As the global outbreak of COVID-19 continued to spread and was officially announced as a pandemic, most stores in downtown Tokyo were closed for business and the streets were almost empty of people. JR Yurakucho Station near Ginza, where I had to go for unavoidable reasons, was no exception, and the area was as empty as a movie set before filming began. Even when I go out like this, I rarely talk to anyone. The only time I have a solid conversation with someone these days is on Zoom. When I headed for the automatic ticket gate to board the train on my way home, I saw two women standing nearby, talking to each other. It may have been just saying goodbye for the day, but I was a little impressed to see two people face to face and exchange a few words in a very casual and direct manner. I wondered if the day would come when the communication that we have continued to enjoy will once again be taken for granted. As I hopped on the train, I was the only passenger in the car.
COVID-19の世界的な感染が広がり続け、それが「パンデミック」であると公式に発表されたころ、東京の繁華街ではほとんどの店舗が営業を中止し、通りからは人影がほぼ消えていた。やむを得ない事情で出かけた銀座近くのJR有楽町駅も例外ではなく、周辺はまるで撮影開始前の映画のセットような空虚な空間だった。こうして出かけても誰かと話すことはほとんどない。最近誰かとしっかりと会話するのはZOOMの中だけだ、などと考えながら帰路の電車に乗るため自動改札に向かうと、近くに二人の女性が立って話をしていた。ただの別れ際の挨拶だったのかもしれないが、人と人が向き合ってごくふつうに直接言葉を交わしている姿に、少し感動した。人がこれまで続けてきたコミュニケーションがまた、あたりまえになる日が来るのだろうか。そう思いながら乗った電車の車両の乗客は自分一人だった。
©︎K. K. Yam