage the crisis?
- Q: What were some of the successes and shortcomings encountered during the pandemic response?
- Q: Can you share any personal experiences with COVID-19?
- Q: Were school closures a necessary measure at the beginning of the pandemic? Why or why not?
- Q: What are the key takeaways regarding potential vaccination mandates?
- Q&A: Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic at goethe University
FRANKFURT, Germany (april 29, 2025) – René Hummerich and Heike Körber, who spearheaded the implementation of COVID-19 regulations at Goethe University Frankfurt, recently shared their reflections on the pandemic period, describing it as intensive, challenging, yet ultimately productive.
Early Days: Uncertainty and Fear
Hummerich, head of the Occupational Safety Department, recalled the initial disbelief surrounding the virus. “At the turn of 2020, the coronavirus seemed distant, confined to TV screens,” he saeid. “By late January, it became clear we would be affected, but the extent remained unknown.The lockdown on March 22 and the harrowing images from Italy brought the scope into focus.”
Körber, head of the Department of Biological Safety, emphasized the “feeling of helplessness” in early 2020. “Transmission routes, environmental stability, and risk groups were undefined,” she said.”Even discussing mask efficacy caused uncertainty. The Coronavirus Update podcast by virologist Christian Drosten provided hope and grounded me in scientific facts. Later, I was moved by severe infections and the struggles with restrictions.”
Workload Surge and Crisis Management
Both Hummerich and Körber experienced a meaningful increase in their workload.
Hummerich described it as a “three-year work tunnel.” He noted that after Germany declared a national pandemic situation, the university established a crisis management team. “That’s when it began: endless calls and emails until national and state regulations were issued.”
Körber added that countless COVID-19 regulations were enacted, often changing rapidly. “We processed them, prepared data for university leadership, and posted directives on the website. We also handled numerous inquiries. Staying updated on infection rates and political measures consumed our time, even at home. Despite working over 70 hours a week, we were motivated by the successful implementation of protective measures.”
Successes and shortcomings
Körber highlighted the university’s rapid response to new regulations due to its “well-functioning crisis team.” She said,”social distancing and hygiene concepts for on-campus activities were implemented quickly. The university’s computing center rapidly provided technical solutions like online meetings and remote work. Flexible working hours are a lasting benefit.”
However, she noted that technical constraints hindered real-time email notifications to all staff. “We relied on website updates, which meant information was often lost or delayed, leading to numerous consultations.”
Personal Experiences with COVID-19
Hummerich contracted COVID-19 in 2022. “I probably got infected on a crowded bus in Darmstadt, surrounded by people partying. People were careless about masks, even though the pandemic wasn’t over.”
Körber was infected in January 2024.”I got it at a presentation against right-wing extremism. I was outside in a crowd and thought I was cautious enough. I was ill for three weeks and experienced taste irritations.”
School Closures: A Necessary Measure?
hummerich stated that at the pandemic’s start, closures and lockdowns were necessary due to a lack of knowledge about transmission and inadequate protective measures. “Later, with hygiene concepts and testing in place, closures weren’t strictly necessary. The assumption that children were pandemic drivers cannot be upheld. School closures should be critically reviewed for future pandemics.”
Körber said she understood the decision to close schools, citing parallels to the Spanish flu. “school closures had helped reduce infection rates then, although conditions were different.”
Vaccination Mandates: A Contentious Issue
Regarding a potential general vaccination mandate, Hummerich emphasized the importance of differentiating between a facility-specific mandate and a broader one. “The facility-specific mandate aimed to protect vulnerable groups. Whether a general mandate would have impacted the pandemic is speculation. It would require thorough scientific and societal evaluation and broad public acceptance.”
Körber framed the issue as a societal question. “Should vulnerable groups be protected through collective action, or should we prioritize the ’freedom’ of the majority? I’d like to highlight the prevention paradox, which posits that measures whose success is not immediately visible are often questioned afterward. On the whole,Germany managed the pandemic very well.”
Dirk Frank contributed to this report.
Goethe University Officials Reflect on COVID-19 Pandemic: A Q&A
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to universities worldwide. this Q&A provides insights into how Goethe University Frankfurt navigated this crisis, drawing on the personal reflections of René Hummerich and Heike Körber, who played key roles in the university’s response.
Q: What initial challenges did Goethe University face at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Answer: In early 2020, the university grappled with significant uncertainty and fear. As Dr.René Hummerich, Head of the occupational Safety Department, put it, “At the turn of 2020, the coronavirus seemed distant, confined to TV screens.”
He also explained that the extent of the impact was unknown and the images coming from Italy were harrowing. Dr. Heike Körber, Head of the Department of Biological Safety, highlighted the feeling of helplessness due to undefined transmission routes, risk groups, and the lack of consensus even on basic measures like mask efficacy.
Q: How did the workload of key personnel change during the pandemic?
Answer: Both Hummerich and Körber experienced a significant surge in their workloads. Hummerich described it as a “three-year work tunnel,” noting the constant barrage of calls and emails. Körber emphasized the constant need to process rapidly changing regulations and stay updated on infection rates, often working over 70 hours a week.
Q: What specific measures did Goethe University implement to manage the crisis?
Answer: The university established a crisis management team, which was crucial in the rapid implementation of new regulations. They also quickly adopted social distancing and hygiene concepts for on-campus activities. The computing center proved essential in providing technical solutions such as online meetings and remote work options. Flexible working hours became a lasting benefit.
Q: What were some of the successes and shortcomings encountered during the pandemic response?
Answer: The university saw success in its rapid response to new regulations,thanks to the well-functioning crisis team. Flexible working hours are a lasting positive change. However, technical challenges, like the inability to send email notifications to all staff, limited the effectiveness of information dissemination, often leading to numerous consultations consequently.
Answer:
Dr. Hummerich contracted COVID-19 in 2022,likely catching it on a crowded bus.He noted that despite the ongoing pandemic, people were not diligent about wearing masks. Dr. Körber was infected in January 2024 while attending a presentation. She recalls being ill for three weeks and suffering from taste irritations.
Q: Were school closures a necessary measure at the beginning of the pandemic? Why or why not?
Answer: Dr. Hummerich stated that at the beginning of the pandemic,closures and lockdowns were necessary due to a lack of knowledge,but that later on,with hygiene concepts and testing in place,closures weren’t strictly necessary. He added that the idea that children were the drivers of the pandemic cannot be upheld. Dr. Körber understood the decision to close schools and cited parallels to the Spanish flu.
Q: What are the key takeaways regarding potential vaccination mandates?
Answer: Dr. Hummerich emphasized the importance of differentiating between facility-specific and general vaccine mandates. A facility-specific mandate aimed to protect vulnerable groups, while the broader impact of a general mandate is speculative and woudl require thorough scientific evaluation. Dr. Körber framed the issue as a societal question, pondering whether to protect vulnerable groups through collective action or to prioritize individual freedoms. She highlights the prevention paradox, noting that measures whose success is not instantly visible are frequently enough questioned afterward.