As people around the world are affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Biophysical Society is sharing stories from members about how their lives and research have been impacted. 

Pernilla Wittung Stafshede, Chalmers University of Technology & BPS Council

Gothenburg, Sweden

Hello fellow Biophysicists

Wow, how fast the situation can change.  When I was at the BPS Annual Meeting in February in San Diego, I did not worry about coronavirus. Yes, it was spreading in China, but it felt far away. I never imagined the situation we are in today in Europe and in the world. Now I know too much about the coronavirus. Truly, I did not get worried until last week Tuesday, when they closed down all of Italy and my own Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences canceled the chemistry class meeting in Stockholm because of concerns for its mostly older members. In a week, so many new restrictions have been introduced in European countries and there are likely more to come.

In Sweden today, everyone should work from home if possible, people over 70 should isolate themselves, high schools and universities moved all teaching to online; big gatherings are forbidden so most entertainment venues closed, like cinemas, theatres and even restaurants. Elderly homes have closed to visitors. I cannot see my dad anymore as he is in a home for people with dementia. We likely will see elementary schools and daycare close next week… The government says it is preparing for it. Borders are closed, flights are canceled. Companies are already starting to fire people; smaller companies go bankrupt. Everyone is told to practice social distancing and to stay home as soon as one has cold symptoms. The biggest sports event in Sweden this time of year, the hockey play offs, was canceled and we have no winner. People have bought all toilet paper there is in the stores. Even the milk was sold out this weekend…

At my university (like most universities in Sweden) in addition to moving teaching online, we cannot travel anywhere, and no visitors can come to campus until May 31. All meetings should be digital and if work permits, we should work from home in the coming month. We can still do experiments in the labs. This may change though. It is said that we are only in the beginning of the pandemic. It hard to imagine. The whole situation feels surreal.

It makes me think about what is important. How can I help society? If we are in this for a long time, which it appears we will be, we must all help and compromise. Are my own research projects and students the most important things I should focus on in this new situation? I do not know. As I have written about here before, I am the leader of a big gender initiative at my university called Genie. Well, who can improve the academic culture right now? It is not possible. I must put all my exciting plans and faculty engagements on hold. Still, we must keep a guarding eye out as a crisis like this (or even the pre-crisis at my university of having to save a lot of money in the coming three years) often affect women more than men. When schools close, most often the women will stay home. Women often have the least secure positions and will get fired first. There may be a set-back in gender work all around the world due to this virus.

Apart from work, I worry about my family. What do I say to the kids? I do not want to scare them, but I do not have the answers (although I am a professor). My oldest daughter is set to graduate from high school in June. Can she? I do not know, but I invited guests to the accompanying party to stay positive. What if all conferences and private travels will be canceled in the summer (or longer), what will people do? I like to work from home, and like most other academics I have a bunch of things I can work on, but not with everyone else in the family at home too. To not go crazy, we must find a new ‘normal’ soon - so life can go on, although in a different way. We will get out of this, with time, but maybe the world will become permanently different? I do not think I have grasped the magnitude of this pandemic yet. It is scary.

 

Would you like to share your experience in this difficult and uncertain time? Email your perspective to [email protected].