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Coronavirus crisis is moving global life online

By THE REDIFF NEWS BUREAU
March 24, 2020 08:07 IST
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Millions of people worldwide are having to embrace life under lockdown -- confined to their own four walls or neighbourhoods for weeks on end as countries battle to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Sha Jie, 10, a primary school student, attends an online Chinese class as he sits at home during the novel coronavirus disease outbreak, in Shanghai, China. "I go out once a day at most, just hanging around our neighbourhood. My parents told me to wear masks if going outside and to wash hands carefully after coming back home," said Jie. Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters
 

Teaching, working and socialising have moved online as never before. Lavinia Tomassini, 14, uses her iPad to take part in an online French class, as part of a home-schooling programme put in place by her school, following the Italian authorities decision to close schools and universities as well as urging people to work from home as a protective measure to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease in Milan, Italy. "I hope all this will come to an end... I am really struggling to study from home as I have so many distractions here at home. Also I really want to be able to go out again without being worried of catching a disease," said Tomassini. Photograph: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

In the United States, as in other countries struck by the virus, Dr William Jason Sulaka has learned how to conduct consultations online as he can no longer meet his patients face to face. But the 40-year-old, based in West Bloomfield, Michigan, has been staying at home with his wife and children as much as possible. The closure of workplaces has given people time with their families they never had before. "I would rather see a patient in the office... I prefer real visits to virtual visits," Sulaka said. "I just miss the freedom of going out in general and not having to worry about the person next to me." Photograph: Emily Elconin/Reuters

Dino Lin, Stella Zhang and Wowo Lin, 5, exercise using filled water bottles as weights as they watch a fitness class online at their house in Shanghai, China. "We have been staying at home mostly. We are not forced to do so but believe this is the best way to keep our family away from infection... I occasionally go downstairs for daily supplies and food. My wife and daughter don't get out of the front door at all," said Dino Lin. Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters

Musicians from the Chinese group "The 2econd" Zhang Cheng, Zhuang Fei and Wen Zheng, perform for their fans during a live-streaming session broadcast on the video sharing website Bilibili at an office in Beijing, China. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters

Alessia Mauri, 34, who is a dance teacher, records a lesson to send to her students, while gyms are closed as a protective measure during COVID-19 outbreak, in Milan, Italy. "I thought it would be interesting to give them some specific dance lessons. Not like the ones I am seeing being live streamed publicly on Instagram. I think it's much more constructive for my girls to have a video of a teacher who gives them a dedicated lesson they can have at home and help them keep on training," said Mauri. Photograph: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

Ana Pereira, 51, uses her computer to go online and join a virtual picnic with her friends at her home in Caracas, Venuzuela amid the outbreak. "I realised that I had a half packet of lentils and a half packet of rice in my fridge and some garlic, so I went to the market and bought enough food for about two or three weeks," Pereira said. When asked what she missed most while self isolating she said, "I want a hug, because you can talk to people but the physical contact is what I miss most." Photograph: Manaure Quintero/Reuters

Kim Myung-hae, 46, a pre-school teacher, practices a dance by the South Korean boyband BTS as she watches a YouTube video at her home in Gumi, Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Kim has been self-isolating since the end of February. "Since I can't go outside, I do a lot of online shopping. I surf the internet a lot too... I tend to watch a lot of YouTube," Kim said. "I miss everyday life. It all feels more special now. Before the coronavirus came, I went out everyday and would meet people all the time. I actually enjoyed going to crowded places, but ever since the coronavirus, I have to be careful about even just having a cup of tea with someone." Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters

Jo Proudlove, 48, works online from a garden office in her home, whilst self-isolating with her daughter Eve in London, Britain. Following British government guidelines, the family believed and were also asked by Eve's school that Eve should self-isolate for 14 days when the nine-year-old began to feel unwell and had a brief fever. "I did have quite a lot of food in the house but we've had friends that have kindly got us a few supplies from a local shop," Proudlove said. "The first thing I'm going to look forward to when this is all over, will be just mingling again with everybody and I intend to have a very big party." Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Rich Alldritt, vicar of St Thomas Church, Oakwood in Britain conducts an online service via Youtube after all churches were closed as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues. Photograph: John Sibley/Reuters

Piers Schulten, 12, takes part in an online french horn music lesson with his teacher at home in Chalfont St Giles, after schools are closed in Britain. Photograph: Paul Childs/Reuters

Yoga instructor Chris Igreja, 29, gives an online yoga class from home, as a protective measure to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease outbreak, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photograph: Pilar Olivares/Reuters
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