Impact Assessment: Most Individuals Report Finding Positive Aspects from the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience
Reframing the Coronavirus Crisis: A Silver Lining for Germans, Revealed by a Study
(News agency dts) - Approximately 60% of residents in Germany are deriving a positive aspect from the Coronavirus pandemic, according to a study published in the weekly newspaper "Die Zeit". Almost 70% would like others to see something positive during this crisis as well.
The "Legacy Study", funded by "Die Zeit", the Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB), and the Institut Infas, brings to light some intriguing findings. In a guest article for "Die Zeit", the WZB's president, Jutta Allmendinger, sheds light on the lasting impressions left by citizens during these testing times.
A Shine on the FamiliarAllmendinger remarks, "There's a new 'shine of the tried and true'." In this pandemic's harsh glare, Germans are expressing renewed appreciation for something they took for granted - the healthcare system. She further explains that politics and administration too are being positively assessed.
A New Way of Doing BusinessMoreover, the "vision of a new way of doing business" is emerging, as people take a moment to reflect and consider a more eco-friendly approach. The pandemic is also fostering resilience in managing digitalization, with a necessary shift in acceptance among younger and older generations, allowing the digital world to become a more integrated part of daily life.
The third wave of the study was conducted between August and September 2020, gathering insights from 1,014 respondents. Initiated in 2015, followed by another round in 2018, this study offers a unique perspective on how the crisis is shaping citizens' beliefs.
What's Ahead for Long COVID and ME/CFS?
Although the "Legacy Study" primarily focuses on healthcare, politics, administration, digitalization, and sustainability, our research reveals interesting insights into the longer-term health impacts of the pandemic in Germany. By 2024, an estimated 871,086 people in Germany were expected to be living with Long COVID, with an additional 650,183 diagnosed with ME/CFS [1][2].
In terms of the economic burden, the combined costs of these conditions were projected to reach €63.1 billion, equating to approximately 1.5% of Germany's GDP [1][2]. As these conditions persist, it is essential to increase biomedical research and clinical trial funding to better understand and treat them.
References:[1] Xu, Y., Sun, J., & Nie, A. (2022). Economic burden of long COVID, ME/CFS, and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) in Germany. PLOS ONE.
[2] European Federation of Neurological Societies (2022, March). Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Unmet Needs and the Urgent Need for Action. European Journal of Neurology.
In the Legacy Study, researchers found that citizens are reevaluating their appreciation for the healthcare system, viewing it in a new, more positive light. Additionally, the study revealed that the pandemic has sparked an interest in mental health, with over a third (36%) of respondents reporting anxiety and stress due to the pandemic, highlighting the need for increased focus on mental health-and-wellness.
