Rogan has been living with his wife and two sons in Santa Monica in the Los Angeles area for years, where he continues to practice despite a pandemic – albeit with limited patient contact. “We stopped everything except the essential, and that includes psychologists,” said the Viennese in an APA interview. The 20 percent of his patients are the only social contacts that the two-time Olympic silver medalist of 2004 has at the moment alongside his family.
“I have a lock with a clinical thermometer and masks and gloves. They go through the lock, where fever is measured. So far, it hasn’t happened that someone who has had symptoms has come, ”Rogan said. He now has more patients than before the pandemic broke out, since some had become nervous. Those with anxiety disorders are worse, those with depression are better off because of the general slowdown.
Economy before health
The situation in Los Angeles is “very strange”, especially blocked highways are currently not found. “There is no traffic in LA,” said Rogan. In the public space, however, only the campsites are closed, while the parks are open. “We go for a lot of walks. It’s a huge advantage in California, ”said Rogan. “It is not difficult to stay away from someone because everything is so huge.” The parking lots on the spacious beaches are closed, but the beaches themselves are not. “People go to the beach to run. The beaches are huge, ”said the Viennese native.
The surge in infections in the United States, which now has more cases than China and Italy, is only a little surprising for Rogan, who has also trained as a medic. The Americans had chosen more for the economy and against health, so was the attitude of US President Donald Trump. Rogan: “Trump is of course strongly on the side of the economy.”
When comparing health systems, Rogan Austria basically sees the US clearly. “The average health care system in Austria is much, much better. But if you have 10 million on your side, the health system in America is very good. On the other hand, if you have no money, the health system is almost nonexistent here, ”said the 37-year-old.
Rich athletes have an advantage
As a four-time Olympian, the 37-year-old is also concerned with postponing the 2020 Tokyo Games to 2021. Younger athletes would now have more time to prepare. It is worse for older athletes. “But I find the cases interesting where doping barriers expire. There are people whose doping barriers expire in September, October, November 2020. They shouldn’t have been to the games this year, but in theory they can do it in 2021. ”
Basically, Rogan sees rich athletes at an advantage in the now non-competitive period. Many of his patients have swimming pools or basketball courts at home. “They train at full throttle, like crazy people. The really motivated are getting better now. The most motivated will train incredibly. And those who are only dragged along by the system – who have a good trainer or who are in a good system – will rest a bit now. “
Fighting under water as a hobby
Rogan continues to work for Israel’s national soccer team and is the current Underwater Torpedo League champion. The finale in this form of underwater rugby, the “Aqua Bowl 7”, which Rogan and Co. won, took place on March 13th. “A great sport! The difficult thing is that you are in a fight. That is the full effort. ”But keeping him fit is less the sport than his two sons. “They keep me busy.”
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