Covid-19: The Surging Digital Era and The Silent Loneliness of the People We Left Behind
The world ground to a halt when the recent Covid-19 pandemic emerged, forcefully ushering in an era of uncertainty that redefined every aspect of normal society. During this global turmoil, a remarkable transformation took place — an accelerated transition toward the digital age. While many in the community rejoiced at the semblance of the new normalcy and the convenience that digitalization brought, there exists a group of people unable to reap the same benefits simply because they couldn’t swiftly adapt to the new reality they were unprepared to face. These are the heart-wrenching tales of those left behind in the shadows, stories that have largely remained untold to this day.
This is the story of a young woman and her journey of triumphs and tribulations in the midst of this seismic shift. She is spirited designer who once roamed the bustling metropolitan streets of Hong Kong and Singapore. Now, she has returned to her hometown of Jakarta, driven by a calling to fulfill filial family duties that transcend geographical boundaries. With her father’s untimely passing during her youth, and her siblings venturing overseas to pursue higher education, she became the sole steadfast companion to her mother, who now shoulders the responsibility of caring for two elderly grandmothers.
The pandemic’s arrival was a tidal wave that disrupted the rhythm of their lives. As the world swiftly embraced digitalization, the young woman’s mother embarked on a technological journey fraught with challenges. The maze of tracing apps, vaccination appointments, and digital wallets posed a daunting challenge, highlighting the chasm between generations in this burgeoning digital era.
Yet, those most profoundly affected by this unprecedented era were the oldest among them — the grandmothers. The maternal grandmother, confined to her bed while grappling with lung disease, experienced piercing isolation that only deepened with time. The sparkle in her eyes dimmed as her connections to the world — her children’s and grandchildren’s visits — shifted to video calls, which she struggled to understand. Her once melodious voice faded into a quiet whisper as the joy in her life slowly waned.
The paternal grandmother, an embodiment of strength and vigor, faced her own solitude. Her social outings and family visits diminished, leaving her increasingly cut off from the world. As her isolation grew, her mental and physical health deteriorated, painting a somber picture of the perils of disconnectedness.
Caught in the whirlwind, the young woman and her mother found themselves in a delicate dance of protection and isolation. Fearful of accidentally passing the virus to their grandmothers — who, due to their age and illnesses, couldn’t receive vaccinations — they adopted stringent measures. Their outings became rare, limited to once every ten days, or sometimes not at all if they could manage doorstep deliveries. The specter of an inadvertent transmission loomed, leading to difficult decisions and self-imposed isolation, an act of love that both sheltered and confined them.
As the pandemic ebbed, a poignant realization emerged. Their self-imposed isolation, born out of love and concern, unintentionally cast a veil of loneliness over the grandmothers. The bonds that once connected generations were strained, their rhythm disrupted by the pandemic’s silent dance. The maternal grandmother’s isolation led to muted conversations and a gradual retreat from the world, and the paternal grandmother, deprived of the in-person warmth she cherished, found herself adrift in a sea of solitude.
Even as the younger generations maintained connections through messaging and video calls, this avenue of digital intimacy proved elusive for the grandmothers. Video calls, facilitated through caretakers’ phones, left them perplexed, with unstable connections rendering the experience a confusing blend of frozen images and distorted sound. Vision and hearing losses added further barriers, rendering this form of connection increasingly impractical.
Among the jubilant triumph of the digital age, a poignant undercurrent of loss and regret remains. The grandmothers, ever mindful of the passing of time, found themselves robbed of precious moments that should have been the crowning chapters of their lives. The last opportunities to bask in the warmth of family gatherings, the chance to savor the slow rhythm of life without the rush of busyness, and the joy of simply being surrounded by loved ones — all were wrested away by the pandemic’s unforgiving grip.
In the tale of these grandmothers, we glimpse the heart-wrenching reality that time, a precious and finite resource, was stolen away. Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren lost the privilege of last moments that would have been cherished for a lifetime. The pandemic may have ushered in the digital era’s rapid rise, but it also cast a poignant shadow over the twilight years of those who longed for nothing more than the warmth of human connections in their final chapters.
Amidst the dizzying strides of the digital age, the voices of these grandmothers resonate as poignant echoes of an era that soared beyond imagination. The world witnessed a transformation that defied expectations, swift to come to aid for those who were ready to embrace it. The rapid surge of the digital era, while astonishing in its scope, leaves behind those who are not equipped to keep pace. The tales of the elderly hold a mirror to the perils of progress unchecked.
As we step forward, we must remember that progress should not be made at the expense of human touch and shared experiences. The story of these grandmothers serves as a stark reminder that amidst all the technological advancements, it is the human heart that should remain at the forefront of our efforts. As we progress the society forward, we should ensure that we leave no one behind, and that our efforts created a fair opportunity for everyone to pursue the joy of life. Because in the end, it’s the moments we create with our loved ones that define the tapestry of our lives, an enduring legacy that transcends the relentless march of time.
This story has been written based on the personal account of a friend who wished to remain anonymous. Both the paternal and maternal grandmothers passed away in 2022. The paternal grandmother passed quietly in her sleep, while the maternal grandmother succumbed to her illness. Both elderly individuals passed away after finally being able to meet their extended families one last time.
