Germany's First COVID-19 Patient Reflects on Five Years Since Diagnosis

Christoph Nitsche, the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Germany, shares his experiences, critiques of early pandemic management, and lessons learned.

Christoph Nitsche, Germany's first confirmed COVID-19 patient, contracted the virus in January 2020 during a meeting with a colleague visiting from China.
Nitsche spent 19 days in isolation at a Munich hospital despite showing no symptoms after initial mild fever and chills, which he recalls as a psychologically challenging period.
He criticizes the German government's early pandemic response, describing it as unprepared even with a small number of cases, and questions some of the strict measures imposed later.
Nitsche reflects on the personal toll of the pandemic, including missing family milestones, and emphasizes the importance of spending time with loved ones.
Now vaccinated and without long-term health effects, he hopes lessons from the pandemic will lead to better preparedness for future crises.