Jill Walgren grew up in Victoria and attended the University of Victoria, but since late 2002, she has been working as a teacher in Hong Kong, where residents got a seven-week jump in the battle against COVID-19.
Like many others around the world, Walgren is now doing her job at home. She relies on a range of online tools to work on math and science with middle-school students attending an English-language school.
In a FaceTime interview this week, she shared her strategies for daily living in an unsettling time with no end in sight.
Work days find Walgren, 62, with her laptop in a 700-square-foot flat at Discovery Bay, a residential development on Lantau Island, a fast-ferry ride away from Hong Kong鈥檚 centre. It鈥檚 a sharp contrast from her usual workplace, a busy environment of about 1,400 people.
After facing a steep learning curve to master online education options, Walgren speaks about them with enthusiasm. She can easily connect with her students individually and in groups of 30 or more.
When Walgren goes out, her new normal means wearing a mask in many places, especially the heart of the city, where it is expected, she said.
Residents are scanned by an electronic thermometer that doesn鈥檛 touch their skin before entering venues such as banks, restaurants and government buildings. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really good idea,鈥� she said.
Hand sanitizers and wipes are common.
Not only does Walgren wash her hands and clean her phone upon returning home, but like many Hong Kong residents, she washes her clothes.
Meditation and online applications offering calming breathing exercises are popular, she said, noting some people are also limiting their exposure to the news.
When it comes to social media, Walgren urges people to check the source of any information.
She is avoiding Facebook because of the large amount of virus-related content, choosing instead to connect with friends and groups via tools such as WhatsApp.
She has curtailed much of her normal socializing. For someone who has been active all her life, Walgren said: 鈥淭he worst part is sitting still.鈥�
She takes frequent steep hikes outdoors on a route that totals about 8,500 steps. There are few people around, allowing her to maintain social distance from others.
Recent weeks haven鈥檛 been all bad, Walgren said. 鈥淚鈥檓 getting more sleep. I鈥檓 eating better. I鈥檓 reading more. I鈥檓 probably getting more exercise. I鈥檓 connecting with friends more often 鈥� sometimes it is electronically.鈥�
At a recent book club meeting, members chose an outdoor venue, she said. That鈥檚 doable in Hong Kong, where the temperature is about 20 C right now.
Hong Kong鈥檚 Octopus card allows her to avoid handling money since it can be used to pay for public transport, shopping and health care when it鈥檚 loaded with funds.
As in North America, toilet paper has been quickly snapped up in Hong Kong. Walgren said she keeps about two weeks of groceries on hand, but does not feel the need to stockpile.
When measures were put in place to combat COVID-19, many people left Hong Kong for their home countries to avoid it, Walgren said. Now, they are starting to return because of breakouts abroad, fuelling fears that this could lead to more cases showing up.
Hong Kong officials have announced a 14-day self-quarantine for those arriving from abroad, and are introducing a number of measures to see that it is adhered to, which can include using electronic wristbands linked to a smartphone app.
As the weeks tick by, Walgren said, she keeps positive by thinking: 鈥淭his too shall pass.鈥�
She takes a pragmatic approach to the new normal and follows health and safety practices conscientiously, as do other Hong Kong residents.
鈥淧eople have been really vigilant,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t changes our point of reference about how we do things.鈥�
