For the 14th daily installment of Big Wheel Blading’s Inline Skating and Life During COVID-19 series we talk to Tien Chang. Tien is a 36-year-old inline skater and American traditional style tattoo artist living in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
What are the current COVID-19 restrictions in Taiwan?
Taiwan is on a border lockdown to keep COVID-19 out, which is the only serious restriction we are facing in Taiwan. We have only has 30 reported cases in Kaohsiung (pop. 2.773 million), so life has remained relatively normal. The government implemeted guidelines that people have to wear masks in public and no gatherings over a 100 people are allowed.
Are you still skating? If so what precautions are you taking to stay safe?
I still do mostly street skating(57mm flat) with occasionally big wheel cruising (80mm and 110mm for big wheel cruising). To stay safe while skating I bring alchohol wipes with me, so whenever I take a break to drink water I clean everything with it. I also wear a mask anytime I leave the house. When I’m done skating I spray down my whole setup with Dettol.
What would make you stop skating?
I will stop skating if the the city goes on lockdown.
What are you doing to occupy your time?
I’ve been doing a lot of reading and find myself on my phone more checking the latest updates about the spread of COVID-19.
How has COVID-19 affected your normal everyday life?
Things haven’t changed much for me and I’m still living my life normally. The only differnce is the need to sanitize everything all the time and wearing a mask while skating is pretty troublesome.
What are your major concerns right now and looking into the future?
I am most concerned about my own health.
How is the skate community in your town reacting?
We don’t really have much of a skate community in this city. We never have more that 5 skaters on sessionk so currently we are fine with that.
Do you have anything you’d like to add?
Everyone take good care of yourselves, we will prevail!
Some of Tien’s tattoo work.
Links
- Follow Tien Chang’s Johnny Sky’s Tattoo Instagram page to see his more of his tattoo work.
- Go to Inline Skating and Life During COVID-19 to read more interviews from skaters from around the world.
- Go to Essential Workers – Inline Skaters on the Front Lines of COVID-19 to read about inline skaters from around the world who are considered Essential Workers.
- For our full COVID-19 coverage go here.
- Contact Big Wheel Blading for and questions, suggestions or ideas.
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