The Observer XVI.IV - Reflections on COVID-19: It's Not All Bad

XVI.IV

Reflections on COVID-19: It’s Not All Bad

Image created by Lélie Lesage

Letter from the Editor The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm in 2020. However, despite the negative circumstances we currently find ourselves embroiled in, challenging times have the potential to bring change for the better, as they allow for reflection on how we wish to envision our future. For the final issue of Volume 16, The Observer writers focus on the silver lining amidst the current crisis. How can we use this troubling period in our lives to enact change moving forward? What can we learn?

Environmental consciousness has grown considerably in recent years, but has been overshadowed in the past several months due to the global pandemic. In our section entitled “COVID-19 and the Environment,” Cassandra Van Drunen and Xiyuan Chen both take a look at the positive impact that COVID-19 has had on the environment, and ask whether we can employ what we have learnt to pave a healthier and cleaner future.

In our next section, “Kindness and Compassion During Trying Times: COVID-19 and Humanity,” our writers focus on how the best of humanity has been showcased during the pandemic.

Claire Parsons discusses various instances where humanitarian considerations have been placed above all others, and Noor Yassein, discusses the immense levels of support and appreciation shown for frontline and essential workers.

In our third section, “COVID-19: Innovation and New Technologies,” Bibi Imre-Millei looks at the benefits of having academic conferences shift to online platforms, and Angela Feng considers how cities can employ lessons learned during the pandemic to change how they operate moving forward.

In our last section, “Hong Kong and the Fight For Democracy,” Landon Pollock reminds us that although COVID-19 has dominated the media of late, we should not allow it to overshadow the fact that Hong Kong has shown outstanding courage and resilience in their fight for democracy against Communist China.

We hope you enjoy the issue!

Sincerely,

Jacob Ahearn

Editor-in-Chief Politics, Philosophy and Economics 2020

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Table of Contents Editorial Team Bibi Imre-Millei Assistant Editor - Masters in Political Studies Libby Graham Assistant Editor - 3rd Year History Major and Global Development Minor Angela Feng Assistant Editor - 4th Year Global Development and Environmental Studies Art Vijayaratnam Layout and Design Editor

Writers Claire Parsons 2nd Year Politics Noor Yassein 2nd Year Politics Major and English Minor Cassandra Van Drunen 2nd Year Life Sciences Xiyuan Chen 3rd Year Politics Major and History Minor Landon Pollock 2nd Year Politics Major and Sociology Minor

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COVID-19 and the Environment

5

COVID-19: Good For the Environment?

8

What Does COVID-19 Tell Us About Climate Change?

Cassandra Van Drunen

Xiyuan Chen

Kindness and Compassion During Trying Times: COVID-19 and Humanity

10

The Impossible Timeout

12

Separate But One: How Humanity is Coming Together During the COVID-19 Crisis

Claire Parsons

Noor Yassein

COVID-19: Innovation and New Technologies

14

Technology, Community, Hope: Academic Conferences in the Time of COVID-19

Bibi Imre-Millei

16

Greener, Brighter and Healthier Cities in the Post COVID-19 Era

Angela Feng

Special Feature: Democracy and Hong

18

Democracy Remains in Hong Kong

Landon Pollock page 4

COVID-19: Good for the Environment?

By: Cassandra Van Drunen

Since the middle of March, the world as a whole has been experiencing the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), and others such as China for much longer. By April 17th, there were over 2.2 million cases, causing more than 150,000 deaths. Although COVID-19 has had devastating effects on the human population, many positive environmental effects have taken place globally. Since many countries have put up strict travel bans, the impact of cars and planes on pollution has been significantly mitigated.

With millions of people under lockdown, positive global environmental effects have been seen. From clear water in the canals of Venice, to decreases in pollution in the world's major cities. New York City, one of America's largest cities, and one of COVID-19’s biggest hubs, has experienced a reduction in pollution by almost 50% in comparison to the 2019 statistics. On the other side of the planet, China’s emissions have been reduced by 25% since the beginning of 2020. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment in China has stated that the number of days with “good quality air” has increased by 11.4% in 337 cities throughout China, in comparison with the

data at the same time last year. In addition, reports in India’s New Delhi have shown that the average concentration levels of harmful microscopic particulate matter fell by over 71% in the span of a week. In Northern India, the Himalayas are no longer shadowed by air pollution for the first time in almost 30 years. The cartography image below by Steven Bernard from Descartes Labs shows the dramatic drop in nitrogen dioxide pollution in some of the world's major cities.

The earth itself is not the only thing thriving during the pandemic. Many wild animals have also benefited from the worldwide lockdowns.

With fewer humans roaming the streets, animals have been wandering outside of their normally constructed habitats. Wild boars have been walking the streets of Barcelona and Sika Deer from Japan’s Nara Park have been traveling to nearby cities. One of the animals benefiting the most from this pandemic appears to be Thailand’s sea turtles. Across the country, rare sea turtles have been coming to the now empty beaches at higher rates then seen in the past 20 years. Changes are even being seen in Canada.

Marie-Eve Muller, a spokeswoman for a Research page 5

and Education Center on a Marine Mammals Group in Quebec, has stated that the reduction of recreational boating in the St. Lawrence River could be beneficial to the whale population, due to both the pollution and noise factors that would usually bother the species. In addition, both her and James Page, a species at risk and biodiversity specialist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, have stated that with less human disturbance and traffic, this year’s breeding season for various Canadian animals could allow for some larger population growth, in addition to reduced risk of animal collision with vehicles.

As the title of the article stated, the question many people globally are wondering is whether or not this pandemic has been good for the environment. It seems clear that it has.

However, the steps that we take moving forward is what is truly important.

As Peter Betts, the UK’s former lead climate negotiator stated, “there may be some positive behavioural impact.

But the real question is what happens in the recovery phase. Do we just go back to business as usual?”

One such country appears to already be going back to ‘business as usual.’ In a province known as Hubei in China, businesses are beginning to reopen. In a region where nitrogen dioxide levels fell by 40% while under lockdown, China appears to be starting up the economy again using coal-fired power at an even worse rate than before. According to a report from a Non-Governmental Organization(NGO) Global Energy Monitor, the country has approved more plans for coal powered pollution in the past month than they had for all of 2019.

Different specialists have varying opinions as to what life after the pandemic will bring in terms of environmental pollution. With the large hit that has been taken by the global economy, Reed Blakemore, deputy director at the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center has stated that the renewable resources sector is likely to be negatively impacted once the stay at home orders have been lifted. He states that “low oil and gas prices will place pressure on the economics of renewable energy sources and, without policy

support, some renewables that have seen rapid deployment will have to wait for credit markets to recover, ceding ground to cheap hydrocarbons and fossil fuels.”

In addition, climate change itself has taken a back seat in light of the world’s more immediate threat. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commision, has planned for Europe to be carbon neutral by 2050 with her new climate law. However, the passing of this law has been put off due to the pandemic, in addition to other climate change policies and events.

This is another example of how environmental rehabilitation has taken one step forward and two steps back.

Overall, the pandemic has had some great environmental benefits due to the mitigation of global pollution. However, there have also been and potentially will continue to be some drawbacks. Though social distancing for life is not the solution to solving the world’s climate change issues, much can be learned about what happens when less emissions are being released across the earth. Global business leaders may see that some jobs can be accomplished from home, allowing for a continued decrease in emissions, and necessitating less office space. If anything, this experience with coronavirus can show that healing the planet is more tangible when everyone works together towards a common goal, as has been demonstrated with this pandemic. I think Maggie Comstock of the Conservation International stated it best. She states that “with only a decade left to prevent the most severe impacts of climate change, 2020 still needs to be a year of action.” The world's leaders can use this pandemic as a time to see how precious our earth is. They can see that the globe is healing, even in a small way, and that this is a silver lining in an otherwise dark time. Hopefully, these dreadful times will spark different countries worldwide to pass those climate change bills and plans to rehabilitate the planet. It is up to the leaders of today to reflect, and look for a new way forward. As Rachel Kyte, current Dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and the former UN top clean energy official stated, “we are now going to go into deep recession, possible depression, and we have to find a way for the digging out from that to be greener and more equitable.” page 6

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The Global Pandemic of 2020: What Does COVID-19 Tell Us About Climate Change?

By: Xiyuan Chen

It was March, 2020, in Italy. The city of Venice was empty. The police were patrolling the streets, when they were surprised by the visible fish in canals that were usually murky. In April, in England, deer lie cozily on lawns in east London as streets are deserted. Meanwhile, in India, people can see the Himalayas for the first time in decades due to reduction in air pollution.

These changes took place as countries around the world began to lockdown due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Originating in Wuhan, China, the sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus continues to take lives around the world. It was officially named “COVID-19” by the World Health Organization, and is said to be transmitted from bats to humans. When sick with the virus, people experience cough, fever, difficulty breathing, pneumonia in both lungs and, in severe cases, death. Thus, countries around the world have introduced extreme measures to stop the spread of the virus, especially considering the infectious nature of COVID-19. As much as it is a disaster to the human world, nature seems to be benefiting from this crisis. In this article, I look at the “silver-lining” of the pandemic: what can we learn about climate change from the outbreak of COVID-19?

Zoonotic diseases are not unknown to human beings. From the 14th century plague that killed half of the population in Europe, to the Spanish Flu in 1918, to AIDS, Sars, Ebola, Zika, Mers, to COVID-19, which is still taking lives globally. However, the occurrence of these pathogenic diseases are more frequent than

fevers. Scientists suggest that one of the main reasons behind this is human activities. As global populations keep growing, people need larger spaces to live. Human activities have reshaped almost 75% of the earth's surface, cramming wildlife and nature into an “ever-smaller corner” of the planet, according to the UN Environment Chief.

Thus, contact between humans and reservoir hosts increase, mostly because of rapid urbanization and growing animal markets.

There were 100 million hectares of agricultural expansion in the tropics between 1980 and 2000. Major landscape changes are causing animals to lose habitats, which leads to species becoming crowded together and coming into greater contact with humans. Similarly, the origin of COVID-19 is also traced back to a “wet market” in Wuhan, where someone potentially had a bat that carried the virus. Rapid urbanization had led to more human activities, which would result in an increase in greenhouse gas-induced warming, desertification, deforestation and loss in biodiversity. With less green and more skyscrapers, wildlife is forced into living with humans. Therefore, climate change and global warming caused by human activities are most likely to be accountable for incidents of recent outbreaks of zoonotic diseases.

As countries shut down industrial activities and airline flights, people stop using both public and private transportation and air pollution plummets in cities. In China, for instance, the drop in airborne pollutants over two months may have saved the lives of 4,000 children below 5 and 73,000 adults above 70. Compared with 2019, CO2 emissions went down while China’s industrial output decreased by 13.5 percent in January and February 2020. This is the weakest reading since January 1990. The shocking image published by NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) pollution monitoring satellites have also indicated significant decreases in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over China. Since nitrogen dioxide is a noxious gas emitted by motor vehicles, power plants and industrial facilities, NASA and ES believe that the reduction in NO2 pollution is closely related to the lockdowns in the country.

This reduction first appeared in Wuhan, but spread across the country as millions of people page 8

have been quarantined. Later in Europe, when the virus was spreading across the globe, satellite images show NO2 emissions decreased over northern Italy as well as in Spain and the UK.

Although the outbreak of COVID-19 was a tragedy, it shows us what a greener planet might look like. Reflecting on how and why it happened, people might see the crisis as both an admonition to our current status and an illustration of what a cleaner future could look like. This is the perfect time for us to do something about the environment, and to acknowledge that climate change is threatening the well-being of wildlife and human beings on earth.

There is evidence that the world is taking climate change more seriously because of the novel coronavirus. While the biggest conference in 10 years on biodiversity has been postponed due to COVID-19, this did not prevent the UN biodiversity chief from calling for a ban on wildlife markets. Unable to perform mass demonstrations, young people are mobilizing online under the hashtags “#ClimateStrikeOnline” and “#Digital Strike,” posting pictures of climate strikes while staying at home.

That being said, some worry that this change is only temporary. Inger Andersen, head of the UN environment program, calls for a “profound, systemic shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both the people and the planet.” He mentioned, during an interview, that a call for an increase in the production of medical supplies during the pandemic could also lead to a surge in hazardous waste produced, including the mass production of facemasks, plastic bags and one-time disposable gloves. To sustain the positive impacts, fossil fuel use would have to decline about 10% around the world, and would need to be maintained for a year to illustrate clear changes in carbon levels. Overall, since “a healthy planet means fewer diseases,” we need to understand our role in the frequent occurrence of zoonotic diseases and what we can do about climate change and global warming.

Overall, it was unfortunate that COVID-19 took place. In any event, this pandemic has started with human hubris and condescension

to nature, and it will end with our humility and respect for mother Earth. We are fighting against the virus with our best effort, but on many levels, we are also fighting our inner selves for the development of the human race. After all, if we learn and grow from such tragedy, it is not all bad.

Apart from the positive environmental changes that COVID-19 has brought us, we also need to think about this virus as a wake up call, a warning sign that tells us not to disregard climate change.

Hopefully, this tragedy will conclude soon with enlightening ideas about sustainability, which is the key to preventing more environmental and humanitarian crises in the future.

Photo by Todd Petrie page 9

The Impossible Timeout

By: Claire Parsons I haven’t left my house in over a month, you probably haven’t either. Life during the COVID-19 crisis can, for those of us who aren’t essential workers, feel like the world has frozen. I am a Toronto resident and therefore I am used to the bustling lifestyle and constant traffic. However, recently the streets around me have never been safer to drive. The storefronts are papered up, some even boarded to protect the contents inside. Those still with glass are bare and always dark. Flour, eggs, and yeast have been added to the list of essential groceries that have suddenly found value equal to gold. The people out for walks in the street are skittish and stand six feet apart in line for their prescription, to pick up dinner, or get a loaf of bread. It can, at times, feel like the end of the world.

I have never lived through an apocalypticfeeling time before but there is something strange about a cataclysmic crisis. There is solidarity in standing six feet apart from someone, a certain knowing in the eyes of a neighbour about the difficulties of the modern day. That is the

fascination I have with dark times, there is a strong current of humanity among all of the awful. I call it the Impossible Timeout. There is something about global chaos that solves everyday issues that seem to be unsolvable at any other time.

For example, some of the most difficult and tense relationships between countries have been set aside in order to address the communal issues of COVID-19. Russia has sent its largest cargo plane to the US packed full of medical supplies in order to accomodate for the shortages the US is experiencing. The Russian Embassy even released a statement saying that “there is no alternative to working together.”

In a similarly uncharacteristic move from the deeply protectionist state, China has also taken a deeply humanitarian approach to the crisis.

Just a few weeks ago, a Chinese technological company sent tens of thousands of ventilators to Italy. Across each box was written the Roman writer, Seneca’s, phrase: “we are waves from the same sea, leaves from the same tree, and flowers from the same garden.” During this time of difficulty, countries that are deeply antagonized internationally have stepped into the light as page 10

contributors to a collective recovery. It is clear that in such difficult times, there is an existing international solidarity.

When President Trump threatened mass N95 mask distributor, 3M, the company disregarded the threat and stated that it was on humanitarian grounds that they had to distribute globally, including to Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau stated that there would be no international repercussions for the threat, but rather emphasized the absolute necessity for collaboration globally. In fact, in the past few months, more ‘unsolvable’ issues have been tackled than within the past decade. In Winnipeg, $1.2 million has been allotted to expand shelters to allow the homeless to have a place to shelter during the pandemic. They have delegated certain hotels in the city to be a safeplace for those who have tested positive for the virus to get the help they need and social distance safely and comfortably.

Both California and Nevada have adopted similar strategies, with California opening their vacant hotels’ doors and Nevada opening large tent-like shelters for the homeless to go once tested positive. Granted, this was not without controversy, as Nevada’s original plan was to lay out painted ‘self isolation’ squares for the homeless to sleep in. While already horrifying in nature, the image is backed by empty Las Vegas hotels. The story went viral. Thousands of people from around the world immediately put pressure on government officials by stating that the strategy was a “black eye on the city.” I would go as far as to say that behaviour such as this is exceptional, as quite often the homeless are a population forgotten and abandoned, and therefore to finally see such a mobilization for one of the world’s most vulnerable populations is an exemplary manifestation of the humanity that people draw upon in times of extreme crisis.

In these incredible and impossible times we are, without question, doing the impossible. Decade long feuds have been set aside in favour of the world’s betterment and medical supplies are being spread around the world by demand rather than by capital wager.

The traditional and pride filled strategies of politics have been castaway as government officials become laser focused on what can do the most good, a viewpoint they were elected to have in the first place. Not to mention that the vast societal issues that seem to be the most behemoth challenges in times of ease are being tackled as if they are just another task on a docket. People are caring about each other.

During the times where you feel exceptionally alone and clouded by the horrors of what a pandemic does, look at what it brings out of people. Oftentimes, the best of them. There is an unspoken understanding among society as a whole that with collaboration and determination we will make it out of this. When we do, we must ask ourselves difficult questions about whether falling back to apathy and satisfaction is enough. In our darkest hours, we have done more for our countries and our world than the ‘normal’ standard. Boldly, I would claim that such dark hours offer us an enlightenment, an ability to change, a firm sense of community. That’s the part of this crisis that shouldn’t end. As you walk down the sidewalk on one side and I walk down the other side, there is someone walking down the centre of the street and the three of us, without question, are healing together.

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Separate But One – How Humanity is Coming Together During the COVID-19 Crisis By: Noor Yassein Photo by Lorie Shaull

As panic and uncertainty rise in this unprecedented time, so too does the positivity and strengthened spirit of humanity. Even in the wake of COVID-19, through events like the worldwide thanking of frontline workers, we have shown that we can pull together in this time of need. It has given us all a glimmer of hope that we can, and will, get through this.

The appreciation of frontline workers has developed into a worldwide trend. The idea is to show our appreciation for those who are putting their lives at risk every day in order to ensure our safety; those working to get everything back to normal as soon as they can. In early March, Italians engaged in nationwide applause for their frontline workers. Social media users coordinated with one another to make this possible. Italy was one of the countries worst hit in terms of death and infection rate at the time. But there was positivity directed at those at arguably the highest risk, showing them how much they are appreciated. According to the New York Times, this demonstrates how the people of Italy are able to stand together in a spirited, resilient fashion, even in the face of the worst national emergency since World War 2. Even with a

nationwide lockdown, people still found a way to come together and make sure that their fellow Italians knew they were not alone.

Italy is not the only place where the goodness of humanity is shining through. The nationwide applause became a trend throughout the United Kingdom as well, with people emerging from their houses to clap in support, bang pots and pans, and just make noise to show their appreciation (however it should be noted that some countries, such as Spain or Brazil, in which citizens are outside banging pots and pans, it is in protest rather than in solidarity). In Iran, there were videos of doctors fully geared up and dancing in the emergency room, to keep the spirits high.

Throughout Canada, people have written messages in chalk along the sidewalk, thanking the workers and spreading positivity. People have made signs, thank you videos, and posted pictures of their loved ones working on the front lines. page 12

Local businesses have gotten involved as well. Crave is a donut shop in Whitby, Ontario.

Shortly after the crisis hit, they decided to take their donuts to those working on the frontline to show their appreciation. They posted pictures on social media of various workers enjoying their donuts, including firefighters, grocery store workers, nurses, doctors, and hospital workers.

In London, Ontario, the companies Carmina de Young and MLD Solutions Inc. have come together to produce gowns and masks to help the shortage of supplies for healthcare workers.

This has allowed them to hire back those they had to lay off as a result of the pandemic, as well as support those working on the frontlines.

As awful as it is, this pandemic has brought communities together, and helped bring meaning to those in isolation by giving them opportunities to show support.

In an article in Psychology Today, the author urges readers to do their part, focus on what they can control, and remember that people are working hard to make this better. We need to wait this out, but we can also use this time to come together with neighbours and friends through technology and social media, and support those putting their lives at risk so we can stay safe. It’s easy to focus on the negative. That is what we are shown, everyday. We are bombarded with more deaths, more people congregating in the parks, more government officials informing us that this lockdown could last for months. However, the good is still out there, and thanking the frontline workers is just one example of how people have been pulling together. The sheer volume of participation demonstrates the good of humanity still present in our world. We can get through this, and we will get through this. As long as we focus on the positive and continue to stay home, we will one day be able to tell our children and grandchildren that we did everything we could, and that the goodness of humanity prevailed.

Photo by United Nations page 13

Technology, Community, Hope: Academic Conferences in the Time of COVID-19 By: Bibi Imre-Millei

Photo by Alexandra Koch

In February and March, as COVID-19 began to affect countries outside of China, academic conferences worldwide began contemplating the idea of cancelling or moving online. By the middle of March, this quickly became a reality.

Most conferences were either forced to cancel, or if they had the resources, forced to make the transition to online platforms as governments in Canada and around the world enforced emergency measures.

Academic communities have responded with both praise and criticism for online conferencing. Access can always be improved, and online conferences do pose challenges for people with internet connectivity problems, complex caring and family responsibilities, and those who don’t interact with the online world in the same way that others do. However, online conferences on a large scale offer us a glimpse of what a more inclusive academic format might look like as we adapt to the needs of Global South scholars, people who find it difficult to travel, and people with different or dis/abilities who may have had trouble interacting with in person conference arrangements, and might

have insights into how to make the online world more inclusive.

Some conferences have engaged in multimedia endeavours, such as the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) annual conference, which used Zoom, Vimeo, and Twitter to hold a film festival, and hundreds of panels.

Others, like the Toronto branch of Women In International Security (WIIS) Canada, have stuck to one platform methods. WIIS-Toronto hosted a one day Twitter conference with panelists, discussants, and question periods. Some conferences have or are planning to use their own websites as hosting platforms, where they will share video presentations and interactive materials.

Different types of adaptation measures bring different results, and different levels of access. For example, conferences which use only one platform and make it difficult for people who don’t have access to that platform to participate.

Some reasons could include privacy concerns, lack of access from certain countries, or financial barriers. There are additional barriers if there is no way to adapt to lack of internet access within the confines of the conference guidelines and proceedings. While roughly 92% of Canadians have regular internet access, this is not even across the country, as rural areas often experience low quality internet (63% experience lower speeds than what is considered standard). Limited access and investment affects not only the rural population in general, but also disproportionately affects the Indigenous population, with only 24% of Indigenous households having access to standard internet in 2017. 39% of Canadian 18-34 year olds experienced harassment on the internet, creating more barriers for those who might feel unsafe online.

But while online conferences continue to have both unique problems, as well as ones shared with in-person conferences, there are page 14

significant benefits to hosting online. For example, scholars from the Global South are often underrepresented at major academic conferences, which tend to be located in Western countries.

Countries such as Canada, the US, and the UK are expensive to get to by plane, and certain nationalities are sometimes banned. In 2018 and 2019, Canada denied the Visas of several African scholars trying to attend the Neural Information Processing Systems conference.

Graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, adjuncts, and other early career researchers also have barriers to attending physical conferences, as funding is usually less available for these groups, and they get paid less than their tenured or tenure track counterparts. Caring responsibilities are easier to navigate around online conferences, which tend to have more flexible formats, with no travel required. Online conferences allow people to engage at their own pace, and only attend what they can, especially when adaptability is incorporated in a concerted way by conference planners. The participation of women might also increase when there is more focus on flexibility, as women still perform most caring duties in many countries worldwide.

broadens avenues for collaboration with other disciplines, as people may be forced to interact with those outside their disciplinary bubbles.

One interesting benefit is that this situation forces people to use certain professional chat technologies such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, which are useful in facilitating connections even at in-person conferences. This might mean that more people will learn to integrate and use these technologies who might have otherwise been resistant (but it does detriment those who may have a higher learning curve on this kind of technology, or have a variety of access issues).

The increased use of online platforms might also urge companies themselves to be more inclusive, update their accessibility features, and tighten security. A phenomena known as “zoombombing,� where trolls access links to public events like conferences and spread hateful rhetoric or explicit images has become more common during the pandemic. This happened at CIES, where tens of trolls entered chat rooms, showing degrading pornography and yelling racist slurs. There have also been concerns about the difficulty that Deaf or vision-impaired folks have with accessing online presentations, which do not offer transcription or description services.

Scholars with different abilities or dis/ Hopefully, there will be more dialog between abilities who are unable to travel, or companies and organisers to address some of find it difficult to participate for other these issues while working with organisations accessibility reasons such as Deafness, who provide accessibility services (therefore mobility issues, or social anxiety also providing more jobs during the current economic have a hard time participating in downturn). in-person conferences. While these

Online conferences offer hope and barriers are hard to fully overcome, positivity in this pandemic, allowing continued Deaf and blind individuals often professional development and social interaction. have extensive practice using the Even as the world shifts back offline, we should internet, and their knowledge could continue to take into account the access be employed to help organisers create considerations online conferences bring to more inclusive conference spaces light. As global south scholars, young scholars, online. and scholars with different or dis/abilities are

Online conferences could lift some highlighting their experiences, it may be hard of the barriers to participation, and offer to go back to how we used to conference as interesting and unique ways to include various academics. As we try to adapt to a new world underrepresented groups. They also allow for the shaped by COVID-19, we have the opportunity easier introduction of mixed methods practices, to grow different and deeper connections, such as documentary and art showings, as the to promote a deeper focus on equity, and to logistics for both time to view these pieces and engage in unique community building measures their transportation are less burdensome. It also within academia. page 15

Greener, Brighter and Healthier Cities in the Post COVID-19 Era By: Angela Feng

From Wuhan, a city of 11 million, to New York, America’s most densely populated city, urban centers across the globe have become epicenters of COVID-19. As bustling cities hush, the difficulty of physical distancing within these dense agglomerations become more pronounced. The spread of COVID-19 brings new dimensions to questions surrounding every aspect of city life, particularly our relationship with city spaces, health and the environment.

How can we effectively reduce the spread of disease in shared spaces across cities? How can we reduce infection risk on public transportation?

How can we provide spaces of work and leisure within homes?

These questions are at the root of some of the unprecedented challenges cities face while addressing COVID-19. They will also bring unprecedented change to city design in the post COVID-19 era as the amplified health impact of this virus within cities will positively reorientate our approach to planning cities.

The most prominent issue raised by the need for physical distancing is the issue of space - there simply isn’t enough space in cities. Brent Toderian, Vancouver’s previous chief planner, highlights how this pandemic has revealed the disadvantage of cities dominated by spaces for cars and leave little room for people. City sidewalks are often not wide enough to provide the 2 meters of distance required between pedestrians. Luckily, COVID-19 has reduced car traffic and cities are converting spaces for cars into spaces for people. Oakland has closed 74 miles of roads to allow pedestrians and cyclists to access outdoor time while physical distancing. Bogota, Columbia has added 117 kilometers of temporary spaces for cycling and

walking by closing car lanes. Toderian hopes that these creative ways cities are helping residents physically distance will create a new culture and skill set for cities in the future that prioritize space for people. Hopefully, post COVID-19 cities will include less car reliant transportation, which makes way for wider pedestrian walkways, bike lanes and therapeutic gardens in lieu of parking lots.

In addition to external city spaces, the lockdown has also raised new alternatives for designing our interior living spaces to prioritize physical and mental health. With COVID-19, city dwellers and planners have realised the need and possibility to build more breathable cities.

Toderian calls this “density done well,” while others refer to it as the “Healthy Building Movement.” A key component of this shift is to incorporate more opportunities to access nature through shared courtyards, communal gardens, rooftop terraces, greater natural lighting and usable balconies. Another is to implement the advanced ventilation technologies that have emerged due to the nature of COVID-19 spread as a standard healthy building tool. Examples include placement ventilation, in which cooler air lifts contaminants from below, clean air ventilation, which brings in fresh air rather than recirculating existing air and negative air pressure, which keeps pathogens from spreading to other parts of the building. Furthermore, Toderian predicts COVID-19 will usher in a new age of widespread remote working, which would make spaces for productivity, exercise, and even meditation within homes a standard. Regardless of the method, interior design will need to adapt to the redefined expectations people may have for their living spaces after spending months in quarantine.

This pandemic has also led us to re-evaluate the self-sufficiency and resiliency of our cities by putting a spotlight on the interconnectedness of our global supply chains, particularly food.

Although lockdown has not yet resulted in food scarcity in the Global North, COVID-19 has exposed the fragility of our systems and poses a very real threat to erode it. Science journalist, page 16

Sonia Shah, is one of many urging for localization and self-sufficiency to become pillars of city planning. Urban farming is a shift to localized, efficient production many cities are already pursuing.

Sky Greens vertical farm in Singapore towers up to 9 meters tall, covers 3.65 hectares and grows a range of vegetables with minimal water, electricity and land. Furthermore, concepts such as the “20 minute neighbourhood� extends beyond merely food to aiming to provide citizens access to everything they might need, from everyday essentials to healthcare, within a 20 minute walk or bike ride of their homes. Melbourne, Australia has already incorporated the 20-minute neighbourhood in their 2017 - 2050 city plan, which aims to design smaller cities that are accessible for all ages, promote transit, cycling, walking and provide opportunities for recreational and healthy living locally.

If successful, this will reduce Melbourne's daily greenhouse gas emissions by over 370,000 tonnes.

There is no magic bullet solution to urban planning. Each city must plan according to their social, economic and geographic context. However, I believe that COVID - 19 urges us to reconsider where our priorities lay and rethink how we want our cities to serve them.

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Democracy Remains in Hong Kong: It’s Not All that Bad By: Landon Pollock

The 2019 Hong Kong protests have likely been one of the greatest displays of civil disobedience in modern history. Throughout the 6 months that the protests persisted (quickly quelled by the COVID-19 outbreak in late 2019) up to 2 million Hongkongers took to the streets, maintaining their civil rights in the face of an encroaching China. I suggest that this story is maybe the best to come out of 2019 and will be remembered for decades to come - hopefully not forgotten about because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

What is the Relationship Between Mainland China and Hong Kong?

Hong Kong and China maintain a tense relationship, which is described as one country, two systems. Hong Kong is legally a part of China, situated on its southern coast. It was colonized

by Britain in the 1840s during the Opium Wars and regained independence in 1997. Due to its colonial history, Hong Kong enjoys far more civil liberties than those in mainland China. The British cession of Hong Kong to China stipulated that Hongkongers would maintain their own way of life until the year 2047, entirely sovereign from Beijing.

Hong Kong’s Basic Law (the closest they have to a constitution) states that Hong Kong shall self administer. However, the Basic Law also gives mainland China the ability to appoint the chief executive of Hong Kong. Chief executives are appointed by a 1200 strong election committee, many of whom are Beijing loyalists. Effectively, the Chief Executive the committee wants is the Chief Executive Beijing wants.

Many HongKongers are not okay with this and want a universal suffrage system, where one citizen has one vote. In 2017, Hong Kong almost achieved this, however Beijing stipulated that candidates must be chosen from a nominating committee. China would have chosen who was on this committee. Ultimately, the Hong Kong legislature rejected the voting system and the 1200 person election committee remains.

Why Exactly did the Protests Start in 2019?

Supposedly, the bill was prompted by a 2018 case where a Hong Kong man killed his wife in Taiwan. The man fled to Hong Kong, which lacked a formal extradition bill with Taiwan. As such, the man could not be sent back to face trial.

The Hong Kong political class (many of whom are Beijing loyalists) used this as an opportunity to introduce amendments that would allow extradition to countries that they do not have formal extradition agreements with- notably China. However, some have called the 2018 murder a “phony excuse.” Jerome A. Cohen, an expert on Asian Relations at the Council of Foreign Affairs said that “everybody knew - who paid attention to it - that this was a long overdue effort to extradite people from Hong Kong to China.”

These amendments would give sweeping powers to China, a country that has been known to imprison dissenters who speak out against the Communist Party of China (CCP) regime. Hong Kong has enjoyed freedom of speech for many years and under the new amendment, those who speak out against Beijing would be subject to extradition to the mainland. The amendments were proposed in March and expected to go through the legislature in June. On June 9th, 1 million Hong Kongers took to the streets to protest. A few days later, the bill was “indefinitely suspended.”

Protesting and rioting persisted throughout the summer, with police forces using tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets on dissenting crowds. On August 18th, the protest had its biggest showing: 2 million in the streets.

On September 4th, the bill was formally retracted. However, the protesters were not yet satisfied. The protests have now morphed more generally into a fight against state intervention

by Beijing and full democracy for Hong Kong.

Many at this point began to realize that the only way Hong Kong is to ever have absolute freedom from China, is to have universal suffrage in their voting system. page 18

Global Implications

Global response to the protests have been mixed. China itself has built up its military presence around Hong Kong, as well as inside: in July there were 12000 members of the People’s Liberation Army throughout the city.

Trump, in the midst of a trade war with China, stated that it was a “tough situation” and that he stood with both Hong Kong and Jinping. Commentators have speculated that his evasiveness on taking a side is due to his wanting to complete the trade deal before the next election cycle.

The UK has also been tight lipped on the protests, despite them having a historical claim in the issue. In the midst of Brexit, they likely do not want to alienate China by overtly supporting Hong Kong: it is likely China will end up being one of their key trading partners once out of the EU. It’s Not All Bad

Hong Kong standing up to the world’s greatest dictator is maybe one of the best things to happen in 2019. 7 million people averted the state intervention of a 1.4 billion strong behemoth. On paper, that would sound impossible. However, the fight for freedom and democracy has been achieved at similar odds

before: think of the American Revolution. A comparatively small, ragtag army of patriots using sloppy, guerilla warfare tactics to defeat Britain, vastly more powerful than the 13 colonies. Who knows? Maybe in hundreds of years, the 2019 protests will be taught in history books the same way the American Revolution is. Hopefully its legacy will not be washed away because of the COVID 19 outbreak.

The Hong Kong protests should cement for people that when people are fighting for freedom and liberty, great things can happen out of seemingly horrible odds. This upholding of democracy is the most explicit the world has seen in many years and should exemplify that the fight for democracy will never be over. The 2019 Hong Kong protests is important for democracy because it is a wake up call that power hungry autocrats exist in the 21st century, as they did in 1939 and many centuries previous. Let this wake up call not be lost on us, nor the importance of combating oppressive regimes that seek to stamp out democracy.

Photo by Studio Incendo page 19

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