COVID-19: Between Quarantine & eLearning

Hello everyone!

After several months, two weeks of Christmas vacation in South Vietnam, a week of family visit in Thailand, moving to the new school campus, moving to the new apartment, etc., I have decided to report again on how we have been doing so far.

To put it simply: we are doing well! Close friends, family, and a handful of colleagues from Germany have contacted us frequently to ask if everything is okay. That was really comforting and we are grateful for it. 

The move to our new, large apartment with a great rooftop terrace in a beautiful compound has significantly improved our quality of life. The dogs are also comfortable, they have space and are thriving. The journey to the new school is acceptable, 35 minutes by school bus or 25 minutes by taxi is reasonable. The new school is actually spectacular, even though many things are not yet completely finished and have been solved with temporary solutions. As the substitute planner, I have my own office, and the concept of the school as a 'house of learning' is well thought out, and the facilities for science, sports, etc. are overwhelming. Now we just need some personal touches in the new building, as everything is still sterile and bare.

Work is still very challenging, the effort and what is expected from each individual exceeds anything I have experienced before. However, the unity of the school community and the quality of what is achieved every day is great.

Just before Chinese New Year, the bad news arrived: a novel coronavirus was slowly spreading in the metropolis of Wuhan. Chinese New Year means: 1.3 billion people travel throughout the country to visit their families. What that could mean was only vaguely imaginable, as the facts were very scarce. We flew to Thailand as planned to meet the German and Thai family. Even at this early stage, there were practically no people at the airport who were not traveling with face masks. Entry was only allowed after temperature measurement! Nevertheless, travel was not restricted, and so the virus spread exponentially within 1 week. In Thailand, the next bad news: school would remain closed until at least the end of February. That was 3 days before the start of the school year. As a member of the media concept group, a functional online platform for eLearning was established within 3 days, so that eLearning replaced regular classes from day 1. At that time, we were scattered all over the globe. And... it worked! The transition to the most extreme form of digital teaching was implemented here by teachers and students in 3 days. After numerous evaluations by parents and students, numerous Zoom meetings within the secondary school, online teaching reached a high level within 3 weeks. Video tutorials, interactive quizzes, and group work were created via the internet, followed by class community lessons via Zoom. And now, 6 weeks later, it can be said that the digital learning curve is very steep. Such qualification of teachers and students would never have been possible in regular classroom teaching. That is the positive aspect that can be drawn from this situation. However, it also reveals that a computer or webcam can never replace the personal interaction between teachers and students. Digitization can only complement education, but not completely replace it in the long run.

Now, my impressions outside of school: the reaction of the Chinese central government in Beijing was tough. The restrictions on personal life and the intrusive measures were massive. The 26-million metropolis Shanghai deserted... empty streets, closed businesses, empty metro, people in protective suits, empty playgrounds, mandatory masks... a eerie atmosphere. In principle, 1.3 billion people in China lived in home quarantine for several weeks. The reaction of the people: 'Okay. We will stay at home to protect others.' No complaints (which is also not welcomed here!). And what is the result? 8 new infections in all of China on Friday, 6 weeks later. So, it worked! It must be acknowledged that the measures were tough, but overall necessary. And the West: chuckled and often made fun of the disease. Learning curve? Non-existent or barely there! Yesterday, I read an article in the New York Times that said: China bought time for the West, but we did not use it! I think that is exactly the point. Ignoring a global development combined with inconsistent, federal actions and complete lack of information now leads to what we are observing from afar: irrational mass hysteria! When I read the posts on social media, I can only shake my head. The comparison with the seasonal flu is so utterly misplaced that I am speechless! However, Corona is NOT a reason to panic! But: the virus is a reason to be cautious and considerate with oneself and others! It shows that a society founded purely on individuality can be a danger to itself. From my point of view, one should act rationally, calmly, and well-informed, always considering others. I frequently question why a government in such a situation cannot limit personal rights without fear of being voted out? Why does everything have to be discussed at the local level until a critical point is reached? There was a chance to nip the spread in the bud, but now the West must face it too! And what is China doing? It is isolating itself out of fear of re-imports! It sends masks to the USA and sends experts to Italy. Since yesterday, Germans arriving here have to undergo a two-week quarantine. The USA and Italy are also in the highest-risk group. Escort from the airport to the state-monitored hotel room or apartment is guaranteed. So, the article in the New York Times hits the nail on the head!

Since two weeks ago, normalcy has returned to Shanghai. People are still cautious, but they are going out again. The streets are filling up, children are playing outside again, and restaurants are reopening. Rush hour traffic jams are back. Everything is done with masks and strict controls and temperature measurements. But we have gotten used to it and continue to wait for things to improve. The school is still closed and everyone involved is waiting for it to reopen. We have successfully overcome it, and Germany and Europe will also overcome it, if the necessary precautions are taken uniformly. However, it didn't have to come to this.

Stay safe and healthy!