Technology is taking over so much of our lives during this whole Covid-19 pandemic. Some of it is great, some is not so great. We won’t get into political meddling and hacking here, which really is fake news anyway! Instead, let’s look at how technology is at least keeping us all from living in isolation and ignorance, like troglodytes in a cave.
First off, let’s look at teleconferencing and meetings and phone calls. Being retired at just the right time, I don’t have to deal with converting classroom materials into online resources for free, that is, being expected to write curriculum on my own time. Many teachers I know are doing this, and the truth is, the amount of time they put in would cost a district far more than they would want to pay – that is, in the K-12 arena. While I am a proponent of in-class and in-person teaching, this virus precludes it from being realistic. Sadly, not everyone and every place has good internet connections, and not everyone can afford a computer or tablet, much less parents who can help. It’s just not realistic. But in the private realm, the TV-like qualities let us see family and friends face-to-face and enjoy their company. It helps, but does not replace in-person contact.
Besides phone calls and virtual medicine, I am entering into the new age with signing up for a virtual classroom this fall to continue the pastels class which was interrupted by the lockdown across the state of California. I have no idea how well it will go. The instructor struggled with the overhead projector, so I hope she is getting good training for the class. I know I would need it as I really don’t like that kind of stuff, particularly if I am expected to learn it on my own without pay. This was a hallmark of my school – you should be happy to donate your money and time to our students! (Yes, I was actually told that, but as an hourly employee, I expect to get paid – salaried would be a different story!) Back to the classroom. Other people I know have done this, and the results vary from person, teacher, etc. I’ll give it a shot.
Next, if you cannot teleconference, or don’t want to, you can meet in person. Social distancing does work, and it also helps to relieve the sense of isolation that builds with not having valuable time with people you like face-to-face. 3D is very important when it comes to people, I think! I like being around people. So, I am taking a chance and meeting up later this morning for a portrait drawing class in a park, on picnic tables, wearing a mask, bringing my alcohol spray and wipes, and settling down 6 feet apart. The weather is fine this morning, a bit misty, but is should burn off by the time class begins. I don’t think the risk is greater than going to the market. How people behave will determine if I go again.
However, not all education cannot be held outdoors or online! Where I live, outdoors is more do-able, but in the heat of the Arizona desert or in the blizzards of Frostbite Falls, MN, not so easily done. As we move along in this new world, we will find new ways of doing things. It is challenging and creative, as well as annoying and dispiriting. Human contact is important, and some of us need more and some need less. As a retired person, my world is now severely limited and human contact is usually going to the market. It is creating a level of mild depression, and that is not something that is easily dealt with at times.
This is why I am taking the risk of an outdoor drawing class – an activity with others, others with a shared interest. Before the pandemic, I had rejoined my photo club and weavers guild, started pastels and pencil portrait classes, and so on. Then, a screeching halt. A few months of isolation is okay, but months and months begins to wear you down. We all need to decide how to adapt to our new times. We take classes, connect outdoors with those we love, exercise, whatever – but in the end, I really believe we all need face-to-face human contact. At least I have that opportunity and access to good technology (and an IT guy for a spouse to help), and a willingness to try new things. And a willingness to risk it with sensible precautions.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
I joined a group of artists who meet for plein-air sessions once a week and I recommend it. It feels great to be in their company for a few hours, even as we sit 6 ft. or more apart.
Good luck with your outdoor class -N. I’m fortunate to live in a senior community where dog walking is our “water cooler!” Yesterday a photo buddy and I met at the Capitol Mall to shoot the roses. We took separate vehicles, wore masks and kept a social distance. I guess I could have gone down there on my own, but it’s more fun to have a buddy to walk with. I think with the current situation, you just have to be careful and know the people you choose to be with. Take care and stay positive!
Thanks, Anne. I think this class will help provided there aren’t any idiots who demand to be mask-free and coughing in my face! I really don’t think that will happen. Where I live, we have great neighbors, but the truth is, close friends and family connections are not what they were pre-Covid, and that is what I miss a lot.
I agree with you there, Laura Kate. My artistic circle is spread across the country, so a bit difficult to meet. This is where such groups, and meetups, work nicely. I am really looking forward to this – and will report later.
I really miss my outings with Sophie, so good for you for doing the meet up class. Have fun!
I think you should be fine with the outdoor class. I assume that in addition to your sanitizers you are taking your own art supplies. If you’re outdoors and six feet from others, you’d be fine even without masks, but masks make people more comfortable about it and are the courteous thing to do. It should go without saying after what we’ve been through, and I hope it will be the case, that anyone with a fever or cough which is not minor allergies should not be there at all.
I hope in the future when this virus is gone that people who have a fever or cough will continue to stay home or wear masks if they must go out.
I am, as you know, not a fan of the lockdowns. CDC authorities among many others are now beginning to recommend that schools open in person again, with exceptions made for staff members in high-risk categories. Studies from across Europe, where schools were open, show practically no transmission of COVID-19 among K-12 age students or from students to staff. My daughter, a university professor, is teaching online for the fall semester because she’s got a couple of conditions which place her at moderate risk despite being under 40.
Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!
Oh, silly Jim! But, I loved (and still do) Rocky and Bullwinkle, especially Boris & Natasha!! And Fractured Fairy Tales. Yeah!
Kathy – I think as we learn more about the virus as well as how it works and its effects, things will get sorted out. Personally, I would rather err on the side of caution than just pretend it isn’t serious, so I was glad for the shutdowns. It has given us time to learn more about it. Sadly, there are those who don’t believe it is serious and behave in disrespectful manners to others (like coughing in the face of a woman’s baby). We are all in it together, and we need to remember that.
Kathy – the whole class went well and people were well behaved. I was too! We did sit far apart and Steve, the instructor, wore his mask as he walked around. Altogether, I am glad I went – I had Steve in the spring and liked him a lot – and look forward to the next sessions.
As far as wearing masks in the future, some people won’t wear them even if they are dying of a horrid disease. They are either ignorant, stupid, thoughtless, or any other number of categories. I had one patient who coughed all over the place, never covering his mouth. I asked him what his problem was before doing his chest x-ray. “Oh, I tested positive for TB.” Thanks, dude.
You get it, I’m sure!
Oh, I didn’t object to the initial lockdowns. We had the horrible example of Wuhan itself, and Lombardy, Italy, to consider. It’s their continuation now that we know a lot more about the virus, its transmission, and who gets the sickest, which concerns me. Stopping lockdowns wouldn’t mean stopping reasonable social distancing, especially for the most vulnerable. For some people, it is very, very serious. No question about that.
And if I spot somebody coughing into a baby’s face, now or at any time, I might have to be restrained from smashing said adult’s nose.
So how did the class go? I hope this was a good experience for you!
I see you posted about the class while I was typing. Sounds like a good environment, and I’m so glad you went and enjoyed it.