Page 12 - Beyond COVID-19

Rethink, Reform and Reborn in COVID-19

OVID-19 has brought the whole world a new chapter in human families that often. Some may have not met their loved ones for
Chistory. The world seems to be paused and everyone is strug- months or perhaps a year because of geographical boundaries.
gling hard to survive this pandemic physically or mentally.
This makes us cherish every chance that we can see our loved ones
The pandemic has completely disrupted our life plan, but it also because no one knows what will happen in such an uncertain time.
brings surprises. We are forced to make changes and rethink how to COVID-19 has taught us a big lesson – never take things for granted.
make life works.
Bad things always come with good things. Apart from problems
As mentioned by Comparative Education Professor Edward Vickers that the pandemic has brought us, COVID-19 urges us to rethink our
at Kyushu University in online colloquium ‘Beyond COVID-19’ on life, reform the tradition and give birth to a new world.
February 19, education had changed a lot due to the pandemic.
Online learning has become popular, and it has brought a lot more
varieties to classroom and make academic exchange between differ- By Angel Woo
ent places easier.

Students and teachers from different parts of the world can meet
virtually without geographical constraints. Students can learn any- COVID-19 has taught us ”
where.
a big lesson – never take
The pandemic has also made us to rethink our social life. This is things for granted.
probably the first time that we are not able to see our friends and

Stay Hopeful at a Difficult Time

he whole world has been fighting especially when mental health resources are government has made me question how
Tagainst COVID-19 for more than a always inadequate in Hong Kong. Currently, data is processed after its collection.
year. Most of us have already lowered our only 400 psychiatrists are serving the 7.5
expectations of having a quick return to million local population. The government But I believe we can stay hopeful in this
normal. We miss the days when we could go must truly reconsider its priorities to address difficult time.
travelling and join gatherings. the urgent needs of mental healthcare
services. As Landscape Architecture Professor Jeff
As the pandemic continues, the growing Hou at The University of Washington and
number of vaccine approvals may give us The pandemic has unmasked problems in a Comparative Education Professor Edward
some hope. But can our lives really return to way nobody expected, and policy indecision Vickers at Kyushu University shared in
normal? I have my reservations. exacerbates them. online colloquium ‘Beyond COVID-19’ on
February 19, the pandemic allows us to
When adjusting to “new normal”, not only Some believe that self-discipline is more reflect on our current practices. Besides seiz-
do our daily routines change, but our mental effective in reducing infection of COVID-19, ing new opportunities, we can also be better
health and self-confidence are being deeply criticising government measures of being prepared when next crisis comes.
affected as well. selective and politically charged. In the past
25 lockdowns, only four out of the 24,000
During the pandemic, many are suffering tests yielded positive cases.
from anxiety and depression, and this is
indicated by the huge drop in scores of local The use of data in the tracking app “Leave
residents’ mental health index in 2020. Home Safe” also leaves me with suspicions.
Tracking is surely useful in limiting virus
The situation now is worse than ever, transmissions, but the poor attitude of the By Bonnie Yam