COUNTRIES INVOLVED

JAPAN

Speculative reports in recent times across India have been rife with the possibility that the impending third wave of the Pandemic will disproportionately affect children. This has led to much worry on the part of parents who were already dealing with the stress of their offspring missing proper school education for more than a year now. This photo-essay looks at how children spent their time during the second wave of the Pandemic in Kolkata.

The excitement that usually identifies our vacations got replaced after two years mostly out of concern. We were the first to get vaccinated here in Israel and still ‘even after the third vaccine. Until the Covid test results arrive two days before the flight. We had no way of knowing if we’ll be able to fly. After two full years in which we didn’t go on vacation outside the borders of Israel, it finally happened. At some moments in some cities, it seemed as if there is no plague going on in the world. And at other times, it’s seemed to be right here. The feeling is so weird, it’s not just the mask that’s with you everywhere it’s also the awareness that follows you everywhere. We were able to fly healthy, but will we be able to return healthy.

The pandemic period forced us indoors for months and made us aware of the limitations of living in a space that does not conform to our natural needs. The quarantine put our emotional stability to the test, but this was necessary to achieve the important goal of protecting others. There are those who live in captivity on a daily basis, all too often for entertainment purposes. Why does man build cages? When they are not used to help injured, trafficked or mistreated animals, do we really need to confine living beings?

Not too long after his wife passed away COVID-19 spread in the Netherlands. We were forced to go into lockdown. Just like many other grandchildren, I had to visit my grandfather with a window separating us. All the elderly sat home alone, without any kisses or hugs for weeks. Jaap became isolated, spending all his time alone at home.

CONCLUSION

Four themes are common to all six countries, but next to that each photographer has chosen two personal themes that they are most passionate about. Here we show their second personal theme. The themes are very diverse: from animals in captivation in Italy to the re-acquired ability to travel in Israel and from the loneliness of elders in the Netherlands to worries about the effect on children in India.