March 2020 Localized Covid History

This is a local (Wiesbaden) history 'lesson' on the first month of Covid. 

I went back to the county health reporting in Wiesbaden for historical data.  The first confirmed case locally?  9 March 2020.....a couple.  They'd just returned from a trip to South Tyrol, Italy.  They did quarantine at home.

About five days later, there's a 5-year old at kindergarten who is tested, and has Covid.  Same day, a 27-year old gal with various symptoms is at a hospital and tested....confirmed to be Covid.  This is the day (11 March) that you start seeing a landscape of cities and numbers.

The 12th of March is when RKI (national institute that is agency for Covid for the federal government) starts to talk about a national epidemic (in the district news).  Over the past twelve days, a total of 129 cases are confirmed nationally.  

13 March: Events start to be cancelled now in the local region.  This is also the day that the local public bus company direct passengers to only enter from middle of the buses....not the front near the driver.  

14 March: This is the day that daycare centers are announced to be closed.  This is also the day that indoor city pools are announced to be closed.  

15 March: This is the day that the Irish Pub in town announced it's temporary closure because a guest is confirmed to have Covid.  It'll be closed for 2 weeks.  This is also the day that the city council announces a number of new regulations over Covid.

16 March: 19 residents in the city were tested positive for Covid on the day prior. A fair number of businesses in town are shutdown at this point....only groceries, gas stations and pharmacy operations continue to remain open.

18 March: A drive-in Covid-test-center is opened.

18 March: Police are now enforcing quarantine and hygiene rules.  Funerals now have guidance over who can attend and how they will function.  

19 March: the first Covid death from the city is reported.  68-year old guy.

20 March: groups of five are only allowed....anything beyond that, in a public setting, is forbidden. This is the first occasion where you get the hint that the public is advised to report on you....to the police.

20 March: Police are now advising the public of fake/fraudulent phone calls....where people are claiming to be the health department but they aren't the real health department.  The Premier-President of Hessen asks everyone to just stay home, period.  

22 March: New rule.....only two people (from different houses) can gather in public now.  If there are three of you standing on the street talking, with the cops stopping to ask questions....one of you is getting a citation and a fine.  

23 March: At the Wiesbaden train station....some drunk threatens two policemen with 'coughing' upon them and giving them Covid.  They confronted him....he reacts with his fists.....he's then arrested.  Taken down....he's tested (2.4 on the alcohol rate).  Taken to jail, and the hint that since he insulted the police....he might be charged.  I should note, no one says in the report if he was tested for Covid, or had Covid.  

23 March: City now advises (if you didn't get the hint before) you aren't supposed to be conducting parties in your house.  

24 March: Police confirm a second guy has made a threat of 'coughing' upon them.  This was downtown. 

27 March: City announces that recycling stations in town are on restricted hours/operations.  Questionable how to recycle now. Authorities have the police actively inspecting bars, clubs, restaurants, hotels, etc.  Over 135 citations have been issued so far.  531 people have been issued citations in the past week for 'hanging around' playgrounds in the city. Police are inspecting playgrounds and parks now....leaving the public stuck in their houses.  Other than working, hanging out in your backyard, or just sitting in your car is about the only way to 'escape'.

28 March: Hessen Finance Minister reported dead, suicide.  Stress of planning around cost of Covid for the state is blamed for his situation.  Most believed he was set to the next Premier-President as the current guy retired.    

31 March: Second death from city reported from Covid.  77-year old male, who had other health conditions.  There are reported to be around 4,000 people in Wiesbaden on quarantine (population of 283,000) presently.