Page 14 - Beyond COVID-19

Battling COVID-19 in a World of Inequality

hen a virus is spreading, accessible healthcare is something are highlighted during the pandemic and relief packages cannot
Wpeople need. But for some, that basic necessity becomes a solve these completely.
dying wish.
When government responses are
I remember spotting a term “the slow, it is up to the citizens to work
indiscriminate virus” popping up when together. Throughout the past year,
the pandemic broke out. People call it volunteers and NGOs have been
that because the virus targets anyone, helping those in need. They give free
regardless of race, gender and wealth. masks and food, provided shelter for
But racial, gender, and social inequality the needy.
problems have existed for long. It is
hard to say if the virus is truly “indis- You don’t have to take big action to
criminate.” help. A couple of friends and I made
small care packages for some of street
According to the World Economic sweepers in our neighborhood.
Forum, black Americans suffer most
from COVID-19. They are more likely to But the problem of inequality cannot
live in areas that have limited access be eradicated with or without COV-
to proper healthcare. And for most ID-19. The virus has torn open scars
black Americans, working from home is of our society, and citizens have made
not an option because they usually are small but meaningful efforts to treat
essential workers. The same goes for the wound. We shall continue to fight
ethnic minority groups in the United beyond COVID-19 for a better world.
Kingdom.
Free face masks, hand sanitiser and food are given out to
Hitting closer to home, frontline
workers in Hong Kong are also facing the needy by volunteers and NGOs during the pandemic.
similar problems of inadequate access to
medical and social resources. Problems By Gabriella Lynn

Live Shows during the Pandemic

he pandemic forces people around the The number of shows is reduced which ened. My friend had to afford extra refund
Tworld to keep social distancing with means less people can get ticket to enjoy. fee of traffic and hotel.
each other, which also brings changes to the And as the situation of the pandemic is
live show industry. unstable, some shows are cancelled right Similar situations keep happening during
before the scheduled performing day. the pandemic which makes live show lovers
With many offline concerts postponed or think twice before buying a ticket.
cancelled, fans cannot meet their idols in On January 9, 2021, I supposed to go enjoy
person. Instead, entertainment companies a live show of a Chinese band named Muma To keep social distancing, more and more
try to hold fee-paying online concerts to in Shijiazhuang. But at that time, a severe people choose to do outdoor activities like
make money and also bring some comfort wave of pandemic happened to hit Shiji- picnics and hiking. But for live show fans,
to bored fans. azhuang. The show was postponed to April they are still looking forward to a stable
and I had to claim a refund. situation for them to enjoy live shows.
But for theatres and live houses in China,
the situation is different. As theatre fans and A friend of mine bought a ticket to Shang-
live band fans prefer live shows, restrictions hai Strawberry Music Festival in December,
on offline activities can really make them 2020. But the festival was cancelled because
suffer. the restriction on offline activities was tight- By Glacier He

Live band performances in China.