Page 15 - Beyond COVID-19

Under the Shadow of Social Distancing: Touch

Starvation

uring the pandemic, social distancing has become a common
Dphrase and practice. Hong Kong has been exercising drastic
government restrictions regarding social distancing. For example,
restrictions on social gatherings, bans on evening dine-in services
and use of certain venues for group activities.

Scientists and medical experts are still trying to learn more about
COVID-19 and members of the public have little knowledge about
the deadly virus. Therefore, I practiced perfect social distancing to
prevent infection. Yet, I cannot do it anymore.

Starting from last month, I have been stepping on “grey areas”. One
example is gathering with several friends at a private place (my
friends’ home).
This is “pandemic fatigue” which means feeling tired of the
pandemic measures. I am well-acknowledged about the threat of
contracting COVID-19. But the desire for human contact overrides
the fear of being infected. Human interaction is missing during the pandemic due to social
distancing.
I have been communicating with friends through texting, but it
is awkward to see each other in person again. Human contacts
facilitate human interactions which virtual platforms cannot replace.
Virtual platforms maintain communication. But to foster strong
bonding, I think human interaction is a must.

Human interaction is wordless communication that contributes to
intimacy and instant affection. I find myself withdrawing from rela-
tionships without interacting with my friends. Now, I finally realize
the importance of human touch and emotional interaction.

The biggest lesson I have learned from the pandemic is to cherish
human interaction. After the pandemic, chat with your close ones
face-to-face, rather than staying on your phone with them. Offer a
warm hug to show your affection, rather than by sending kissing
emojis.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope to say bye to COVID-19
soon!
Feeling of awkwardness is aroused when friends see each other
By Gloria Chan again.

Talking Over Seas

niversity students and professors from Hong Kong, Japan and the introduced how journalism is surviving in the pandemic.
UU.S. gathered to discuss pandemic issues in an online colloquium
on February 19. Due to risks of infection, journalists now have difficulties flying
around the world to cover stories. Lam is concerned with student
Jeff Hou, a landscape architecture professor from the University of reporters’ safety and gave them useful advice like conducting inter-
Washington, gave his observations about civic resilience. views through phone or video calls.

He pointed out that inequality is deepening and people will have to Before ending her lecture, Lam left students some tips, “Don’t let
help each other. To support his idea, the professor showed pictures of new tools control you. And remember: read books that can stand
non-government organisations’ efforts made in community projects in against the test of time.”
Hong Kong, Manila, China and the U.S. “We noticed that governments’
response was lacking in many places,” said Hou. By Jack Deng

Professor Edward Vickers, who teaches comparative education at
Kyushu University, also gave a lecture to students.
“
Vickers believes that functions and purposes of higher education are Universities should not only
damaged since many universities have shut down face-to-face teach-
ing due to the pandemic. “Universities should not only teach students teach students working skills,
working skills, but also sociability,” he claimed. but also sociability.

Lecturer Agnes Lam from The Chinese University of Hong Kong