Photo Essay - Coronavirus

A Day in Lam's Home

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in December 2019 has created anxiety and fear in Hong Kong. Some panicky residents have scooped up surgical masks, alcohol-based sanitizers, cleaning products and food staples. The government has imposed preventive measures, such as suspending all face-to-face classes and rescheduling university entrance exams. Increased numbers of Hong Kong people are staying home, and a shortage of medical items and the huge demand for the basics are impacting daily lives.

Lam Ka-Yi [on the left], a 2020 DSE school candidate, revises notes to prepare for her upcoming HKDSE examination to follow Education Bureau instructions staying at home. Her elder sister, Lam Lok-Yi [on the right], a university student, also received a school announcement on suspension of on-campus face-to-face classes. She spends her day at home watching Japanese animation, Detective Conan.

Lam’s family residence in Diamond Hill neighborhood. Looking through windows at Lam’s home, only a few people pass by the street next to the building.

“It is boring and depressing to stay at home all day long and still don’t know when these days will be over,” says Ms Lam, “Now, staying at home can feel like being in prison especially looking down the street below through this tiny window.”

Lam's family prepares surgical masks and portable hand sanitizers when family members have a plan to go out. The outbreak of coronavirus made Lam’s family cautious about self-protection.

“Unless buying daily necessities and go out for work, we stay indoor to save our stocks- face masks and alcohol- based hand sanitizer, ” Ms Lam adds, “Even though we temporarily have enough numbers of face masks, I am not sure how effective of those masks are probably going to save us from coronavirus.”

As a student, Lam Lok-Yi and Lam Ka-Yi are advised to avoid going to crowded places, stay indoors and are suggested to use e-learning for study.

“My school provided e-class learning activities online, but the problem is that only assignment resources are not enough for Form 6 students and holding online lessons is a voluntary measure for teachers,”she says. Her sister, Lam Lok-Yi questions the effectiveness of e-learning, as she is easier to lose interest, concentration and focus in class.

Lam Ka-Yi decides to study on her custom notes and does the past HKDSE mock paper for revising at the current stage until she gets the detailed updated information announced by the Education Bureau.

Piles of files and folders stocks including DSE exercise and textbook preparing for the upcoming 2020 HKDSE exam.

Lam sisters now used to eat 2-3 servings of fruit per day, to boost their immune system. Their Mother, Wong Hiu-Wan believes that there are simple ways to do in daily life to protect families from becoming infected with the new coronavirus, eating fruits is one of them.

Fearing viruses, Ms Wong reduces the times go to the wet market three times a week. Yet, the market is still packed with people who wear surgical masks.

Instead of a supermarket, she still goes to the wet market even fearing the risk of being infected. The reasonable price and the freshness vegetables attract Ms Wong to the wet market and stocking up vegetables and fruits for family members.

In the face of Hong Kong citizens snap up the rice, noodles, and essentials, Lam’s refrigerator is filled with food to ensure there is week storage of vegetables for meals.

Worrying to face food shortage soon, Ms Wong also stockes a box of instant noodles at home. “Although the Hong Kong Food Council says the food supply is stable in the city, stocking up on basics gives me a sense of security,” she adds, “It never goes wrong to take precautions, otherwise it is too late.”

The Hong Kong government advises employees to work from home minimizing the threat of coronavirus spreading in the community. Still, the father, Lam Kwun, has been required to work at the office. Like usual, he backs home at six before night falls, lies down on the couch watching TV. “Everyone is scared of catching the virus, but we still need to earn a living, ” he sighs,

“The only solution is working as usual as I do.”