Families all over the world were put in a dilemma when Covid19 became a global pandemic. They had to make the decision whether to take the first flight to be together or stay wherever they are and just let this pandemic wane out until the world gets back to normal. This couldn’t be truer with the family of my friend Kiok Chon, a Korean-American currently living here in Seoul. Her husband, David Chon, is a restaurateur based in Hainan, China. Their children are based in different States in the US. Alicia is in New York, Casey is in San Francisco and Jason is in Boston. The family of five is based in five cities, in three countries. They represent a global family that remains connected 24/7 in all of the four different time zones.
Music Connects in the Time of Covid19
Their distance in this unfortunate time was deeply felt when Jason celebrated his twentieth birthday last March 25, alone in his apartment. He is currently a Music major in Berklee College of Music. He expressed his longing for his family through the best way he knows how, his music. He shared his music playing “True” by Martin Taylor and wrote in his social media:
“Today is my birthday and like a lot people here, I am alone in my apartment, unable to go home. Naturally, I just began to think about everything that has happened in the past couple of weeks. I took a lot of things for granted and the isolation has helped me understand my situation much more clearly.” – Jason Chon
Technology Connects Families in the Time of Covid19
His acceptance and understanding of the gravity of the pandemic came from the first-hand experience constantly being shared by their dad, David Chon. David chose to stay in Hainan while the pandemic was at its worst in China. While the other parts of the world were dismissive about the effect of Covid19, David was already actively showing his family what was happening. He made use of all the communication channels to impart to his family what needed to be done. He went further by showing how one can remain productive during the pandemic:
“I can’t just tell them what to do but I have to show them how they should conduct themselves. I have to be visible. Since the virus crisis hit China first, I was the first one to experience what is now a global situation. I did many community events to help others so I tried to use this period strategically. I wrote economic outlook analysis pieces, did many media interviews and programs so they can see one can remain productive during the virus crisis. I told them to focus on what they can do to prevent the virus (mask, washing hands and avoiding a large crowd).
They should not get lost in the noise. They should try to be helpful for the community during the shutdown, and expect the virus cycle will take time to run its course. Now my focus is shifting to prepare my family for the changed world that they will live and work in once the crisis is over. Also, I want them to learn through this crisis how to stay calm during turbulent times so they can see things others can’t.” – David Chon
David celebrated his restaurant’s first anniversary sharing 280 food packs composed of sandwiches and Korean bibimbap and masks to students who stayed at the Hainan University. It was his way of boosting their morale. This got him featured at the China Xinhua News:
Alicia acknowledges the importance of technology in their family life. She and her siblings got live and personal updates from their parents (living in Hainan and Seoul) when the virus first hit Asia. Their parents personal experience and tips helped them to be prepared before Covid hit the US. But she admits, distance bothered her a bit:
“Personally, the most difficult part for me is not being with my family. Most of my friends have been able to fly or drive home to their parents and siblings. Despite these difficult times, I remain extremely grateful that everyone is healthy, staying inside and following the CDC and government guidelines, and staying connected through technology.” – Alicia Chon
Kiok was grateful she was able to hear her son’s music on his birthday. It may not be the most ideal way to celebrate, but the current circumstances are far from ideal. As acknowledged by David, this is going to be most likely a changed world once the crisis is over. We just need to learn through this crisis how to stay calm during turbulent times.
In the meantime, they turn to music and technology to connect.
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Aww sad to hear they’re not physically together as a family during this hard time… but glad that technology keeps them connected. I’m proud of the dad who made use of his first-hand knowledge about the virus and became active in sharing it. He even helped provide food.. hope his restaurant gets a lot of loyal patrons when this is all over. 🙂
Crisis brings out the best and sadly, the worst of humanity. I’m so glad that David side with the best by being a bearer of encouragement not just to his own family but to those around him as well. I’m always grateful for internet connectivity and technology for bridging the distance. Praying for the end of this pandemic where families like the Chons can be together as family should.
music has no boundaries and is certainly a welcome respite especially now! I applaud all the musicians who are doing this online now to help peoples’ anxieties!
I agree. Technology kind of like where we are hanging, making us a bit stronger because we would be able to communicate with our loved ones. Hirap siguro nito kung wala pa internet tapos mag isa ka lang ano? My son celebrated his bday 26th of march, naka video call lang din family namin
During this difficult time, anyone can find a way to make amends and to cope. Stories like written here are very inspiring, it makes me feel like connecting more with others but in a more creative way just like what they did in this story.
Imagine if the current technology isn’t developed yet during this COVID19 Pandemic, the misery among separated families is expected to be sky-high. We are thankful of these technologies, and majority of them are free. Added that the therapeutic effects of music, it could pacify or hamper the anxiety or stress we, all, are experiencing. The periodic update from our loved ones adds to the feeling of security and a sense of survival.
Music really speaks and thanks to technology because our families who are far away from us becomes a little closer in just one click..
It is really a different time we are living in and who would’ve thought that we will reach this point in which we now call the ‘new normal’. This article somewhat explains that old likes or experiences such as enjoying music and new experiences like our technology on how they reconnect people, no matter what generation they were born.
I just chatted with my lola a while ago and she said na parang lahat ng tao nasa abraod. Like the Chon family, buti nalang talaga we have the technology we have now. Kapag wala, I’m gonna miss my loved ones so much more!
Napaka-inspiring naman ng story ng Chon family. Salamat talaga sa technology na meron tayo ngayon kahit na magkakalayo ang magpamilya may way pa din to communicate and be connected.
Imagine if this pandemic happened in the past and we don’t even have any technology to use to connect with our loved ones. It will be very hard and sad for everybody. I salute the dad for his positiveness.
Imagine the NK and SK families separated by war??? huhuhu… no amount of technology can do that for them until now:-(
This difficult time will bring out the advantage of technology. While we do have the usual phone calls, smart phones truly make communication more personal with video calls
I agree! video calls make the difference~
I cant imagine being split from your family during this pandemic and each in different countries? That has got to be rough! I do salute these people though for doing their part in sharing information and helping out their communities. I agree that there will be a changed world after this. Hopefully, things will brighten up soon.
Kami ng mama ko laging nagvivideo call. Miss na kase nila si Nathan, laking tulong talaga ng technoligies to connect with loved ones. And sa music yung chorale alumni namin nung highschool, gumawa sila ng video via zoom, dun sila kumanta para mapahatid sa mga patients and frontliners yung suporta nila. Madami din talagang way to connect people in times of this pandemic
It’s so sad to be celebrating birthdays and milestones without our families! Thank you to technology, this family was able to still keep in touch during this crisis.
Nobody really expected that there will be a pandemic like this. It’s really great that people can maximize the use of technology during this time. This makes me wonder if some people from the remote areas in the Philippines know about our situation.
Tough times test us how much we can hold on, but families like them are stronger. Hold on and eventually, this pandemic will be like a strong typhoon that will just pass.
During these times, it is really a challenge for everyone to stay at home but it is more challenging to those who were not able to be with their loved ones. Glad there’s music and technology to help them connect.
technology has made our lives during lockdown easier. we can communicate with our families in other provinces.
Everyday I pray that everything will go back to normal. Families are separated, nations are divided, crimes are everywhere, injustice and cruelty are existing. But there’s one thing makes us connected, thank you to our technology we are able to connect with other people from the other side of the world
I can’t imagine the misery if technology happens to be suck at this era during the rise of a global pandemic. It’s very unfortunate sad that there are lots of people who don’t get to be with their families now and it’s really nice that their hearts got mended for a bit because of the touch of music. That’s why everyday, I’m always thankful for being lucky to be with my family, have food to eat and we’re still in good health.
I couldn’t agree more with the capability of technology on this era, thanks to the invention that even people here are not physically together but virtually they are connected. I pray that soon, and in no time everything will be okay.
Isa sa pinakamahirap talaga ngayon ang nakikipaglaban tayo sa gitna pandemya na malayo sa family natin ang siyang lakas na nagbibigay sa atin. Kaya buti na lang po talaga may technology na kahit malayo sa family may chance pa din makausap or makita true video call lalo na sa mga important day like celebrating birthday and anniversary po. And buti na lang din po may music para kahit papano nalilibang tayo para iwas anxiety.
Tama po ung tipong walang my alam na mangyyare pala itong pandemic na ito sa buong mundo . Yung wala na bigla nlng hndi na muna mkakapag kita ng personal tayo ng mga mahal natin sa buhay . Buti nlng din tlga my technology na like video call atleast dun man lang makapag usap at makita ang isat isa . Hoping na sana matapos na din ito 🤗❤️
Heto talaga ang pag subok na hindi natin inaasahan, dahil dito sa pandemic na kinakaharap natin ang daming nag bago. Ang laki ng pag aadjust natin dito. Buti nalang talaga kasama ko parin ang family ko at hindi ako malayo sa kanila. At buti nalang din may technology, para sa mga malalayo sa kanilang pamilya makakausap parin nila ito..
This pandemic is really challenging, I can’t imagine how difficult our lives will be without the advancement of technology today. Like this family, through technology I am able to hold on to my sanity during this tough times. It allows me to connect too to my loved ones as well.