These are remarkable times indeed
While the entire world adapts to the unprecedented challenges that have followed the spread of Covid-19, so too are we witnessing a moment of unprecedented solutions. This issue, for example, is the first we’ve ever been forced to produce almost entirely while working remotely from our homes. But it was a feat made possible by the incredible technology behind Zoom conference calls and social networking apps like Houseparty.
Throughout our communities, I have repeatedly been touched by stories of entrepreneurs and fashion designers who have stepped up to produce medical supplies or restaurants that have transformed their operations to serve meals to the doctors and nurses working tirelessly on the front lines in the fight against the coronavirus. Their problem-solving spirit is an inspiration to us all, particularly when ideas come about that may have a more lasting positive impact on our lives, such as technology to trace the spread of diseases or new platforms based on the sharing economy that match charities with potential donors.
Here at we faced our own dilemma—how to produce our eight editions in Asia when some countries where we operate had ordered complete lockdowns of their populations. Simultaneously, we wanted to address this crisis in a way that feels appropriate for the moment. Our typically glamorous photoshoots would not have been thinkable, let alone possible. So in an act of mutual support, our entire staff decided to produce a special report on the crisis, looking at the theme of “influence” as seen through the lens of the heroes whose mission, like ours, is to inspire and empower society in Asia and, hopefully, make the world a better place.
Every day, our editors, photographers and writers conversed by Zoom, reporting on major developments from their living rooms and kitchens in Shanghai, Taipei, Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Manila. Here in Hong Kong, where at press time we still enjoy relative freedom of movement, a small group of us continued to work from our headquarters to traffic copy onto pages and make sure each issue represented the best of their local communities. Meanwhile, creative director Miguel Mari came up with a beautiful cover treatment to salute all the amazing individuals who are playing a part in the world’s recovery.
The power of this project, for us, is that in writing these stories, we came together as a team. We all felt a little more positive about our future at a time when the daily onslaught of bad news understandably can make us lose hope. As it happens, in a group chat with my executive team here, I asked each participant to start sharing one positive news story to help offset every one that was negative. Keeping a positive mindset is laying the first brick for hope, so that when better days finally come we can fully embrace and enjoy them. That’s also what we want to achieve with this issue—to bring a little balance to such remarkable times.