Mavis
When the outbreak of COVID-19 started in north America in March 2020, I have been living in fear throughout the pandemic. Asian hate crime has increased more than before, many people has blamed asian ethnicities for "spreading the virus" around the world. Although I am afraid that something terrible could happen to me, I try not to have this negative thoughts in my head too often. On the bright side of my COVID experience, I have had more time to focus and reflect on myself, I have spent more time with creating new art projects, and have started learned to do new activities such as sewing! After spending more than fifteen months isolated with my roommates, it feels quite strange to interact with others outside the household. Perhaps I have been isolating myself for a while and have disconnected with society.
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Untitled: What We Do in Our Contemporary Life, Mavis Keung, 2020, Acrylic on Masonite, 16" x 20" |
This is a painting of a portrait of myself sitting in the bathroom. I have selected this work as part of the archive because this is an action that (I believe) majority of people would do when they are using the washroom by themselves, especially in the 21st century. I want to express the enclosure of space in this painting, this evokes the isolation that we are in during the lockdown, wether we are living with our family, friends, roommates, or even by ourselves. When the University of Guelph has announced their cancellation for Winter 2020 classes, we have been relying on technologies in order to be connected with one another. While there was not much to do during the pandemic other than staying at home, our entertainments, watching the news, perhaps starting a new (or old) hobbies. From my experience during this pandemic, was browsing my phone for talking to my families who live on the other side of the world, online shopping, watching movies and tv shows on the internet, and 'going' to classes. |
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A screenshot of myself, my studiomates, and my professor during a Zoom class taken in December, 2020. The reason I included this is that it gives insight into what our classes look like during this period. We cannot see each other because of the risk of exposure to COVID-19, so this is how we communicate with others around the world. Virtue meetings and learning have become the key role within our daily lifes. It has become convenient for some people, because there is no rush to get ready and go to work or class. The good parts of attending to work or classes remotely flexible time management. If a lecture has been recorded, it is easier for students to go back and review the video, as well as taking notes that they might have missed. However, the downsides of virtual learning are that we are unable to see each other face to face. It is impossible to interact with others when everyone is sitting behind a screen, we have to rely on everyone to check their emails. Motivation was also another issue for many. As we are isolated in one space without being able to step outside of our homes to adjust into a different study or work environment, it can be difficult for some people to stay focused. |
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| Global mental health crisis looming due to coronavirus pandemic, UN warns |
This news article explained how isolation has effected many people's mental health. As we entered the first lockdown, most people were in a panic state. There were empty shelves at the grocery stores, masks were mandatory in all indoor places, and sanitation for any utilities that are used by the public. Besides that, many people have lost their occupation at the beginning of the pandemic, and we have been living with our families, roommates, or alone. Although there is more time to spend with others at home, mental health has worsened than before, particularly on some who live by themselves. Mental health has an impact on many individuals, especially for those who are already suffering from anxiety and/or depression due to various reasons. Job loss leads to lower incomes, and unable to financially support themselves and their families. Losing a friend or a family member during quarantine is devastating as well. These issues can majorly influence one's mental wellbeing (i.e., causing stress, sadness, grief). At this time, it is very difficult to not see our loved ones, the only connection we have to others from around the world is using FaceTime or Zoom, and other social media platforms such as Intagram, Twitter and Facebook. I am also one of many individuals who is trying to maintain a healthy wellbeing during lockdowns. There were some difficult times that I had at the time. I was living by myself at one point because all my roommates have gone home. It was somewhat exciting to have a house by yourself becasue you can do anything comfortably (e.g., singing without the worry of others hearing you). However, there were times where I felt lonely, I was afraid to step outside of my home to see my family due to covid-19, we also tried to avoid to see each other because we want to prevent spreading the virus. I enjoy living alone until loneliness beckons me from behind. I often try to remind myself that my friends and family will be there for me whenever I need, and I will be there for them if they need. |
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Pandemic History Visualisation The Pandemic History Visualisation also shows a table of major pandemics that have happened over time. The table has four columns, at the top it has indicated the following: Name of Disease, Time Period, Type/Prehuman host (i.e., conoravirus / bats, camels) and number of death toll. With Covid-19 compared to other disease from the past, it seems that it is not as scary as it sounds. Although the number of death is still high (2.7 million according to John Hopkins University in March 16th, 2021), death numbers are lesser than the Black Death in 1347-51. As the diagram showed above, coronavirus is placed at the front of the timeline. With other diseases lined up together, they were more serious than covid-19. Perhaps this is because scientific technologies were not as advanced as now. |
COVID Q&A
Describe the moment you realized how serious COVID-19 was:
For me, it was when I heard someone was infected in Toronto and taken a GO bus to elsewhere. Another moment that I realised how serious COVID-19 was when all essentials such as canned food, toilet papers, paper towels, cleaning supplies were all empty in every grocery stores. It's horrifying to see some people are as scared as ourselves and some are selfish of them to take more than two dozens of toilet rolls.
What did you learn about yourself or the people you live with during COVID-19?:
During the pandemic isolation, I have learned more about people who I was living with (I was living with my former partner and his parents for a few months), and sadly to realise that it was not something I wanted to have in the future. When I have moved into my new place, I have became closer with my roommates, as well as getting to learn about them at a personal level, rather than only knowing the surface.
Other than wearing a mask, what was the biggest change you made to your daily life? Do you think this change will remain when all lockdowns are lifted?:
One of the biggest change that I have made during the pandemic was washing my hands more frequently, as well as cleaning my devices. Before covid, I did not take washing hands as serious as I do now. After the lockdown, I hope to keep in mind to always wash my hands everytime I go home, or before touching my face, or eating with my hands.
Have you learned any new skills during the pandemic?:
Painting is one of the skills I have learned. Although I do paint some times, I never learned about the concept of painting, such as using under-paintings. It is a light washed paint that goes on a canvas which can be easier to apply colours on top. Painters can use this technique to easily apply other colours to gessoed canvases. Observing objects has also taught me about differences in tone in colour. For example, when painting, try to avoid using the following four colours that your eyes can see: white, black, grey and brown. Our eyes can be tricked by pictures or objects that contain a variety of colors due to the way lighting affects them. Adding dark purple to black drapes, for example, can make a difference.
How do you feel about university education in the last year?:
Last year was an interesting way to attend university. At first, it was so great to know that attending to classes was only via virtual meetings, which means that there is no rush to get all dressed and take any transportations to campus (or driving). It is great to have recorded lectures because students have an opportunity to alter the speed of the lecture, as well as open/close subtitles for the video. However, the negative side of virtual learning for me was finding the motivation to keep up with assignments, and trying to focus in one space. It is extremely impossible for me to sit in one room all day, and everyday to complete assignments.
List one positive thing and one negative thing you'll take away from 2020:
A positive thing that I would like to take away from 2020 was the free time we have had during the pandemic. I enjoyed spending my free time creating art works, play video games, perhaps reading books as well. A negative thing would be the given opportunities that I have missed. Before the pandemic, which I didn't predict to experience and to plan a scenario of my future in my head, I have always told myself 'I'll do that next time.'. Due to our stay-at-home order for many months, I have realized that I have not only missed out on opportunities in the past, but also wasted time. During the first outbreak of covid-19, I was 20 years old and now I'm turning 22, so the time in between seem like a blur.
What is the best movie or TV show you've watched, or the best book you've read, in the past 18 months?:
At the beginning of the pandemic last year, I started watching a new show (for me) called Friends (1994-2004). I do not usually like sit-com shows, however, it is now one of my favourite shows to watch. Other new TV shows that I have watched were Modern Family (2009-2020), the Queen's Gambit (2020), and New Girl (2011-2018). I have also rewatched a number of movies, such as Spirited Away (2001), Ratatouille (2007) , Burlesque (2010) , PitchPerfect (2012) and all Marvel movies.
How large of an impact do you think COVID-19 has had on your mental health?:
I was living by myself at one point during last year summer (2020), and it can be quite lonely. Although it was lonely, I have the extra time to reflect on myself, and planning for the future. While living alone, it gave me an idea of what it would be like living by myself in the future once I graduate from university, it has given my a more reality of life. However, the dark side of being alone was having negative self talk, which I have struggled sometimes, but I do know that I always have my friends and family to talk to when I'm feeling at my lowest.
How has technology impacted your life during lockdown?:
The impact of technology in my life has increased since the first lockdown. I have been relying on my laptop and mobile devices to be entertained, keep connected with the social world, as well as global news. It was the only way for my to communicate with my families who live on the other side of the world. It sad to realise that everyday I wake up, my first action (other than opening my eyes) was to grab my cell phone, as if it is chained into my hand.
How has the pandemic brought wider acknowledgement to systemic racism in Canada?:
There has been more recognition of systemic racism in Canada than ever before. In early quarantine, an African American male was murdered by a police officer while he was being arrested. Thousands of people have felt sadness and anger after hearing this news, and it has been covered on all media platforms. Over sixty countries have supported the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in May 2020. People are appreciated for being open-minded and interested in learning about the various cultures surrounding the social environment they exist in (if they are interested), especially in Canada, we tend not to acknowledge Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis cultures as much. However, it has gotten better now. When I was in highschool, I wasn't educated in their idenities and cultures, and I wish they have taught me at least something.
In what ways do you envision society changing due to the pandemic?:
Personal health care would be more concerned for many people due to the pandemic, perhaps in the future, people will wash their hands and hand sanitizers will be more frequently used before touching their face or before eating. Masks would be a more common object to use when one feels unwell. In mid 2014, I used a mask to avoid spreading any illness to others in England, however, people were unfamiliar with this medical object to be used outside of a hospital, therefore people were looking at my strangely and questioned why. Hopefully after this pandemic, individuals will built a habit of using masks, carry hand sanitizers, and washing hands to prevent another virus outbreak.
Now that you are done with both the course and your additions to the archive, is there anything you'd like to reflect on?:
This course has provided me with some interesting facts about pandemics and how they have impacted the world, including how they have greatly affected the advancement of medications and medical technologies throughout history. In the past 18 months, even though it is strange seeing friends after being isolated for a long time, I have become more aware of how I interact and appreciate others around me. Covid experience has taught me that it is imperative to take any opportunities that come our way regardless of the situation. I feel that there were some opportunities I missed before the pandemic. We should appreciate what we have in the moment, and enjoy it with the people around you. I don't think it is necessary to hold any guilt, grief, anger or hatred, and sadness for a long time. Even though it is okay to have these emotions, it's unhealthy to have these negative feelings all the time. Hopefully, the next time there is a pandemic, people will remember COVID-19 and take similar measures as a precaution to not become infected, as well as be quarantined.