Claudine Otto: "Greater autonomy regarding globalisation should be considered at European level"

The streets have been deserted since the lockdown was declared. The most striking thing is the silence. Gone are the race for jobs, travelling abroad for a two hour meeting, the honking horns of city traffic, the bus that doesn't come...

Like so many others, we have complied with this forced confinement, trying our hardest to deal with this new way of life. While teleworking was easy for me, it was inconceivable for my husband, as his job and the infrastructure were (and are still) not suitable for it. This lack of suitability cost him several sleepless nights as a result of record absenteeism by his employees. Fear has spread at least as fast as the virus itself.

Now that the first wave has passed, I wonder what mental, social and economic condition we will be in when we emerge from this crisis. If the pandemic allowed for a new hierarchy of needs and environmental awareness, it has also borne witness to individual behaviours on a national and global scale. No one in Luxembourg would have believed that the borders could be closed again. Cross-border work is essential in the Grand Duchy and the restriction of free movement of people has led to fears such as a shortage of healthcare workers.

This crisis is also an opportunity for introspection regarding our own vulnerability. We are discovering that we are dependant, not only on healthcare workers, but also on each other's behaviour.

We will achieve the economic recovery together. Let's avoid nationalism and the collapse of economies while some countries discuss nationalising value chains in the name of resilience. Greater autonomy regarding globalisation should be considered at European level. With this crisis, we have the opportunity, for example, to stop for a moment, which should help us reflect on ourselves.