May 18 2020
I am free! Well, I was never imprisoned but it sure felt like that under the pressure from various officials and talking heads demanding that we stay home, self isolate, wear masks and gloves, beaches closed, not able to go to a restaurant, and do many other things we took for granted just two months ago. Most importantly, many people were told not to work! Instead, the government allowed unemployment numbers swell by 36 million people.
There is normality in the fact that I was able to travel to Germany arriving yesterday, the 17th of May. It is not a leisure trip but it sure feels like that! I am here with one of my patients from California who is being treated by professor Vogl of the Frankfurt University, an expert in regional chemotherapy.
The procedure of getting to Germany was very simple: once we settled on the schedule, I wrote to the German border police via email attaching my letter, Professor Vogl’s letter, confirming that he is expecting us and treatment must be done without further delay, and copies of our passports. It took about three minutes to get an “OK”.
We booked tickets via Chicago (Lufthansa, just as other airlines, operates limited schedule with no flights from the West Coast available at this time) and with paperwork in hand boarded our flight to Frankfurt. The online check-in was not possible but the agent at the airport did not ask many questions and issued boarding passes after glancing through the paperwork. To our delight, a United Club at the O'Hare airport was open and agents greeted us warmly saying that masks are optional.
One of the first things we received on board was an official note that it is illegal to come to Germany without a valid reason. What is a valid reason although? Who decides, if we have a valid reason or not? We must!
The officer in Frankfurt spent about three minutes looking through the paperwork and stamped our passports.
All three airports: LAX, Chicago and Frankfurt were semi-deserted but not empty. Most of the food establishments and shops were closed with exception of convenience stores and … Duty Free. The flights LAX-Chicago and Chicago-Frankfurt were somewhat full. Once on board, the only people who were wearing masks were the crew.
We were greeted warmly by a chauffeur in Frankfurt who took us to the historic hotel Villa Kennedy in about 15 to 20 minutes. This drive usually takes 40 to 50 minutes.
The hotel was open through the lockdown albeit operating a limited number of rooms. We were greeted by a receptionist who was totally alone in the hotel. The room service is operating with a limited menu and the full wine list, which I am enjoying for the last two days. The pool, spa, and hotel restaurant are closed.
I had to write the letter confirming that my patient was in self-isolation for the last two months and that he was tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. I also had to write a letter confirming that I am negative. Surprise- surprise: nobody checked validity or even bothered looking at my letter and lab test reports. A brief chat with a receptionist got us into the hospital.
The university hospital seems to be operating at limited capacity but only because there are still bureaucratic restrictions. If you act as you belong, no questions are asked and you can go anywhere you want. The hospital staff is openly annoyed regarding restrictions. Everyone is wearing masks just for a show.
In Frankfurt, we found many cafés and restaurants are open with outdoor patios packed solid. Very few people are wearing masks. Most of the small services and shops are open as well.
The procedure went well and we are waiting for two more to be performed within a week. The morals of the story “knock and the door will open”! Do not believe government and private-sponsored propaganda focused on fear mongering, lies and incompetence.
Germans came to their senses, what are we waiting for?