Lecture hall of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi in the first days back to school
The weather in Hanoi since Tet has been humid and cold, my chronic sinusitis has made me cough, have difficulty breathing and have to see a doctor every day. The doctor said my illness is not contagious, but I should avoid crowded meetings because my cough makes others worry.
Remember the "youth" of university
Except for mandatory meetings at school, I worked from home. Proofreading students’ papers, doing research, preparing lectures… were tasks that could be done well without going to school. I missed my students and longed to be in the cheerful, lively atmosphere of the university, always full of youthfulness, that I was used to. But now, thinking about the dynamism of the students, I don’t know why I felt a little apprehensive and my imagination had the opportunity to activate scary scenarios.
Under the credit system, each student has their own timetable, which means they do not study all the subjects together during the day. A student can study 3-4 subjects in a day, in the same class with completely different students. Each class can have up to 100, even 120 other students. Their mobility and contact coefficient is therefore very high. If unfortunately one student is infected with COVID-19, the risk of spreading this terrible disease will be very wide and fast.
My eldest son is preparing for his final high school exam, the most important exam of his school life. My youngest son is only 9 years old. We live in an apartment building. What if I get infected or come into contact with someone who is sick and have to be quarantined? What will happen to my family, to the people living in my apartment building... A series of questions I cannot answer myself and cannot find official guidance anywhere.
Each person is conscious, the community will be safe
More than a month off after Tet because of the COVID-19 epidemic in anxiety, worry, daily life and work schedule turned upside down, my body wanted to change state because of the feeling of stagnation while my mind was still wondering like that, it was really tiring.
I think if I just sit here and worry, it won't solve anything, while the school's assigned tasks still need to be carried out. So I need to call on students to raise their personal awareness of epidemic prevention. If everyone is aware, there will be a safe classroom, a safe school, and a safe community.
So I posted a message on my Facebook page to the students about what to expect when they return to school next week. I informed them of my own health status and suggested ways to protect themselves. I did not forget to remind them to let me know if they had any symptoms of illness, and I would support them in finding a solution while trying to ensure their highest learning rights in my department.
I didn’t expect so many students to respond positively to my words. I felt warm and more confident. Having students share my worries and responsibilities to others gave us all hope that we would be safe and get through this stormy semester.
Life goes on
The first days of school, both teachers and students came to school with an indescribable feeling of excitement. The school had prepared enough hand sanitizer, posted notices with instructions on epidemic prevention in each classroom and bulletin board; sprayed disinfectant in all classrooms, campus, hallways, toilets...
Students are advised to avoid close contact, temporarily stop shaking hands, and are required to wear masks at all times in the classroom. Microphones are sterilized and wrapped in cloth bags, and replaced after each use...
Many lecture halls only had about 70% of students attending class because many students were waiting and waiting to hear from their classmates who had already come to school, and some reported being sick. I asked a few students about their feelings when they returned to school, and they all seemed not too worried but no longer as carefree and happy as before. Not all students wore masks throughout the class because they felt stuffy and stuffy.
I stood in the hallway of the classroom looking down at the deserted schoolyard. Here and there, a few students wearing masks huddled together chatting after a long period of separation. In the self-study room, only a few people wearing masks quietly read books.
I hope that the schoolyard will soon be bustling again, bustling with excited faces, lively and energetic dance groups and especially the bright smiles like before. Yes, the schoolyard lacks music and smiles. Tomorrow, I will suggest that the school play happy songs during breaks... Life will still have to go on.
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A very different scene In the lecturers' waiting room, most of the teachers signed the book and received the microphone before returning to the lecture hall, rarely staying to drink water and chat like before the pandemic. Some of my colleagues who usually meet each other so happily, these past few days also quickly left school right after teaching. There was a woman with a small child, her eyes filled with tears, saying that when she got home, she ran out to hug her child but had to stop her immediately to change clothes, disinfect... making the child feel hurt and cry. Before returning to teaching, Ms. Thanh Huyen wrote on her Facebook, sharing with students how to go to school safely during the epidemic. In it, she said: “You should also proactively monitor your health. If you see signs of cough, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath... then let me know so that we can find a way to protect your personal health, avoid infecting your friends and teachers, while still ensuring that you complete your study program. Don't worry, I have prepared a plan..." |
According to Tuoi Tre online
Author:Thanh Huyen
