How travel needs to form 'cross-group friendships' to find our own vaccine.

On one of my first assignments as a cub reporter in Penang, I was sent to cover a fire in a village. With my editor’s words ringing in my ears – “be objective, don’t get emotional, just get the facts” – I set out with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

The scene was one of destruction. Two houses had been burnt to the ground. A woman was crying hysterically. I braced myself, went up to her, whipped out my notebook and asked, “How do you feel?” She railed at me, and wailed. “You stupid girl, how can you ask such a stupid question?”

I walked away, feeling stupid. I got the facts of the story in the end, but I found it very hard to be objective about the story. I felt for the woman and her family who had lost everything, and I didn’t sleep well that night.

I tell this story because I am finding it really hard to be objective this week about the countless jobs that are being lost in travel, and they are hitting closer and closer to home. My neighbours, a Singapore Airlines pilot, a flight attendant … more than 2,000 jobs cut at Singapore’s star carrier.

“I just said goodbye to 600 of my staff today,” said one chief executive.

The breakup of Accor Asia Pacific, affecting people whom I know really well, and whom I have watched grow the company over decades; Booking.com closing five offices – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg with more to come if borders do not open soon.

It’s hard not to get emotional about the devastation to livelihoods of our comrades-in-travel and the places we have visited and loved.

On the other hand, there’s positive news trickling through as our industry valiantly fights back. Every now and then, a hotel opening in Thailand. Every now and then, an airline starting international flights – VietJet has said it will resume international flights this month. Every now and then, a cruise company says it is commencing sailings.

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