Your Voice: Time for Hong Kong to relax Covid measures; online learning requires discipline (short letters)

After two years of the pandemic, people are frustrated with the extreme restrictions introduced by the government.

As the new Omicron variant has proved to be less deadly than the Delta variant, countries like Australia, New Zealand and Singapore have relaxed social-distancing policies. In Sydney, cafes, gyms and restaurants have opened their doors to fully vaccinated customers after nearly four months of lockdown.

But in Hong Kong, tough anti-pandemic measures are still in force.

By relaxing policies, the stress on the city’s medical system can be greatly reduced, leaving more resources for patients with severe illness.

We need to learn to live with the virus.

How Omicron brought down Hong Kong

Cyrus Lau, King Ling College

As a senior form student, online learning hasn’t helped me. It has been challenging to absorb knowledge because I’ve been used to face-to-face lessons.

I feel bored during online classes when there are barely any group discussions.

Besides the ineffectiveness of online learning, I sometimes encounter technical problems, because my Wi-fi system is not very stable.

I also have health problems such as dry eyes, tiredness and headache.

Striking a balance between rest and study is the key to enjoying online lessons.

How to prevent eye strain during online learning

Michelle Pang, STFA Leung Kau Kui College

“Lying flat”, or tang ping in Chinese, is an emerging trend on the mainland where some people reject hard work and adopt an easy-going attitude towards life.

Education officials are worried; they describe this kind of mentality as “passive and self-indulgent”.

I think the term does not mean laziness – people have different priorities nowadays.

Wealth, property and reputation cannot buy health.

We sacrifice our health for our studies, burning the midnight oil or skipping meals. We don’t have time to enjoy life.

We all have different values, so there is no need to criticise others.

Just be yourself and chase what you want without hurting yourself.

Unpacking the idea of lying flat

Chong Tsz-ying, Pope Paul VI College

The Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged the world for the past two years. Infections are surging in Hong Kong, and the government has introduced tougher social-distancing measures.

The Education Bureau has suspended face-to-face classes, and students have been told to take their lessons online.

Online learning requires self-discipline.

It is important to be active during online lessons, asking questions and sharing opinions with your teachers and classmates. To avoid distractions, you should turn off your phone.

Today, some students are addicted to streaming sites such as Netflix and Disney. They should concentrate on their studies more. They should do their work before taking time to relax.

How to stop procrastinating when you’re learning online

Phoebe Ng, King Ling College

Many young people spend a lot of money collecting merchandise launched by their pop idols. Some even use their parents’ money to buy these products.

Last year, the boy band Mirror teamed up with McDonald’s to launch a new food item. My friends ate at the outlet for seven days in a row to collect the flashcards of the band’s members.

What’s more, many Hong Kong teenagers waste valuable time checking their idols’ social media accounts and watching their music videos. This can have a negative impact on their studies.

Students spend too much time and money on celebrities.

They should have more self-control and stop being “addicted” to their idols.

How to talk about fandom culture in Cantonese

Jacky Fung, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

As our society evolves, traditional education no longer suits students. We should promote holistic education, which includes moral, intellectual, physical, social and aesthetic development, to nurture all-round students.

This way, students can gain a wide range of skills and knowledge while boosting their creativity.

The teen who combined her loves of business and art to start a candle shop

For example, even big companies like Apple and McDonald’s have to come up with new creations to keep attracting customers.

The city’s education system needs to stay in touch with developments around the world.

We should bring up students who are well-prepared to face the future.