A personal reflection of risking and protecting lives during the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic
作者基于个人经历，反思在集体且肢体接触频繁的社会中，面对疫情时对暴露风险的恐惧、社会文化压力（如避免触摸）以及人们否认病毒存在、抵制社交距离的情感矛盾。
Abstract In this paper, I engage with my personal experiences and reflections regarding my fear of exposure to coronavirus in a collective and physically demonstrative society. I reflect on my ongoing struggle of coping with social and cultural pressures, for example, the avoidance of ‘touch’ that demonstrates care and affection irrespective of whether someone is ill with the virus. Developed during the third wave of the pandemic, this paper reveals the ambivalence and the emotional challenges involved therein as I tried to (re)negotiate social interactions. It reflects the resistance and denial of the people that coronavirus even exists as they tried to justify their illness by linking it with other known diseases. Hence, the majority disapproved of social distancing to avoid stigmatization and being distanced from others. I believe that expressions of ‘care’ and ‘affection’ requires reconsideration in such circumstances as an act of care itself to protect lives.