In Germany, Big Brother candidates were made aware of the magnitude of the coronavirus epidemic on March 17, 2020. – Sat.1
Tears and petrified faces: the German version of the reality show Big brother revealed Tuesday night live to its candidates the extent of the coronavirus epidemic in progress, after having deliberately kept them in the dark for several weeks. When most of the applicants returned to the loft on February 6, the epidemic mainly affected Asia, with only a dozen cases in Germany. Today, the milestone of 200,000 cases and 8,000 deaths is on the way to being crossed worldwide, with over 3,000 dead in Europe.
The German private channel Sat.1 gave in to pressure from viewers and internet users who were increasingly protesting against his stubbornness to keep the 14 candidates of the show in complete darkness. From the first minutes of broadcasting, the host of the program, Jochen Schropp, seated alongside a doctor behind a glass screen so as not to take the risk of contaminating the candidates, explained to them that Germany, their relatives and the whole world were now facing a pandemic unprecedented in recent history. Caregiver Michelle burst into tears for the cameras, saying she was worried about her 55-year-old mother who suffers from lung disease.
Petrified candidates
To another petrified-looking candidate, the host said, “Pat, I can see fear in your eyes.” “My God,” exclaimed several of the candidates, most of whom remained frozen and silent at the news of the details of the global epidemic.
Most of them have been isolated since early February as part of this reality show, unrelated to the outside world. Four joined the group earlier this month, but were instructed not to say anything about the progress of the virus to comply with the broadcast rules.
After viewing reports on the coronavirus and its spread, the candidates were able to see reassuring messages from their loved ones, greeted with shouts and tears of joy. “Where you are, it’s probably the safest place right now,” jokes a woman to Pat. Another asked the candidates to bring back toilet paper at the end of the program, a product which is starting to become scarce on the shelves of German supermarkets.
Germany is one of the main centers of coronavirus in Europe, with more than 8,000 cases. As in many countries, life is slowing down, schools are closed and everyone is invited to stay at home.
The candidates, all in their twenties or thirties, are themselves cloistered in glass houses or sort of cabins in the premises prepared by the chain, observed by cameras which follow their every move.
“Cruel experience”
It all takes place in Cologne, a region which is the national epicenter of the spread of the virus. Twelve people have died there to date. The Sat.1 channel has attracted much criticism for maintaining its concept at all costs, prohibiting any contact with the outside world despite the pandemic in the name of the rules set from the start. The only exception is if a loved one dies or is injured. “What a cruel human experience,” said a comment on the show’s Facebook page. “I’m sorry for them,” said another about the group of 14.
During this broadcast, the public dismisses by vote one after the other the different candidates until the last one, who wins a prize in hard cash. Sat.1 ultimately only sprained the broadcast for the virus, interrupting it to inform the group. But it will now continue and be completed at the end of three months. On September 11, 2001, the American version of the program also released the candidates from their isolation to inform them of the attacks in New York and Washington.
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