Journey through Covid-19

Lim Kim Tong

Journey Through Covid-19

Copyright © 2022 by Lim Kim Tong

Table of Contents Preface

7

Is this time going to be more serious? – Wuhan Virus and SARS

9

2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

10

Covid-19

12

Covid-19 - Prose

13

Our Lives have Changed

15

Covid-19 and Investing

17

Reality hits home

19

Disruptions affect plans

20

Without a care in the world

21

This time it is different – Covid-19 vs SARS

22

Life has changed

24

Covid-19 makes us more sensitive towards others

25

In for a challenging time

26

Let’s Flatten the Curve of this Pandemic

27

“Circuit Breaker” Lockdown

28

How did you spend your day?

29

Be Kind

30

Coping with Depressive Moods

31

Start of Day 1 of Second Week

33

Is it that bad?

34

Coping with Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home Measures

36

Into Second half of Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home Measures

37

Extended Circuit Breaker

38

Did I see a glimmer of hope?

39

Businesses Not Earning Revenues during Covid-19 Shut-down

40

Something changed with Covid-19

41

Circuit Breaker stopped community transmission

42

One month of Stay-at-Home

43

Number of Daily Cases Not coming down for Circuit Breaker to be eased

45

Day 39 of Circuit Breaker Period

47

Lessons learned from Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic

49

Unprecedented

51

Day 52 of Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home

53

Ordinary Singaporeans and residents in it together

54

Where are we now?

55

Covid-19 Fatigue

56

Any opening up of economy is good news

57

Sadness

58

Phase 2 of Reopening the Economy starts 19 June 2020

59

Economic Impact of Covid-19 felt keenly

60

More community cases in recent days

61

I spent less during Covid-19

63

Three weeks into Phase 2 of Reopening

64

Crowd is back

65

This pandemic is not going away

66

The New Normal

67

How are you coping?

68

Covid-19 cases crossed 50,000 confirmed cases

69

Thoughts on Covid-19

70

When will it end?

71

Covid-19 taught me

72

Hardship felt among people

73

Time compressed

74

Mind matters

75

Where is the Sales Revenue?

76

With sadness and not believing

77

November 2020

78

What a Year!

79

How my life has changed during Covid-19 year?

80

New Year is coming

82

Covid-19 Commentaries

84

Looking back at 2020

85

Socially Responsible Things to Do

88

This Chinese New Year

89

Covid-19 Now

90

Covid-19 Spiking Again

91

One year on from Circuit Breaker

92

Adjustments

93

What a week it had been

94

Unstable emotions

96

Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)

97

Here we go again

98

Singapore Covid-19 situation is a concern

99

13 days on Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)

100

Third week of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)

101

Covid Blue

102

Covid-19 infections impact STI

103

Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) felt like Circuit Breaker

104

Latest Covid-19 cases – A cause of concern

105

After more than one year

106

Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) Re-opening

107

Takes its toll

108

Life has gotten tougher for some

109

Twists and Turns

110

Have not seen my doctor for two years

112

Tightened restrictions on dining-in, again

113

Covid-19 Clusters

114

Back to DaBao again (Takeaway food)

116

Seize the day

117

Seniors are targets for latest outbreak, rather unfairly

118

Putting suffering in perspective

120

A National Day Present

121

A Toast to Our Nation

122

No more temperature screening at public places

123

Living a new normal

124

Number of Covid-19 jumped past 800

125

Here we go again – Restrictions for Four Weeks

126

Feel their fears

127

Number of Covid-19 cases scares me

128

Live life normally but take precautions

129

Has Daily Infection Rates hit the crest?

130

Let’s look at numbers

131

The Great D

133

Covid-19 Restrictions Extended

134

I had my Booster – My Experience

135

Because I Stay at Home More

136

Two months to end of 2021

137

Almost six weeks of stay-at-home

139

Slowly relaxing restrictions on Covid-19

140

Feeling more confident with Covid-19

141

Eating in F&B outlets allowed up to five fully vaccinated persons

142

We have Delta and now Omicron

143

Leisure travel during Covid-19

144

Epilogue

145

Preface Pandemic In December 2019, we were booked on a Singapore Airlines flight to Taiwan for our annual retreat. The date of departure was on 11 May 2020.

China reported to the international community on 31 December 2019 that a strain of Novel Coronavirus (nCov) was detected in Wuhan. We thought then that this new virus could be like SARS of 2002/2003. It took less than a year to eradicate SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). We were still hopeful that our planned trip to Taiwan in May 2020 might go ahead.

Now we are into 2022 and the global community is still grappling with this pandemic of Covid-19 coronavirus. Two years on and we have not seen the end. Our lives have been disrupted by lockdowns, social distancing, mask-wearing and fears of catching the virus.

I wrote in my journal of significant events and my feelings of living with the threat of Covid-19 for two years. These were collated in the following pages of Journey Through Covid-19.

No one knows when Covid-19 will end. I have chosen not to dwell on it and decide not to write about it from now on. Looking back on what I had written was painful. It has taken two years and a toll on my physical and mental health. This episode is like fighting a battle. It appears we are winning at times to be brought down to reality that we have a long way to go to get back to pre-pandemic way of life.

Emotions ran high and I wrote several proses in my journal on some days.

I hope to see Covid-19 as an endemic disease and catch up with all my friends and relatives as freely as before the pandemic.

Take care.

Lim Kim Tong 11 February 2022

28 January 2020 Is this time going to be more serious? – Wuhan Virus and SARS The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) started in China in November 2002 and peaked in the first half of 2003. I remember my team and I were involved in the temperature taking of students in 2003. We started with using thermometers to measure body temperature and ended with thermal scanner technology. We had developed a routine for this some 17 years ago.

Now China had this Wuhan Virus*, a strain of Novel Coronavirus (nCov), that started towards the end of 2019. History is repeating itself after SARS. Is this time going to be more serious?

One great comfort is that China and the world are taking notice of the potential disease pandemic at the early stage of the Wuhan Virus outbreak. The SARS experience in 2002/2003 is helping nations to combat the spread of this virus round the globe.

Singapore has the protocols and contingency plans to see us through this dreadful virus. I remember Mr Khaw Boon Wan was the face of the government combating SARS. I still remember him asking the nation to “always wash our hands” in Hokkien (常常洗⼿手). The current government and the hospitals have the past experiences to guide them.

Let’s hope that the Wuhan Virus does not get out of control. There will be inconveniences as we go about in our daily lives. Personal hygiene is key to prevent the spread of the virus.

People have to take responsibilities for their own health and the health of others around us.

SARS started to tail off towards the second half of 2003. Let’s hope this time round it could be shorter. Panic is not the way to go.

* Wuhan Virus is now called Covid-19 coronavirus by World Health Organization (WHO)

7 February 2020 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak We ushered in the Chinese New Year of the Rat on 25 January knowing the seriousness of this Novel Coronavirus outbreak. This was how we celebrated Chinese New Year.

For more than a month now, we are watching the spread of this Coronavirus in China and round the world. Deaths were reported among confirmed cases.

On 4 February, Singapore reported four confirmed cases that point towards limited local transmission. Yesterday, there was a case without known link to previous confirmed cases.

The last one is a bit worrying as the Ministry of Health (MOH) was not able to establish how he caught the virus.

This is where it stands now. To fight this Novel Coronavirus, everyone has a role to play. It comes down to social responsibilities and for individuals to be strict on personal hygiene.

I salute the front-line medical care health personnel that have to face with this dreaded virus. The disruptions faced by almost everyone from schools to businesses to individual service personnel facing the public, should be tolerated as we fight this virus to save lives.

The inconvenience is nothing when compared with people inflicted with the Coronavirus.

Keep safe and healthy. Do the necessary precautions and be calm.

Chronology of Coronavirus Outbreak “Wuhan Virus” now renamed as “2019 Novel Coronavirus” (2019-nCoV) first came to light on 31 December 2019 when China informed the World Health Organization (WHO) of this outbreak of Coronavirus with Wuhan as the epicenter.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) put up notice of this outbreak to the media on 2 January 2020. Temperature screening of travelling passengers for fever at the Changi Airport started from 3 January 2020.

On 22 January, a multi-ministerial task force was set up to deal with the quickly spreading virus outbreak.

We ushered in the Chinese New Year of the Rat on 25 January.

On 4 February, the first local Coronavirus cluster was reported and on 6 February, two confirmed case were reported. One is a 41-year-old Singaporean male with no recent travel history to China and who does not appear to be linked with previous confirmed cases.

13 February 2020 Covid-19 From Wuhan Virus to 2019-nCoV to finally Covid-19, the name of the coronavirus outbreak that originated from Wuhan City of Hubei Province is officially named Covid-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Back in 2002/2003, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) saw 8,096 probable cases and 774 deaths resulting from SARS. (Data provided by WHO for period 1 November 2002 to 31 July 2003.) In Singapore, probable SARS cases were 238 and deaths were 33.

Covid-19 has far outnumbered SARS. The confirmed cases were 60,061 and deaths were 1,357 (13 February 2020 4.11 pm).

Singapore’s confirmed cases were 50 with zero death so far. We are not out of the woods yet. More and more people are seen wearing face masks. With the experience of SARS in 2003, we are taking the fight of Covid-19 quite well.

Lives go on with precautionary measures of not contracting the virus. Large gatherings are reduced or cancelled and temperature takings are carried out at premises like the hospitals, clinics, banks and office buildings. I see less people coming out and I see less people coughing in public places. It shows that Singaporeans are taking the fight against this coronavirus seriously. This is a great comfort.

The best we can do is to stay healthy and take all precautions to protect ourselves. If we are sick, stay at home and do not go to work. Before this dreaded Covid-19, people tended to go to the office even if they were to have flu, running nose and coughs. Crosscontamination is easiest when people who are sick still insist on working in the office.

I see hope and human will not lose the fight against a virus. The whole world is looking into this. Covid-19 is not someone’s fault. It happens and we simply have to deal with it to save lives.

I salute all the medical personnel from doctors, nurses, medical care attendants, and the ambulance paramedics. They are the ones facing the virus close-up! I thank all for doing your parts to fight it together.

15 February 2020 Covid-19 - Prose Sleep at night brings end of day Day of numbers of infected persons A relief that it is own bed Wake up in morning Another new day What numbers will they be?

Enemy is not visible with own eyes A cough, a sneeze nearby Held breath momentarily More and more wearing masks Fear resulting from not knowing much Who is carrier and who is not?

Panic starts Queues form Better to get essentials before all gone Normalcy disrupted Queues form At places for temperature taking Reduce contacts Quiet at shops and walkways Better be safe than sorry Doctors and nurses stretched Vitamin Cs in short supply Where can we get more masks?

We know the enemy Fear and panic are worse No fear as we make the best of another day Keep up personal hygiene Be responsible Stay safe

17 February 2020 Our Lives have Changed Covid-19 infection came out of the blue. The worst time for this to happen was when the Chinese were about to ring in the New Year of the Rat (on 25 January 2020). Wuhan City of Hubei Province is the place where the new coronavirus first surfaced. From January to February 2020, the world saw how infectious this virus can cause. 71,332 were infected with 1,775 deaths. (17 February 2020, 2.47 pm) Face masks are in short supply at the stores. Toilet papers and hand sanitisers are sought after commodities.

Tourist arrivals to Singapore are expected to drop by 25-30% for this year according to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Spending by tourists is expected to be reduced too. China visitors were top visitors in 2019 at 3,627,000 followed by Indonesian tourists (3,110,000).

From the economic point of view, China tourists are an important source of tourism receipts for the economy. Because of Covid-19, the Singapore government instituted travel ban on new visitors with recent travel history to Hubei or those with Chinese passports issued there. The ban was extended to travellers with recent travel history to China or who have Chinese passports. (1 February). This effectively cuts off tourists from China.

Since the coronavirus is infectious, large gatherings were avoided. People are shopping less at retail malls based on anecdotal evidence.

We are more conscious of personal hygiene. Messages were put out to avoid touching our faces with our hands. We resist the urge to touch our faces with our hands for fear of transferring the virus from hands to eyes, noses and mouths.

More people are wearing masks at public places and in public transport. Wearing a mask was a rare phenomenon before this. People coughed freely in public places. Now we suppress our coughs and sneezing.

The mortality rate for Covid-19 is low when compared with SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). But, no one wants to be infected with this virus because of the disruptions to his/her life and the lives of those people he/she came into contact with.

Life is not easy for this period when China and the world are trying to battle this outbreak.

Our lives have changed. This is necessary and in time to come after we have succeeded we can look back at this episode as another history of medical conditions. Hopefully, we have learned our lessons.

This too will pass. We can overcome.

24 February 2020 Covid-19 and Investing When you thought the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak is showing signs of slowing, South Korea reported spikes in infection rate to now at 763 confirmed cases with 7 deaths in matters of few days (10.45 am, 24 Feb 2020). Italy is catching up with Japan at 132 confirmed cases versus Japan’s 135 cases. Singapore had 89 confirmed cases.

Covid-19 is contagious and spread fast from human to human. Infection rate is worse than SARS (2003). Hospitals will find difficulty in coping with huge number of patients infected with the coronavirus. When a person comes into contact with a confirmed case, he/she is quarantined for 14 days (which is the incubation period of this virus). Countries are imposing travel restrictions and also advising own residents from travelling to affected countries.

Wuhan city in the Hubei Province is the epicentre of this Coivd-19 outbreak. As a result, Hubei province is under lockdown with residents not allowed to travel out of this province.

Production lines across China have not really fully started since the Chinese New Year break.

Weaknesses in the world’s second largest economy and factory of the world China have ripple effect round the globe. First quarter economic numbers will be affected significantly.

Singapore is bracing for the worst.

Sectors such as the travel industry, hotels, food & beverage outlets, retail businesses and transport are the first to be hit. With lower tourist arrivals and local residents avoiding crowded places, these businesses are reporting lower sales.

If this condition were to drag on past first quarter, cash flow would become an issue for businesses. With low revenue but continuing cash outflows like wages, rents, loan repayments, some may not survive.

This kind of uncertainty makes investing difficult. When is the bottom is anyone’s guess.

The stock markets have not fully factored in the severity of Covid-19. Our hope is that China can contain the coronavirus, and the rest of the world could do more to limit the spread of the virus within their borders. The world has to stop it before it becomes a global pandemic with the spread of Covid-19.

Stock Indices as at today Stock Indices

31-Dec-19

24-Feb-20 YTD Change

Hang Seng (HK)

28,189.75

26,820.88

-4.9%

Shanghai Composite

3,050.12

3,031.23

-0.6%

STI (Singapore)

3,222.83

3,146.20

-2.4%

23,656.62

23,386.74

-1.1%

Nikkei 225 (Japan)

4 March 2020 Reality hits home Singapore is not the only country affected with the outbreak of Covid-19 coronavirus infection outbreak. There has been a spike in infections in countries like South Korea, Italy, and Iran in recent days. The United States of America is coming to grip with this coronavirus that does not respect physical borders.

“The OECD lowered its global GDP forecast by half a percentage point over coronavirus fears on Monday (2 March) to 2.4 percent, the lowest since the 2008 financial crisis.” OECD Economic Outlook, March 2020.

Travel across countries is greatly affected with flight cancellations due to reduced demands for travel to different countries. Situations are evolving and governments are providing travel advisories and instituting travel curbs on travellers to different countries.

Our lives have been disrupted. Events and large gatherings have been cancelled or postponed. We do not know whether future events will go ahead. One cannot plans ahead in the short term. In the meantime, we are subjected to temperature screening at many places, including self-declarations of places we had visited and whether we came into contacts with confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

Countries are facing short supply of face masks. Panicky residents are stocking up supplies from noodles, rice to toilet papers. This is not just a unique phenomenon of Singapore.

Other countries are the same. Such is the human nature of fear of the unknown. Will the supermarkets run out of certain items? That is their fear.

In time like this, just go with the flow. No need to be upset. Rational thinking will overcome fear. Social responsibility becomes important to stop the march of Covid-19. Personal responsibility is the starting point. Adopting precautions and personal hygiene are keys.

When will this Covid-19 outbreak end? It looks like a long battle. Our lives must still continue. Accept the inconvenience and live as normally as we can.

11 March 2020 Disruptions affect plans During this period of Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak with many countries outside of China seeing spikes in confirmed cases, it is a wonder whether our lives can be normal. Travel restrictions are in place for some countries. Some scheduled group activities are cancelled to protect individuals and to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infections.

In my case, I had already bought promotional air-tickets back in early December last year to travel to Taiwan for an annual retreat. The organiser cancelled this retreat and I do not blame them and I think it is the right thing to do. Because this is a promotional air-ticket, cancellation is not allowed. This is the kind of disruption I am talking about because of Covid-19.

I took the stand that I am willing to forgo the air-tickets. It is a small price to take (about $545), compared to being sick with the coronavirus and incurring hospitalisation costs and health scare.

Yes, there can be disruption to our plans. We can either brood about it or to accept it as the new normal during this period. The latter is far better. So when I am faced with matters that do not go my way, I will ask myself: “What is the worst case scenario?” After some rational thinking, it will calm me a lot.

In the days to come, we would be seeing more disruptions to our lives. I am not going to let this Covid-19 coronavirus defeats me. Human has the wisdom to tackle this virus. We must band together and watch out for each other.

Keep calm and carry on living!

20 March 2020 Without a care in the world Our neighbourhood cats are oblivious Napping comfortably in the shade Even with people passing by What is with the stock market?

When is the next customer order coming?

Have I got enough to retire?

Covid-19 upsets our lives Many deaths occurred We avoided people, fearful River flows and finds its way to the sea Life flows The sun rises the next morning The moment is now Live this moment No worries about what is to come Wisdom will prevail Fear has no place Live life without a care in the world

25 March 2020 This time it is different – Covid-19 vs SARS SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) started in Guangdong province, China with first case reported on 16 November 2002. It affected mainly the Asian region and Canada.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared SARS was ended on 5 July 2003 some seven months later.

Seventeen years later on 31 December 2019, China alerted WHO on the onset of Covid-19. In the span of two-and-half months, the world saw 415,146 confirmed cases with 18,589 deaths as at 25 March 2020, 3.09 pm. Covid-19 affected 194 countries and territories around the world.

SARS was dwarfed by Covid-19 in scale, infection rates and death rates. It was classified as an epidemic that affected 26 countries and resulted in more than 8,000 cases in 2003.

Covid-19 is a pandemic that affects practically the whole world.

In Singapore, there were 238 SARS cases, 33 of whom died by the time the infection was brought under control in May 2003. As for Covid-19, it is still spreading in Singapore with 558 confirmed cases and 2 deaths (as at 25 March 2020, 3.46 pm).

Covid-19 is frightening when compared with SARS. A person who is asymptomatic and not having a fever could be already infected and as a result could be passing on the coronavirus to another person(s) without any knowledge of doing so.

In 2003 SARS, temperature check on individuals was an effective method to identify SARSinfected person. With Covid-19, it is not 100 percent foolproof that a person is not infected. Only through a lab-test, a person can be cleared of carrying the coronavirus.

Because of this and to break the transmission from one individual to another, isolation and quarantine is the only sure way. That is why many countries are adopting border control and lockdown of countries, cities and provinces to contain the spread of Covid-19.

In SARS, lockdowns of cities or countries were not happening. With Covid-19, air travels, land and sea crossings across borders are curtailed. This has a huge impact on tourism.

Singapore and other countries are losing tourism receipts. SIA has to ground 96% of flights for April. Malaysia closed the border crossing with Singapore. For the first time, the

causeway and Tuas crossings went quiet except for few vehicles and goods vehicles allowed to move across the border.

To fight this coronavirus, social distancing and stay-at-home are the new norms. Social gatherings of more than 10 people at a time are discouraged in Singapore. Religious services and congregations will be suspended. Bars and entertainment venues will be closed until April 30. In short, residents are to stay at homes as much as they can.

Covid-19 pandemic is going to have a huge impact on the global economies. IMF has predicted a global downturn for this year as bad as the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. The global stock markets have already factored this possibility in their stock prices. They have lost about 30% this year for some major stock markets, like the US. Singapore is not spared.

When will the Covid-19 pandemic end or will it? I am still hoping that it will end by summer and lives can then return to normalcy with the many lockdowns lifted.

30 March 2020 Life has changed It is like a heavy rain moving from East to the West starting from China to the United States of America. The rain clouds continue to move westerly crossing the European continent to North America.

This rain analogy is not unlike seeing raining sheets moving from Jurong in a distance coming towards me. It then moves on to Changi. This is what is happening to Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Our lives have changed as a result of Covid-19. For the first time, we are not doing our annual ritual of Qing Ming（ 清明 ）next month. The monastery where my parents’ urns are kept is closed for such an event because of the government directive.

We are advised to stay at home as much as possible so as to minimise our contacts with people. We simply do not know who has the coronavirus and could spread to us.

Singapore has not adopted curfew or a complete lockdown like some countries. We can still go out to buy our daily necessities and to eat. When we are sitting down to eat, we are to sit at seats that are not marked against sitting. We have to maintain 1 metre distance between each other. This is safe-distancing from coronavirus passing on to us. Any kind of social gathering must be only 10 or less people. If we were to violate these rules, we can be punished under the Infectious Disease Act. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to others. Keep ourselves safe, our loved ones and others safe too during this disease pandemic. It is inconvenient and disruptive but do we have a better alternative to fight this Covid-19 coronavirus?

31 March 2020 Covid-19 makes us more sensitive towards others It takes a virulent coronavirus to bring people together for one purpose - that is to beat it.

People are cooperating under severe disruptions to a life we were normally accustomed to. We stand in line within the markings on the floor while queuing for our food. Our family eat more often at home to minimise contacts with others as part of social distancing. By social distancing, it protects you and it protects me.

People are taking personal hygiene more seriously and would avoid coughing in public.

NEA’s exhortation to keep public places clean has finally gotten the message through. The cleaners have less to pick up used tissue papers on the table from people finishing their meals.

We appreciate doctors, nurses, health care workers, ambulance paramedics, and all associated with care of patients. They are the ones to save lives. Many carry out their duties and responsibilities humbly and not seeking publicities.

We feel the pains of people who have less income because of a weak economy. Customer demands dry up for some businesses and for some owners of small businesses. People are told to avoid shopping malls unless for buying essential items. Retail shops bear the brunt of lower footfalls. We are preventing travellers from coming to Singapore. This impacts all establishments that cater to the tourist trades from F&B, hotel accommodations, transportation to tourist attractions.

We feel for those who are confirmed Covid-19 cases especially those without clear links to affected people. How did they catch the coronavirus? Our hearts go out to all patients of Covid-19.

4 April 2020 In for a challenging time It got progressively more stringent with the measures to contain this Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Short of a total lockdown or a curfew as seen in other countries, most physical work places would be required to be closed for four weeks starting 7 April ending 4 May. Schools and Institutes of Higher Learning are to move to full home-based learning from 8 April. What we will see continuing are work places that provide essential services and those in economic sectors critical for local and global supply chain. There will not be sit-in dining for all F&B outlets, coffee shops and hawker centres. Only takeaways and deliveries are allowed.

The measures are to restrict social contacts and to stay at home as much as possible. In this way, we can hopefully break the transmission of Covid-19 in the community.

The impact on business activities will be significant. Business income will be reduced for most businesses and take-home pays for most employees will also be reduced. It is difficult to be optimistic in this environment when we are not seeing the end of the spread of Covid-19. As it is now, the stock markets have taken a major hit in March. April will see more downside risks to stock markets and investments.

Covid-19 pandemic is a global problem. World leaders have to come together in a coordinated effort to stem the pandemic.

During this uncertain time, the wise saying that we ought to save for a rainy day rings true.

We will need cash to tide us over this challenging time. When we have savings, we would be less anxious. If one were able, lend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate than us. Buy from your local small businesses. Buy take-away meals from your favourite hawker stalls and food outlets at coffee shops. Give in kind to the community fridge nearby.

The most important thing to do is to protect yourself adequately. Once you are healthy, your immediate family members get protected too. Less social contacts during this period is critical to slow the infection transmission rate. Stay at home as much as possible.

This reminded me of a song: “We shall overcome”.

Stay well!

5 April 2020 Let’s Flatten the Curve of this Pandemic It depends on everyone to play his/her part.

Covid-19 coronavirus depends on human-to-human interactions as the main means to transmit from one person to another. When we contact with each other less, the transmission breaks down or reduces significantly. Social distancing during this period of infection surge will flatten the curve of infections.

What we can do to combat Covid-19 is to stay home as much as possible. Go out only when absolutely necessary. Avoid crowded places when you are out. When you are out there, keep a safe distance of 1 metre from the next individual. Keep to your immediate household members. Connect with your relations via social media and do not visit them at this moment.

It seems like social isolation by staying at home. But, it is the only way to protect yourself and your family and also in the process protect your relations and their families. We seek our relations’ understanding if we refuse to meet up, at least for this period to flatten the infection curve.

In this age of social media, we can still maintain contacts with each other, albeit in cyberspace. Social media is a double-edged sword. It would be most unhelpful, if people simply forward messages, videos, audios, etc without establishing the facts and truths of the forwarded messages. This could raise more anxieties and fears unnecessarily on the recipients. We have to work to calm nerves and not to raise anxieties.

It is painful having to adjust to one month of partial lockdown. It is a small sacrifice to make than to endure long periods of this pandemic and worse still more deaths resulting from Covid-19.

With every crisis, there are opportunities and new ways of living this life. Something good may come out of it.

Keep safe!

7 April 2020 “Circuit Breaker” Lockdown Day One of “Circuit Breaker” Lockdown Most physical work places are closed Construction sites are quiet ERP ceased since yesterday Fewer cars on the roads More cars are parked at residences Stay at home, we must Da Bao food, we can Sit in dining to enjoy our food, we can’t Parents are waiting now To pick up their children from schools For the last time A new way of learning for most From home and not at school Wifi usage will hit new high Reduce contact with others is crucial To break the chain of transmission No more walking at malls If you need to go out of home Set your target destination Do it and come home For a country so used to relentless economic activities It is a wakeup call To know that we can be brought to almost standstill Today is Day One There are 27 more days after today For freedom

9 April 2020 How did you spend your day?

Today is Day 3 of Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home regime. How did you spend your day since Tuesday?

I count the day by the meals taken - breakfast, lunch and dinner. My family was happy when we finished a meal. One meal settled!

Come night, I waited for news from Ministry of Health (MOH) to see what was the number of confirmed cases. Last night we had 142 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infections. The highest single day increase since we started tracking the infection rates. My heart sank.

Worst still, there were 72 unlinked cases, meaning that an infected person did not know how he/she got it. Who is carrying the coronavirus and spreading it without knowing it is happening?

Throughout the day, we got news of the latest measures to get people to comply with the spirit of social distancing. This is important because we can comply and not to run foul of the measures. We also read about other countries in coping with Covid-19. It can be overwhelming.

Then we have WhatsApp chatgroups and my contacts have been forwarding all kind of stuffs including videos and news scoop. Some of these were fake news, like the one when someone said that Queen Elizabeth had been tested positive with Covid-19. That is too blatant and total disregard to forward without confirming the authenticity of the “news”. It is already gloom and we deserve better than to be subjected to fake news.

What we need most is positivity and uplifting materials to help us face this dreaded coronavirus. I appreciate some who have something positive to say, to care and be sensitive to our wellbeing.

My way of coping is to stay in the present. Enjoy the moment like admiring the supermoon Pink Moon early this morning. Enjoy looking at the green shoots of our plant at home.

Enjoy the company of my family together.

Stay safe.

11 April 2020 Be Kind This Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home measure affects everyone in different ways.

People working in food & beverage outlets continue to serve customers who come in to take-away food. I was at Delifrance this morning to buy sultana bread and later at Koufu Foodcourt to pack food (Da Bao 打包) to eat lunch at home. I looked at these people serving me and it hit me that they were there to serve me despite their own discomfort of Covid-19 coronavirus. They are trying their best to serve and at the same time ensure that customers keep to the rule of standing one-metre apart. Some can be irritable or may not be up to mark of good customer service.

During this period of tension, why not smile and thank them for serving us. They will appreciate this kind gesture. It takes the stress off them. Remember that they too want to go home safe after each day. Be kind to all who serve us.

Keep smiling.

Day 5 of Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home

12 April 2020 Coping with Depressive Moods Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic is getting me down. The number of confirmed cases is staying elevated. The number was 287 three days ago. It was 198 two day ago and it was 191 yesterday. Total number of confirmed cases now stands at 2,299.

Am I seeing light at the end of the tunnel? This is depressing news.

To make matter worse, my water heater tank sprang a leak on the first day of Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home measures. My family decided to hold back calling in a plumber to repair so as to protect everyone by minimising contacts with other people. The water leak continued for 5 days with water sipping through the false ceiling board! Our water bill for this month will shoot up.

Then the stock markets and financial markets got hammered with each bad news of the spread of Covid-19 among nations. Our investments are affected badly.

Setting Expectations I examine myself and realise that why I feel downcast is because of one major factor. I set my expectations too high. I want things to go on smoothly without hiccups. This is unrealistic in real life.

If I were to expect things to go wrong, then the impact of bad news would be less severe.

Putting things in perspective Yes, we have seen rising Covid-19 infection rates for past few days. Yes, we know that the clusters of infections in the foreign workers’ dormitories are worrying. We know all that.

I see the whole nation actions to stop the spread of Covid-19 infections as a positive. If we were sensible and protect ourselves by taking measures in our own hands, we would be alright.

I tell myself not to worry about material losses. What is most important is to remain healthy.

What is wealth without health?

The sun still rises every morning. Birds are still singing. Plants are still growing. Flowers will bloom. We are still living.

Do not chase all news on Covid-19 and less chatter of negativities on social media.

Day 6 of Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home Measures

14 April 2020 Start of Day 1 of Second Week Today is Day One of Second Week of Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home measures. We have completed first week of a four-week of Stay-at-Home order to bring down the infection rates of Covid-19 coronavirus. The number of confirmed cases yesterday was the highest single day spike in cases. It was 386 cases bringing the total to 2,918 confirmed cases so far. I thought we were doing quite well in fighting the coronavirus until April came around.

Clusters of infections started appearing in several dormitories of foreign workers. This is worrying. Furthermore, the number of unlinked cases as at 12 April was 312. This figure shows there is community spread among affected people who did not know where they caught the coronavirus.

How are we coping during this circuit breaker period?

I spoke to one food outlet that sells pizzas and pastas this morning. He told me that his business was slow. He was thinking of closing for one month.

The stock markets in the Asian region got a lift today. Thanks to China for releasing today a better than expected export and import data for March 2020 transactions.

Stock Indices

Previous Close

14-Apr-20

Change

19,043.40

19,638.81

3.1%

STI (Singapore)

2,567.25

2,634.57

2.6%

Australia All Ordinaries

5,439.40

5,542.50

1.9%

Shanghai Composite

2,783.05

2,827.28

1.6%

24,300.33

24,435.40

0.6%

Nikkei 225 (Japan)

Hang Seng (HK)

The Straits Times Index (STI) rose 2.6% in a single day despite the grim picture of Covid-19 infections in Singapore. Investing communities are looking ahead and the stock markets move with economic news as well and not just what is happening now with Covid-19.

Latest news The new infections for today stand at 334 bringing the total confirmed cases to 3,252. Not pretty at all.

16 April 2020 Is it that bad?

The information on Covid-19 infections yesterday alarmed me. 447 new confirmed cases in a single day. Total number stands at 3,699. There were 10 deaths arising from the coronavirus. 26 patients are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

I need numbers to tell me how bad the Covid-19 coronavirus has been in Singapore.

These numbers are extracted from the Ministry of Health website.

Citizens/PRs Confirmed cases Percentages

LT pass holders Other Local Imported Cases Total

803

2,323

5

568

3,699

21.7%

62.8%

0.1%

15.4%

100%

21.7% of total confirmed cases are Citizens/Permanent Residents.

62.8% of total confirmed cases are Long-term pass holders.

Imported cases are 15.4% of total.

Long-term pass holders are badly hit.

Local cases residing in dorms Work Permit holders not in dorms Community Cases Confirmed cases Population at risks Prevalence

2,031

197

903

323,000

664,000

4,599,000

0.63%

0.03%

0.02%

The prevalence for local cases residing in dormitories against the population size of this category is 0.63%. 2,031 cases. The prevalence of community cases is 0.02%. 903 cases.

Those staying in dormitories have a higher rate of infection (0.63%) compared to the community at large (0.02%).

Community transmission is low at 0.02% of total population in this community.

The dormitory environment is a real concern. Efforts must be directed to prevent further spread of coronavirus in the dormitories.

Unlinked cases Citizens/PRs LT pass holders Other Local Total Pending investigations

351

438

4

793

Cases pending investigations are 351 for Citizens/Permanent Residents; 438 for Long-term pass holders. Total unlinked cases are 793. This number is large for comfort in that we do not know how they caught Covid-19.

Overall, it is not a pretty picture. Keep up your vigilance and stay safe.

17 April 2020 Coping with Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home Measures Suddenly, we are seeing our family members almost 24/7 since we are staying at home during this period of Circuit Breaker. The barrage of bad news on Covid-19 coronavirus and many posts from our friends on WhatsApp could easily get us down. The threat of extension of Circuit Breaker adds to our worries. We can become irritable and get frustrated easily with minor incidents. Lashing out at our loved ones is easy during this period of being cooped up in our homes.

This is the last thing we want to do and make a relationship uncomfortable with more than two weeks to go in this Circuit Breaker.

So spare a thought for our loved ones and be more accommodating. Accept that things will not be perfect. Say “Thank You” more often. Say: “Thank You for getting Da Bao lunch for us”. Say: “What a good dinner you have prepared”. Appreciate them more because they too are affected by daily bad news of Covid-19, just like me.

21 April 2020 Into Second half of Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home Measures The number of new Covid-19 coronavirus infections reached a new daily high of 1,426 cases on Monday 20 April. Total number of confirmed cases stands at 8,014.

These figures are alarming. Let’s break down this total number 8,014 confirmed cases.

Imported cases = 7.1% Community cases = 12.9% Work Permit holders NOT staying in dormitories = 4.2% Work Permit holders staying in dormitories = 75.8% Work permit holders staying in dormitories confirmed with Covid-19 = 6,075. This number is large. When compared with total population at risk for this category (323,000), the prevalence is 1.9%. With 323,000 potential cases (theoretically) being affected, it would be horrendous to see cases going up in coming days with extensive testing.

The silver lining is that the community cases (Singapore citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and passholders other than work permit holders) = 1,033. Prevalence in this category is 0.02%.

Containment of coronavirus is the key. With foreign workers now confined to their dormitories and work permit holders in the construction sector under Stay-Home Notice for 14 days, these measure would limit the spread of this coronavirus into the community.

The community must keep up with Stay-at-home under Circuit Breaker period in order to break the chain of transmission. The weakest link is when an asymptomatic infected person moves around in the community and infecting others. So we must take safe-distancing measures and stay-at-home regime seriously to stop this coronavirus from jumping from one person to many other persons. Wear a mask is an imperative when one is out of the home. The unlinked cases are not coming down and therefore we hope not to be the one spreading the coronavirus unknowingly.

Let us all play our parts during this difficult period. Two more weeks of this Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home Measures. 加油.

22 April 2020 Extended Circuit Breaker Instead of 4 May, it is now 1 June when the Circuit Breaker hopefully to end. Instead of 4 weeks, it is now 8 weeks to stop Covid-19 coronavirus from taking a hold on Singapore.

I was not expecting an extension to the initial Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home measures. I was not expecting this announcement of extension to come after just 2 weeks into the first Circuit Breaker period.

As I said before, the situation with Covid-19 is so fluid and unpredictable. Measures on social distancing get tighter, like bringing your NRIC when you visit 4 popular and crowded wet markets. Those people with NRIC number ending with odd last digit number can only visit the market on odd dates of the month and ditto for even number NRIC. To say that I am not disappointed with the turn of events is telling a lie. This Covid-19 coronavirus has outwitted the human race. Weaknesses in human behaviours are exploited convincingly by this very contagious virus. It also exposes the crowded living conditions of current dormitories of our foreign workers. Majority of confirmed cases are now from workers staying in dormitories. Soon Singapore (10,141 cases) will be overtaking South Korea (10,694) cases in the number of confirmed cases.

We simply have to soldier on and live each day as it comes. Do not look at the future date of the end. It is 6 weeks away!

25 April 2020 Did I see a glimmer of hope?

The number of confirmed cases for today is 618 (Saturday).

The day before was 897 (Friday).

Thursday’s figure was 1,037.

It had been coming down for two days in a row.

Another indicator is showing signs of improving situation. This indicator is the 7-Day Moving Averages. The 7-Day moving average for Community new cases had moved from the peak and coming down. This community cases are Singaporeans/ Permanent Residents and Long-Term Passholders. (Source: MOH website) If we keep up with our efforts, I hope to see further improvement in the numbers especially for community cases.

I do not want to give false hope, things may change for the worst. Let’s do our bit to keep the numbers down.

27 April 2020 Businesses Not Earning Revenues during Covid-19 Shut-down For a business to survive, it will need to earn revenue from its business operations and manage business costs so as to make a profit. Another aspect for a business to survive is managing cash flow so that business can pay is suppliers, workers and other creditors when debts are due for payment.

During the Circuit Breaker period, that was extended for another month to end 1 June 2020, non-essential businesses are compelled to close their work places in order to combat Covid-19 pandemic. This has resulted in zero sales for most businesses when workers and employers are to stay at homes and not to meet customers or to go to worksites.

Customer sales are the life-blood of any business. Without revenue, business costs keep piling up waiting to be paid.

To reduce the impact on businesses during this Circuit Breaker Period, the government has put in place 3 areas of support: Cash Flow, Cost and Credit. All these relate to cost of running a business. It does not address the revenue part of the business.

The schemes for cutting costs of businesses will not be adequate to cover all costs.

Businesses share in the cost of running a business besides the government support. With near zero revenue, it is challenging to keep a business afloat. That is where governmentsupported financing schemes come into play to tide over the businesses during this period.

It is to be acknowledged that businesses suffer during this Covid-19 pandemic, some businesses more than others. No one wants this pandemic to happen. We have to do our best to beat this coronavirus. The sooner this is over, the sooner for businesses can start operating again and earning revenues. We all have to do our part.

29 April 2020 Something changed with Covid-19 Covid-19 coronavirus was first made public on 31 December 2019 by China to WHO. Singapore had its first confirmed case on 23 January 2020, two days before Chinese New Year. The Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home started on 7 April. We are now into the fourth week of the first Circuit Breaker Period.

For four months into 2020, we spent less. My personal expenses came down 24% when compared with the same period of last year. Family expenditure was down 16.3%. On an overall basis, our spending was less by 18%.

Since 3 April, I have not used public transport because of the circuit breaker measures. It seems unreal that I have not stepped onto a bus or MRT train. I walked to places near my home to buy groceries or to buy take-away meals.

Life for me has changed with Covid-19. We eat at home. I spend less on personal items.

Some other things are on hold, like medical checkups and home repairs. Another four weeks plus of Circuit Breaker. Hope you are coping alright.

4 May 2020 Circuit Breaker stopped community transmission It has been four weeks when the Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home was imposed on 7 April.

Back then the daily new cases on 7 April was 106. Total number of confirmed cases was 1,481. We had no inkling that the work permit holders staying in the dormitories were going to present a huge spike of Covid-19 infections in Singapore. The total confirmed cases ballooned to 18,205 as of 3 May. It would be disastrous if we did not have this mandatory Circuit Breaker stay-at-home measures in place. The work permit holders are confined to their dormitories. The work permit holders and S Pass holders in the construction sectors (not staying in the dormitories) are confined to their homes under the Stay-Home Notices. This way we contained the spread of infections from foreign workers to the community. The infections in the community had come down to an average of 11 cases per day in the past week. The unlinked cases in the community had come down to an average of 5 per day for the past week. This was a significant improvement.

This Circuit Breaker was further extended for another four weeks to end on 1 June. Having gone through four weeks of stay-at-home, have we adjusted to this kind of lives? We will be going through another four weeks of extended circuit breaker.

Because most businesses were shut in April and further closures in May, the impact on Singapore’s economy is going to be unprecedented. First Quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had slumped 2.2% year-on-year basis. On the quarter-on-quarter seasonallyadjusted annualised basis, the economy shrank 10.6% (based on advance estimates).

Second Quarter GDP will be even worse than the first quarter because of the shut-down of most businesses starting April.

Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has done serious damage to the Singapore economy and the global economies, much worse than SARS in 2003. Though we have seen some successes in passing the peaks in the spread of infection rates, it will still take significant amount of time to get global economies up to speed pre-Covid-19.

The sacrifices we made in staying at home during Circuit Breaker period is to firstly keep us from getting Covid-19 coronavirus and secondly to get the economy going again so that people can earn a living. We are in it together to fight this pandemic.

4 May 2020 One month of Stay-at-Home My hair got longer I read borrowed books from NLB on-line Not my preferred choice While my wife and daughter did Yoga I did Taiji in my bedroom We were careful when opening our windows The handle broke the other day You do not want happening Home repairs have to put on hold This was not the only thing broken, sigh When one of us coughed or sneezed Oh no, did we catch it Covid-19?

We measured our temperatures No fever and we could smell!

When I go out to buy take-away lunch Do not forget to wear a mask With the mask I feel like not talking I look down while walking Do not stare at others (or risk assault from this person) I yearn for the outdoors Missing my walk at nature reserves So I appreciate nature from my windows The beautiful sunsets and morning sunrise I become sensitive to sound of birds

I go to my favourite food eateries They smile and thankful They get to cook for us We get to savour their food Food cooked with love I look forward to home-cook dinners We are eating at the table together It has become a ritual My wife cooks And I wash up Sleep another night One day just passed Restful and to refresh Put the worries aside We live another day

7 May 2020 Number of Daily Cases Not coming down for Circuit Breaker to be eased “For Singapore to lift COVID-19 "circuit breaker" measures, the number of community cases daily should fall to zero or single digits over a sustained period of time”, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong in Parliament on Monday (May 4).

“Community cases should ideally fall to zero or single-digits daily, with very low numbers of unlinked cases, not just for one day, but sustained over a period of time." Health Minister Gan Kim Yong.

The number of community cases daily was 13 on 6 May. It is not single digit yet! See table below for last ten days.

Community here refers to Citizens/Permanent Residents/Long Term Pass Holders/Visitors.

Date Community daily cases 27-Apr

18

28-Apr

10

29-Apr

11

30-Apr

9

1-May

11

2-May

6

3-May

13

4-May

5

5-May

12

6-May

13 Today

As for unlinked daily cases, the total was 15 on 6 May. It had been double digits since 5 May. See table below.

Unlinked daily cases Date

Community

Work Permit (not in Dorm)

Total

27-Apr

4

5

9

28-Apr

5

3

8

29-Apr

7

8

15

30-Apr

6

3

9

1-May

6

5

11

2-May

2

4

6

3-May

4

2

6

4-May

3

4

7

5-May

6

4

10

6-May

3

12

15

Looks like it will be a while before we see better results. The Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home measures will be on for some time (until at least 1 June 2020).

We should not let our guards down with this Covid-19 coronavirus.

15 May 2020 Day 39 of Circuit Breaker Period We have been staying 39 days at home under Circuit Breaker (more than 5 weeks). 18 days to go to the end of Circuit Breaker period including today.

The number of daily community cases was below 5 in the past five days.

Date

Community daily cases

1-May

8

2-May

5

3-May

11

4-May

4

5-May

9

6-May

12

7-May

6

8-May

11

9-May

11

10-May

4

11-May

3

12-May

3

13-May

4

14-May

2

Community cases refer to Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, Long-term Pass Holders and Visitors.

For unlinked cases, the table is shown below.

Unlinked daily cases Date

Community

Work Permit (not in Dorm)

Total

1-May

5

2

7

2-May

2

2

4

3-May

2

1

3

4-May

2

3

5

5-May

4

4

8

6-May

3

5

8

7-May

3

5

8

8-May

4

3

7

9-May

2

0

2

10-May

1

1

2

11-May

1

1

2

12-May

2

0

2

13-May

3

0

3

14-May

0

0

0

For the first time, the unlinked cases were Zero yesterday. The unlinked cases remain very low since 9 May (about two each day).

The serious concern is the number of cases of foreign workers staying in dormitories.

23,758 residents were tested positive for Covid-19 as of 14 May. This is 7.36% of the total staying in dormitories (323,000). It was still few hundred cases tested positive each day.

Come 1 June when the Circuit Breaker period ends, we hope to see some easing of social distancing measures put in place since 7 April. Hopefully, Covid-19 infections do not flare up from now to that date.

Continue to be vigilant. Stay Safe.

18 May 2020 Lessons learned from Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic The world has been through nearly five months of Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and it is not the end yet. In Singapore, the first case of Covid-19 patient was reported on 23 January 2020. The Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home restrictions started 7 April with another two weeks to go before we can come out of the Circuit Breaker. Two months of stay-athome will have tremendous impact on the economy and the livelihoods of millions of Singaporeans and foreign workers.

Lesson #1 Singapore is dependent on foreign workers to prop up our economy. Non-resident foreign workforce numbers 1.4 million as at March 2020. The spread of Covid-19 coronavirus is the highest among the work permit holders staying in dormitories. 25,782 confirmed cases or 92% belongs to work permit holders staying in the dormitories (17 May 2020). The close proximity of workers staying in dormitories is the source of the problem. Something has to be done here to prevent future pandemics.

Lesson #2 Personal hygiene is key to prevent spread of contagious virus. Coughing openly in public places without face masks is a recipe of community spread of virus. Employees going to work despite not feeling well have been accepted by firms and organisations. This work culture must stop in the future.

Lesson #3 We see people deferring insurance premium payments and delaying residential mortgage payments to help them out during this period. Having at least six months of expected expenditure in emergency funds (preferably in cash) is key to survive unexpected events such as this Covid-19 pandemic. Do not assume that one can have the stability of employment and therefore borrow to the maximum on this assumption.

Lesson #4 After hearing stories of migrant workers working in Singapore for so little, I am saddened that they suffered the most during this pandemic. These are the people who keep our streets clean and work on construction sites to build Singapore into an envy of other nations. These are the kind of jobs that Singaporeans avoided. But they are the ones keeping our environment liveable with new infrastructures such as new MRT lines.

Lesson #5 Health is more important than wealth. One can have all the luxuries in life, but when one is sick with Covid-19 he/she is just another patient to suffer this dreaded sickness.

I hope to see more soul searching and reflections after we ride over the Covid-19 pandemic storm. Let’s us hope we can learn from these lessons and do something to make us more empathetic and kind to one another.

Stay well!

27 May 2020 Unprecedented Imagine a coronavirus that is not visible to our naked eyes and affected 5,082.661 with deaths at 329,294 globally across 215 countries and territories in five months since the start of 2020, this is mind-blowing. Covid-19 coronavirus is far worse than the SARS in all aspects. It is the not the end of the pandemic yet.

Countries close their borders to prevent people arriving and infecting their citizens. The lockdowns instituted by many countries, where people are restricted from leaving their homes, is the first of its kind in combating this very infectious coronavirus. The extent of losses to the global economies is unthinkable because of shutdowns of businesses and movement of goods cross borders is disrupted. Tourism and travel industry are major casualties in this pandemic.

In Singapore, a partial lockdown termed as Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home started on 7 April and it is slated to end 1 June (8 weeks in total). But not all things get back to normal. There are three phases for easing of lockdown.

The government has planned a total budget S$59.9 billion to fight Covid-19, to save lives and protect livelihood of people, ie via Unity Budget, Resilience Budget and Solidarity Budget. This gigantic amount resulted in Singapore dipping into accumulated past reserves to the tune of S$21 billion. There will be a fourth supplementary budget to be announced on Tuesday 26 May*.

Because of this Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home, work from home and home-based learning become a norm. People have a steep learning curve to harness IT technology to do that and to communicate with one another remotely. Social media such as WhatsApp and video conferencing applications such as Zoom become everyday tools to cope with Stayat-Home restrictions.

Covid-19 coronavirus without a brain wrecks havoc to the human race. It brings to the fore how ill-prepared we are in stopping the spread of the virus globally. It highlights the poor living conditions of human beings in some countries; how human beings have been polluting this earth with their bad habits and modern living; how unkind some politicians can be in their behaviours towards others.

Besides economic damage, physical health and mental health are impacted by Covid-19.

It seems that this pandemic is negative through and through. This is not so. Out of this crisis, I see also kindness and compassion among people. I see how these people help one another to cope with it. I learn to treasure my loved ones even more (when we are not able to visit each other). I met some people delivering parcels late in the evening to my doorsteps, all masked up! We got what we needed since most retail shops are not allowed to open because of the Circuit Breaker. I find that friends were sharing nice stories to lift my spirit, whether it were on Facebook or WhatsApp. We are in this together. We look out for each other. Take care! * 26 May 2020 on Budgets to fight Covid-19 The government has planned a total budget S$92.9 billion to fight Covid-19, to save lives and protect livelihood of people, ie via Unity Budget, Resilience Budget, Solidarity Budget and Fortitude Budget. This gigantic amount resulted in Singapore dipping into accumulated past reserves to the tune of S$52 billion.

28 May 2020 Day 52 of Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home We are into Week 8 of stay-at-home.

I have not taken any public transport and I walked around my neighbourhood only to buy take-away food and groceries. Each time when I left my home, I kept reminding myself to wear a face mask.

This is the new routine. What else have changed?

- I stop wearing wrist watch. Wrist watch is a hindrance when washing my hand.

- I wash my hands thoroughly when I reach home using the seven-steps method.

- We cannot get our cheap toiletries (via parallel imports) from neighbourhood shops.

Gone are the days, we went down to Peoples’ Park for cheap toiletries.

- We made more on-line purchases for delivery to our home.

- We take care of our health more, so that we need not go to our family doctor.

- Same goes with our oral-health hygiene, so that we need not go to our dentist.

- We hope not to damage things at home so we are more careful when handling them.

Getting repairs or buying new ones to replace is a pain.

- Friends on WhatsApp have been very active in sharing posts.

- I read more e-books borrowed from NLB.

31 May 2020 Ordinary Singaporeans and residents in it together I am glad that someone wrote about ordinary Singaporeans and every resident in the Covid-19 coronavirus fight. When I read Jeremy Au Yong’s Thinking Aloud piece in The Sunday Times titled “Everyone is a Covid-19 Circuit Breaker” this morning, it felt real good deep in my heart.

Much praise and acknowledgments has been heaped on the front-line health care personnel and all other people assisting. They deserve it and we thank them. The fight against Covid-19 coronavirus is not just them and the government policy makers alone.

The whole nation is in it together. More than 5 million citizens, permanent residents, pass and work permit holders have helped.

By staying at home during nearly 8 weeks of Circuit Breaker period and to follow all rules and restrictions is not a walk in a park. Most of us did our utmost to prevent community spread of coronavirus. We know how serious this coronavirus pandemic is to our lives. It has already caused hardship to everyone.

We live each day in a new way. Wearing face masks when we are out of our homes is a visible different. It reminds us that the fight is not over. We have to look out for each other to keep everyone safe whether family or strangers.

Keep up the fight and be vigilant.

3 June 2020 Where are we now?

2 June, we exited from Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home measures to Phase 1 of Safe Opening up of Singapore economy. 75% of the economy opens in this phase. Schools reopen too and students are going back to classrooms.

Covid-19 coronavirus infected 35,836 persons making up 0.63% of total population of Singapore. Of this 93.6% are from work permit workers staying in the dormitories. The prevalence rate of this work permit workers was 10.39% of total 323,000. Singapore has flattened the infection curve for these migrant workers but we were still seeing nearly 500 infections on average everyday for past seven days.

The good news was that infection at the community level was 4 each day on average for past seven days. There is much optimism in Singapore. The Straits Times Index (STI) rose 2.38% to 2,611.63 points on 2 June. It is now up 2.03% at 2,664.58 points (10.57 am 3 June).

Buses and MRT trains are back to normal frequencies. Alternate sitting leaving gaps in between seats is longer in force on public transport. It is not practical to institute this. The only protection is that all commuters must wear face masks when riding in buses and MRT trains.

People are not moving around much. The retail sector is not open yet. We cannot dine in eating outlets. Group activities are not allowed like activities in community clubs. Places of worship cannot have congregations except for private worship. The fear of second wave of Covid-19 infections is real and present.

Restrictions on overseas travel are not lifted. We are far from pre-pandemic days. People are resigned to the fact that it will be a long while before lives can get back to normal. Is there one? I asked.

The economic impact on employment has not been fully realised. We will not know until a few months down the road after Singapore economy fully opens.

Until such time, hold tight and stay sane.

7 June 2020 Covid-19 Fatigue I have stopped looking at numbers - number of infections, number of deaths resulting from Covid-19 coronavirus. I am numb to these numbers. Since Chinese New Year, more than 5 months have passed. I am just tired at no end in sight from Covid-19 pandemic.

For the record, the statistics are: Global total confirmed cases: 6,973,243 Total deaths: 402,047 (Source: Worldometer dated 7 June 9.45 am) Singapore total confirmed cases: 37,527 Total deaths: 25 Singapore ranks 29 on the list of countries impacted.

The world had nearly 7 million people infected and 400,000 deaths from Covid-19.

Singapore number is climbing each day by an average of 450 a day.

Community cases 1,729 Dormitory resident cases 35,218 The world is not going to view Singapore that Singapore has been able to keep the community cases to a low at 1,729. It would look at the final figure of 37,527 cases and this is alarming for a small nation of 5.7 million people when compared with bigger countries.

Numbers aside, human tragedies are not to be trivialised. Every infection and every death resulting from Covid-19 coronavirus is heartbreaking for the living related to the person. If one were not infected, the inconveniences of the restrictions of social distancing measures appear to be a pain. Let’s spare a thought and keep up with the restrictions so that all can remain safe.

I protect you and you protect me.

8 June 2020 Any opening up of economy is good news Since the Circuit Breaker (CB) period was lifted on 2 June with Phase 1 of Opening up, the Straits Times Index (STI) has been going up.

Date

STI

Change (%) Remarks

Change (%)

29-May-20

2,510.75

-

-

1-Jun

2,550.86

1.60%

CB ended

2-Jun

2,611.63

2.38%

Start of Phase 1

3-Jun

2,700.39

3.40%

4-Jun

2,707.20

0.25%

5-Jun

2,751.50

1.64%

8-Jun *

2,788.17

1.33%

11.05%

* 8 June 2.27 pm

From end of May to now, the STI was up 11.05% in matter of 6 trading sessions.

This is impressive. The investing community is hungry for any kind of news on opening up the economy. The results just show. Never mind about parts of the economy are still restricted from opening up.

12 June 2020 Sadness Do you feel this sadness?

I do It creeps up on me Without realising it It got triggered When I walked pass shuttered shops people with head lowered with so much on their minds Knowing that more people Will be out of jobs With broken dreams Trying to get back to normal Then I read This single mum in Philippine Died because of Covid While waiting five days for bus ride to her home Human tragedy brings sadness To my heart Knowing that even more suffered Without any mention of their plights Do I see positivity?

Suffering and grief are always with us With this human life, sadness is always present Note it and open my heart to them

23 June 2020 Phase 2 of Reopening the Economy starts 19 June 2020 10 weeks or 70 days today of mostly stay at home, Phase 2 of reopening of Singapore economy is slated to start this Friday 19 June. Dine-in in F&B outlets/hawker centres and retail shops are finally allowed to operate again. This phase came sooner than I expected.

Social gatherings of up to 5 persons are allowed. Parks, beaches, swimming pools, sports facilities will be open too. This will be visibly different from Circuit Breaker and Phase 1 periods. There is one constant. We still have to wear our face masks and to maintain 1metre safe distancing while we out and about.

Covid-19 coronavirus is not DEAD yet. It is around us and countries are still closing their physical borders to prevent import of this coronavirus into the country. There are flare-ups of infections in some countries as we speak.

Seniors who are above 60 years are more vulnerable to succumbing to complications from this infection. So we have to remain socially responsible to prevent the spreading of Covid-19 to them. They are not like young people who can fight the infection well.

So as more contacts between person-to-person are inevitable in Phase 2, let’s remember that this is not about me alone. It also about the community whom we associate with. Keep up with personal hygiene and keep ourselves safe from Covid-19. This will help to limit transmission rate in the community and also more importantly within our homes.

Keep Safe and Enjoy the freedom that comes with Phase 2 but with an Awareness of the environment we are in. Covid-19 coronavirus is not eradicated yet!

27 June 2020 Economic Impact of Covid-19 felt keenly Yesterday, I walked past two HDB shops in my neighbourhood. One is 7-Eleven Convenience shop and the other is Dream Café at Block 163 Toa Payoh. They were next to each other. One common thing about them was that these shops decided to close their businesses. I frequented 7-Eleven often and occasionally patronised at Dream Café.

It saddened me when I saw all empty white steel shelves in 7-Eleven and a dismantled shop of Dream Café. This is closer to home and more impactful than when I saw more shops in Toa Payoh Mall offering for rent.

Retail outlets are shuttering for good and I believe this was exacerbated because of the economic impact of Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. You will never know what retail shop owners are going through to keep themselves in business. The cash flow and loss of revenue because of Circuit Breaker lockdown are simply bad for retail business. Sure there are rental rebates, Job Support Scheme, loan schemes, but without revenue business cannot survive for long.

Even with the opening up of the economy for these retail businesses, people are unwilling to spend. They rather save up because their take-home pays are cut or in case they are retrenched.

Headline news is broad brush of a bad situation. Numbers touted are mere statistical numbers at a high level. It means nothing until one is hit by Covid-19. Then it becomes personal.

28 June 2020 More community cases in recent days Do not think that it is now safe to socialise freely and to walk around in crowded places during Phase 2 Reopening.

Recent days of community cases had seen a spike: 24 June 2020 - 7 cases 25 June 2020 - 5 cases 26 June 2020 - 6 cases 27 June 2020 - 11 cases 28 June 2020 - 11 cases Covid-19 coronavirus is still around us.

The Straits Times reporter Clara Chong took us through the risks of Covid-19 (24 June 2020). Her sources for her report came from Assoc Prof Alex Cook, Vice-Dean of Research at the NUS’ School of Public Health.

The factors which heighten risk are: 1. Closed spaces 2. Close contact settings with close-range communication 3. Crowded spaces 4. Duration and diversity of contacts The risks get heightened further when all 4 factors are present.

It is poignant to note that social gatherings can be a source of concern. Take an example: You invite and meet 5 relatives from different families in your home for tea. Then you invite another 5 old school friends for catch-up. If you were infected with Covid-19, you have put 10 other households at risk. The number can multiply to 30 households two transmission cycles later. There is a real risk of a super-spreader event where one person infects a large number of others. (Source: Clara Chong)

It is far better to limit going out of your home and also to limit social gatherings for the time being. If you have to, then take all necessary precautions to reduce the risk of catching Covid-19. Avoid crowded places as far as possible.

This is serious matter for the sake of our wellbeing and for other people’s wellbeing.

6 July 2020 I spent less during Covid-19 2020 is an extraordinary year. It is a year of Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 started at the beginning of 2020.

We were told to stay-at-home during two months of Circuit Breaker and Extended Circuit Breaker period from 7 April. Retail shops were closed up to 19 June when Phase 2 of Reopening started.

Countries started to close their borders for international travel between countries. This happened in March until now. Tourist travel came to a halt because of the pandemic.

As a consequence, I expected personal spending would be reduced when compared to previous years. As I looked at the half year to 30 June spending between this year and last year, the results are below.

Personal spending was less by 23.2%. Family spending was less by 30.0% Though we can still buy things on-line, we spent less unless the thing was essential. We stopped buying things on impulse. We made do with whatever we had in the home. It is a good thing to live with less spending.

12 July 2020 Three weeks into Phase 2 of Reopening Phase 2 or Reopening of Singapore economy started on 19 June 2020. Three weeks had passed. We are into fourth week and how is the situation with Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic?

Total cases were 45,783 Death number was 26 Prevalence rate of residents in dormitories was 13.35%.

Prevalence rate for whole of Singapore was 0.80%.

What is more worrying is the gradual pickup in community cases. The unlinked community cases were a source of concern.

Date

Community cases

Unlinked Cases

5-Jul

18

9

6-Jul

23

9

7-Jul

19

8

8-Jul

9

6

9-Jul

21

12

10-Jul

16

8

11-Jul

24

13

Yesterday data was the worst so far. Cases in the community: 24 (7 Singaporeans, 6 Work Pass holders, 11 Work Permit holders). The work permit holders comprised 11 persons.

Work Pass holders comprised 6 persons. 7 are Singaporeans.

If this trend were to continue, community cases must be addressed urgently. We should not think that Covid-19 is no longer a threat. The social distancing measures, such as no more than 5 in a group, must be taken seriously. I came back from Toa Payoh Park just now.

There were too many foreign domestic helpers squeezed in a shelter in the park (partly because of the rain in the morning.)

I think all must play a part to be socially responsible, whether foreigners or Singaporeans.

The best way to stay safe is to stay away from crowded places. Home is still the best.

12 July 2020 Crowd is back 73 days of Stay-at-Home since the Circuit Breaker started on 7 April 2020. That is nearly two-and-a-half months. I had not taken a bus or MRT train since 7 April.

Phase 2 of reopening of Singapore economy starts today, Friday 19 June. Dine-in in F&B outlets/hawker centres and retail shops are finally allowed to operate again. Social gatherings of up to 5 persons are allowed. Parks, beaches, swimming pools, sports facilities are open too.

I took a bus this morning. I had a weird feeling somewhat surreal of sitting in a bus after a long while. There were passengers but not packed on Bus number 145 from Toa Payoh Bus Interchange during morning off peak hour. I felt that there were more people on the bus today. (Other days, buses were less crowded from street view.)

We decided to eat lunch at Heritage Foodcourt in the basement of Raffles Hospital. We did not do a sit-in meal at eateries/hawker centre until today. This foodcourt was pretty quiet.

There was a group of 5 seniors sitting round a table. This is allowed under Phase 2. But one more senior joined at this table later making it 6 guys at the table. Not long, a staff member came along and told them of the rule. One reluctantly moved to the next table.

Well a little excitement in this quiet environment.

I came back to Toa Payoh Hub. My goodness, are we back to normal so fast? The place was full of people and retail shops were mostly open today. The only visible difference was that all people were wearing face masks. People kept a safe distance from one another. I still feel uncomfortable with so many people around. I just did my errands and got out as soon I could.

People have been cooped up at homes because of Covid-19 stay-at-home measures. The feeling of freedom at last must be wonderful. Not complete freedom though like the prepandemic days. We have to adjust to new ways of lives. In this regard, we have to stay safe and avoid crowds as far as possible. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Take care and stay sharp!

15 July 2020 This pandemic is not going away This pandemic is not going away People are concerned Some businesses have collapsed This pandemic is not going away People are worried Jobs are not secure This pandemic is not going away People are frightened Death occurs for some This pandemic is not going away People are anxious Community infection continuing unabated This pandemic is not going away People are downcast Social distancing is still in place This pandemic is not going away People are delusional No one is immune to Covid-19 This pandemic is not going away People are angry Not all are following health guidelines This pandemic is not going away People are apprehensive Digital way of life is not for all

18 July 2020 The New Normal When I … ~ step out of my home, remember to put on a face mask. ~ visit a shopping mall, present my head for temperature check. ~ get into a shop, scan QR code for SafeEntry. ~ get onto a bus, watch out for passenger who cough with the mask off. ~ walk in crowded thoroughfare, avoid brushing against others. ~ want to get to destination, take the route with least people around. ~ queue in a line, maintain one-metre from the one in front. ~ want to buy something, choose a time when there is less crowd. ~ need to repair something, ask whether I can do it myself or live with it. ~ read news about Covid-19, find out how serious is Singapore’s situation.

21 July 2020 How are you coping?

We have not met for a while How are you?

How long was it?

Several months already …

We still keeping our distance How is your health?

Are you eating well?

Emotional up and down …

I dare not ask How is your work?

Do you still have your job?

Bad job market …

I will not ask How are your finances?

Are your investments doing well?

Too many sad stories …

We have a common enemy When will Covid-19 end?

When can we have our freedom?

To breathe freely …

We had to vote in the election Can you feel the frustrations?

Have you seen this WhatsApp post?

More anger then balm …

I would like to ask When can we meet again?

For lunch or tea?

To keep our relationship intact …

27 July 2020 Covid-19 cases crossed 50,000 confirmed cases Singapore reached 50,369 confirmed cases on 26 July. Singapore was ranked 42 out of 213 countries/territories in terms of number of infections. (Source: Worldometers) Total cases were 50,369 Death number was 27 Residents of Dormitories were 47,533 (94.4%) Community cases were 2,165 (4.3%) Imported cases were 671 (1.3%) Prevalence rate of residents in dormitories was 14.72%.

Prevalence rate for whole of Singapore was 0.88%.

The good news is that the number of community cases was coming down.

The cases for residents in dormitories however were still climbing. Same went for imported cases.

As for global situation, it was not letting up. The number of confirmed cases now stands at 16.4 million with deaths at 651,674.

29 July 2020 Thoughts on Covid-19 It has been six months since the first case of Covid-19 coronavirus patient was reported on 23 January 2020 in Singapore. This half-year of 2020 passed by in a blur.

It is as if I am still in a deep dream and not waking up yet. It is as if six months did not happen.

It is a massive disruption to our lives that we are accustomed to in the past.

-Reduced social gatherings -Stopped most religious activities -Fear of contacts with others -All wearing masks outside their homes -Keeping a safe distance of one metre from another person -New ways of working remotely from offices or educational establishments -Less income or worst still, loss of employment -Psychological impact on our wellbeing

Covid-19 pandemic is a whole of world problem. As long the coronavirus continues to plague a single country, there is no respite since the world is so inter-connected physically.

There is no physical barrier for this very contagious coronavirus. Borders cannot be opened for travellers to move freely until the world has found a cure or vaccine for it.

The best approach is to live with it and adjust to this massive disruption. Keep safe and do not take unnecessary risks in the months and years ahead. Do not be a social butterfly to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in the community. Protect yourselves and protect others.

23 August 2020 When will it end?

The last time we were on a nature reserve walk was on 25 March 2020. We walked the MacRitchie Nature Trail. Then Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home was imposed for 2 months from 7 April. We stopped going to nature reserves for 5 months, preferring to walk at nearby park because of COVID-19. It has been a long time not walking nature reserves.

The reason for this is because of Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. We were trying to stay at home more than going out. We avoided taking public transports as much as possible.

Going to nature reserves requires us to take public buses. Avoidance of crowded places like the buses is our way to heed the advice of experts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

In March when we went for our last walk at nature trail, wearing face masks was not mandatory. From April 15, it became mandatory when we leave our homes or risk a fine of $300 for the first offence. Wearing face mask is not comfortable but it was necessary for containment and not spreading the virus to other people. Walking long distances with face masks affects oxygen flow into our brains.

Have we gotten used to the new way of life as a result of Covid-19? Such as avoiding crowds, wearing face masks, reducing contacts with people we know (including our close relations).

I feel like I am in isolation. We cannot travel to far away places to get away once in a while.

International travel has been curtailed. Mental well being of some people are affected because people are told to work from home rather than in the office by default. Even worst, people were retrenched. This is a bigger problem besides being infected with Covid-19.

When will it end?

31 August 2020 Covid-19 taught me Human life is fragile.

We could die from Covid-19.

Skin colour, religion and age do not matter.

Covid-19 does not discriminate.

Some people can be selfish.

They do not care for others.

Some people are selfless.

They help others to cope with Covid-19.

Political leaders are of two types.

One who cares for lives and one does not.

Rich and poor are poles apart.

Poor living conditions increases infection rate.

Not all people follow rules.

Some people do not wear masks properly.

People react differently.

Some withdraw while some get on with lives.

When people are tolerant it helps.

It can alleviate anxieties among others.

20 September 2020 Hardship felt among people Covid-19 pandemic not only affects health of an infected individual. People are fearful of losing their jobs. 11,350 people were retrenched in the first half of this year. This kind of fear can cause mental stress. Whether a worker is a foreigner or a citizen, they felt similar kind of anguish of losing a job. Some have families and some have financial commitments.

One never knows how it is like to be in this situation unless the person is the one retrenched.

My heart goes to all people in this difficult environment during this horrendous time.

During this time of hardship, spare a thought for everyone and not forgetting yourself.

Be kind.

8 October 2020 Time compressed This is already October.

I felt that this year passed me by like a blur. It is like a Pause button being pressed.

I went to Singapore Botanic Gardens on Monday, my first after 8 months! I did not feel that it was that long ago. 8 months just whisked by just like that. It was like yesterday I had been to Singapore Botanic Gardens. Nothing’s changed.

Is it time to wake up?

15 October 2020 Mind matters It has been a period of mental stress Covid-19 cases resurgence Personal health concerns The ugliness of US politics No ends in sight Global economies battled Financial assets dwindled Trying to keep afloat Reduced social interactions Adding to the woes Usual activities put on hold There is no release from stress Our mind is bombarded With negativities With less hope For a quick release No wonder one feels sad In this environment The daily slew of bad news Did not help

25 October 2020 Where is the Sales Revenue?

I walked past Sim Siang Choon Building along Balestier Road yesterday. The shop at the corner of Sim Siang Choon Building that sells car audio equipment - Audiophile Sound Craft – was empty. The familiar audio shop was gone, to my surprise. The shop had been there for as long I can remember. It is really sad.

I guess Audiophile Sound Craft is a casualty of Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic that ravages many small shop businesses. The retail brick-and-mortar shops are having a hard time with many people cutting back on spending during this crisis. Look around your neighbourhood and you will find shops for rent or for sale.

Despite the support on wages by the government and rental waivers and rebates, these businesses cannot survive on a longer-term basis. The cost part of the Income Statement could be reduced but without sales revenue there is no way of holding on to the business.

They will be bleeding cash everyday without an end to Covid-19.

This is reality. When you are a shop owner, most of you will be worrying about sales.

People are tightening their belts to ride over this pandemic. They will be buying less on non-essential goods.

We read and hear information at a macro level in the news. We do not feel as much as those business owners who face survival each day. The economic gloom is stifling. This is what it means to be in economic recession (forecast contraction of 7.0% to 5.0% for this year). Talk to any taxi driver. I can guarantee that they will tell you that they had fewer passengers these days.

29 October 2020 With sadness and not believing The last time we had been to Changi Airport was in January this year. Since then we had not stepped inside because of Covid-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, we took a bus there. We did it because there was going to be a major water disruption at our home from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. So we decided to stay out of our home during this time. We took buses to explore the East. First stop was Our Tampines Hub where the Tampines Regional Library is located. Final stop was to go to The Jewel@Changi Airport.

While we were cruising on a bus to Changi Airport via PIE expressway, we noticed many Scoot and SIA airplanes parked at the airport, permanently grounded instead of taking to the sky. It was a sad sight. It still hit us hard seeing with our own eyes on location, though we had seen such scenes in the news.

The world has seen something like 59% to 62% reduction in air passengers compared to 2019. SIA passenger carriage load was down 98% in August. Covid-19 pandemic has destroyed air travel as we knew it in the past.

7 November 2020 November 2020 This is November Two months to end of 2020 For most part I do not know you You are not like the past The world quivered From invisible threat of Covid I live with anxieties Any celebratory mood Fade away As you draw to a close I miss the delightful anticipation You have a hold on us A dampener of spirit Social interactions is reduced I am subdued You are not forever It has to come to an end Human beings are not broken I shall move on

27 November 2020 What a Year!

When 2020 started, we were oblivious of what was in store for us. We were welcoming the Year of Rat in January. There were hopes for a New Year leaving behind 2019. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for 2019 was not particularly exciting. Singapore just managed a low growth rate of just 0.7%.

We managed to place a few S$ fixed deposits (FD) with OCBC and DBS at the beginning of 2020 with interest rates of 1.45% to 1.65% per annum. Now the FD rates for one-year tenor with OCBC is mere 0.10% per annum.

The economy collapsed and it was forecasted that Singapore’s GDP for the whole year would be between -6 to -6.5%. This is a severe recession we have not seen before since the Independence of Singapore in 1965.

The reason for this downward spiral of the economy: Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The nation of workers feel the pain of this recession with pay cuts, wage freeze, lost jobs and retrenchment. Nothing can be more stressful than someone losing his/her job and to worry about paying off debts and daily necessities.

Our lives have turned topsy turvy by Covid-19. 2020 is the Year of Covid-19, lockdowns and closures of geographical borders. It is hardly time to be in celebratory mood nearing Christmas and the end of the year.

The silver lining is that it is looking up with the possibility of vaccines to prevent contracting Covid-19. There is hope.

13 December 2020 How my life has changed during Covid-19 year?

This is December.

At the start of 2020, we were celebrating the start of a new decade starting 1 January 2020. We were full of hopes that we would have a better decade than the previous one.

Covid-19 pandemic destroyed all that. At the initial stage, I was still thinking wishfully that Covid-19 coronavirus would just go away in a few months just like SARS in 2003. But no, it has become an invisible virus that the whole world is still trying to get it under control.

To stop this spread of the virus, we have to keep a safe distance from each other and reduce social contacts. This goes against our normal behaviour of the past. Our lives are disrupted in a very significant way.

As for me, what have changed?

Like most people, our religious activities and festivals were curtailed. We could not go to Taiwan this year for our annual meditation retreat. What is a good thing is that we now sit for one hour of meditation every night at home. This brought calm into our lives during this unsettling time.

We eat dinners at home almost all the time. It is home-cooked meals in order to reduce contacts with people.

We stop going for our nature walks at nature reserves for the same reason. Instead we walked in parks and gardens where there are more open spaces to accommodate more people around.

We could not meet my brothers and sister with their spouses for birthday meals. There is still restriction in the number of people can gather together (five at the moment).

My wife and I count ourselves lucky because we did not have to go through work-fromhome stress since we are both retired. I could imagine this kind of stress like on-line Zoom.

At the end of the day, we do our parts to be socially responsible in the face of Covid-19.

We do not want to add to the problem and want to keep the virus at bay. Looking back,

our lives have not been all that bad. We have adapted and changed our lifestyles to cope with Covid-19.

19 December 2020 New Year is coming Two weeks to New Year 2021. Countdown has started for me.

2020 has been a horrid year with Covid-19 pandemic impacting our lives. Could we look past it and start 2021 with hope of a better year?

The negatives include: 1. More infection cases of Covid-19 are still happening in most countries. The number of coronavirus cases globally topped 75.9 million. Number of deaths was 1.68 million people (Worldometer 19 December 00.57 GMT) 2. The International Monetary Fund projected a global contraction of -4.4% in GDP growth for the whole of 2020. (IMF October Report).

3. Singapore economy is forecasted to contract between 6.0% and 6.5%. (Source: MTI) Bonuses are being cut or frozen. This affects many businesses from retail sales to food & beverage sector.

4. The job outlook in Singapore still looks grim. Number of retrenched employees rose to 9,120 for Quarter 3. (Q2 was 8,130 retrenched employees) Unemployment rate for Singapore citizens was 4.9% based on October numbers. Ratio of job vacancies to unemployed persons was 0.6 for September. (6 jobs for 10 unemployed) This means a shortfall of job vacancies.

The positives include: 1. Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out in some countries to inoculate people against the virus.

2. Joe Biden is the President-elect to replace Donald Trump in 2021.

3. The world has now the experience to tackle Covid-19. The community cases are low in Singapore.

Now my wishes for 2021: 1. The problem with Covid-19 pandemic is reduced with the vaccination programme.

2. With extreme weather conditions around the world from forest-fires to stormy weathers, politicians and the people can come together to bring climate change under control.

3. Politicians and people in public services can be more transparent and honest with information dissemination to the public. Half-truths and selective reporting are killers of openness and trust.

4. People can adhere to recommendations of acceptable behaviours when confronting Covid-19 (especially social distancing). Everyone has to play his/her part in order for a good community outcome. Our health is in the hands of others too.

5. People can be kind and considerate towards others. This can result in better living conditions for everyone.

6. The global superpowers can stop imposing on each other with punitive measures such as trade restrictions and political supremacy posturing.

I wish to live in a kinder world without fear of conflicts leading to wars. I wish that we could take care of this Earth. Properties and lives can be lost if we do not.

Stay well and love yourself and others (including all living things). We are all connected to maintain the ecological balance of this Earth.

27 December 2020 Covid-19 Commentaries Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic grips the world since the start of this year. It continues to rage on in most countries especially during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere. It is not letting up. There are now 80.6 million infected persons globally with 1.7 million deaths. (Worldometer, 27 December 2020) One thing I note most is that the virus affects anyone regardless of status in life. The rich, the powerful, the world leaders, the arrogant persons, and known personalities have been infected just like the ordinary citizens and the poor. It is blind to your station in life.

The more people take risks by not wearing face masks and not to social distance themselves, the more the spread of this dreaded virus. Everyone is critical in this fight to eradicate the virus.

Singapore is fortunate in the battle. The community transmission of Covid-19 has been low or zero while other countries are seeing a surge. With Phase 3 of reopening starting tomorrow (28 December), gatherings of up to 8 persons will be allowed. This is a reward for us doing our parts. We should appreciate each one of us in order to come to this stage.

It was painful emotionally and very inconvenient for everyone.

I hope 2021 will be better.

31 December 2020 Looking back at 2020 2020 was a year when the whole world was impacted by Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Covid-19 originated from Wuhan city of China and surfaced at the end of 2019. The global panic started when it was confirmed that human-to-human transmission had taken place.

Every nation was fighting to contain this virulent coronavirus spreading like wild fire. At the time of writing, there were 83 million confirmed cases and 1.81 million deaths resulting from Covid-19. The race to find a cure and vaccine began in earnest globally. Lockdowns with closures of borders were instituted by countries trying to stop the spread of this virus.

Travel and tourism were disrupted. Global economies went into recession. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected a global contraction of -4.4% in GDP growth for the whole of 2020. (IMF October Report) Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home Measures Singapore mandated a lockdown for the whole nation for two months from 7 April to 1 June. The government called it Circuit Breaker. Suddenly, toilet papers became hot property and there was a run on supermarkets. People formed long queues to pay for groceries at checkout counters when Singapore raised the Dorscon Level to Orange.

Most physical work places were closed and construction sites went quiet during “Circuit Breaker”. The CBD area became a ghost town with workers not going into offices. Fewer cars were on the road and ERP was suspended. People were not allowed to eat at hawker centres but instead they packed cooked food to go.

Lives disrupted Everyone had to wear face mask. It became an offence not to do so with a fine of $300 for the first offence. Social distancing became the norm. It meant that we had to keep a safe distance of one metre from each other. Social interaction was reduced considerably to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

This was a difficult period of adjustment. Never in my life have I seen this happening. Year 2020 went past in a blur for me. Many activities and festivals were curtailed or eliminated altogether. It was like waking up and we had moved on with lost time.

Visit to Yogyakarta (Jogja) from 14 to 21 January 2020 My family was lucky to travel out for a short holiday before Covid-19 struck in late January.

Yogyakarta (Jogja in short) is in Central Java. We visited UNESCO Heritage sites like Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple. The temples are ancient (some built in the 8th and 9th centuries) and truly breath-taking. Both Hindu temples and Buddhist temples coexisted many centuries ago. We went to Yogyakarta mainly to visit the Borobudur Temple.

This had been our long-term plan to visit them.

Health Scare I had two health scare in the year.

With one, I was sent to Singapore General Hospital A&E in an ambulance on 2 July. I had an accident when I walked straight into the locked door of our toilet in the wee morning before 4.00 am. I thought I had a head concussion with elevated heartbeats. It turned out all right with no serious problem and was discharged after seeing the doctor.

The second was to do with my eye. My ophthalmologist (eye medical doctor) found that there were changes to the macular (responsible for central vision) of my right eye. My right eye is my only good eye. There is a layer of membrane over this macular that can impede clear sight. For the moment, no action is required except that I am to monitor and report when my vision has deteriorated.

STI lost ground in 2020 The Straits Times Index (STI) lost 31.9% between 17 January and 23 March (highest and the lowest for the year). The lowest on 23 March was 2,233.48 points. STI then hovered around 2,500 points in the next six months. November came and the STI shot up 15.8% to end at 2,805.95 points. At the end of 2020, the STI was 2,843.81 points. On a year-to-date basis, the STI was still down, but by a smaller percentage of minus 11.7%.

Date

STI

Change (%)

31-Dec-19

3,222.83 NA

31-Jan-20

3,153.73

-2.1%

28-Feb-20

3,011.08

-4.5%

31-Mar-20

2,481.23

-17.6%

30-Apr-20

2,624.23

5.8%

29-May-20

2,510.75

-4.3%

30-Jun-20

2,589.91

3.2%

30-Jul-20

2,529.82

-2.3%

31-Aug-20

2,532.51

0.1%

30-Sep-20

2,466.62

-2.6%

30-Oct-20

2,423.84

-1.7%

30-Nov-20

2,805.95

15.8%

31-Dec-20

2,843.81

1.3%

Reflections When 2020 started, we were oblivious of what was in store for us. We were welcoming the Year of Rat in January. There were hopes for a New Year leaving behind 2019. Then Covid-19 exploded round the globe. The economy collapsed and it was forecasted that Singapore’s GDP for the whole year would be between -6 to -6.5%. This is a severe recession we have not seen before since the Independence of Singapore in 1965.

Our lives have turned topsy turvy by Covid-19. 2020 is the Year of Covid-19, lockdowns and closures of geographical borders. Many activities and festivals were stopped starting with Qing Ming festival. We stopped having social gatherings that involved my brothers and sister. Social distancing was the order of the days in 2020.

I hope for a better 2021 with vaccination against Covid-19 in place for the whole world.

Meanwhile, keep safe and Happy New Year!

18 January 2021 Socially Responsible Things to Do Covid-19 infections are still surging round the globe. In Singapore, there are local transmission (community) cases in recent days. Even when we are starting to roll out vaccinations for Covid-19, it will not be fast enough to vaccinate till we get herd immunity.

So in the meantime we have to be cautious.

The advice of NOT to be a social butterfly is still relevant and important. The worse case scenario is when I get the virus, my close contacts will have to be quarantined. It will be even worst when one of us died as a result. That bit of conscience will stay with me for a long time.

For this Chinese New Year, my eldest brother had suggested that we do not visit his home like we always did in the past. I agreed with him. We have also decided not to visit my wife’s aunt, which is going to be a break from tradition. Elderly persons are at higher risk of succumbing to Covid-19. It is the right thing to do.

There will be other ways of connecting with them. We are hopeful that when Covid-19 is under control, we will meet up in the future.

The reason for limiting number of people can come together for social gatherings in Phase 3 of Re-opening is precisely to limit the spread of the virus in the community. The less we meet for social occasions the better. It is not that we are anti-social. It is more of protecting our friends and relatives.

Stay Well.

26 February 2021 This Chinese New Year We did not have Lo Hei, the tradition of tossing of salad and Yu Sheng during the Chinese New Year (CNY). This is a major break of past years when we had Yu Sheng every year, sometimes several times in a year. Lo Hei (in Cantonese) is to bring lucks and fortunes in the coming year. Because of Covid-19, we just did not do it because of the restrictions of tossing without the auspicious sayings that go along with the setting up and tossing. We have to wear gloves to avoid contamination of the dish.

The mood at this CNY was subdued. I do not feel the festivities that go with each CNY. We did not get together in extended family for reunion dinner/lunch because gathering is only allowed up to eight persons. I did not visit my siblings and relatives for they belong to the vulnerable group to Covid-19.

As the Chinese New Year is drawing to the close today (Fifteenth day of First Lunar Month), I wish all of you happiness and good health! May the world get back to pre-pandemic normal sooner.

10 March 2021 Covid-19 Now One year ago on 11 March 2020, WHO declared Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic. Back then, total number of cases was 120,000 in 114 countries. Now the total number of cases is 118,190,663 (118.1 million). It is about 1,000 times from a year ago.

(Source: Worldometer) The good news is that the total daily cases peaked at 745,318 on 11 January 2021 (7-day moving average). It is coming down and it was 404,474 on 9 March 2021. (See graph) Vaccination roll-out is the other good piece of news.

Science is telling us that Covid-19 can be contained if we wear face masks and reduce social contacts (social distancing) as much as possible.

For more than a year now, we lived through despairs and it has disrupted our lives that we have not encountered before for most of us. My parents lived through war like the Japanese Occupation. War was many times worse than what we are facing now. There is hope that we will be able to ride through this pandemic with science/medicine as our guiding lights.

We have this collective experience of lives during Covid-19. Let’s hope for a better year ahead in 2021. We are responsible to ourselves and to others around us. Keep it up!

2 April 2021 Covid-19 Spiking Again When I thought the world was seeing a plateau in daily new cases last month, Covid-19 daily new cases spiked once again.

404,474 daily new cases on 9 March 2021 683,810 daily new cases on 2 April 2021 (Source: Worldometer) This virus proves hard nut to crack. Give them a chance, it will spread like crazy. So long as we relax the safe distancing measures, such as not wearing face masks and gather in large groups, Covid-19 will spread.

Vaccination against the virus will take a long while to reach herd immunity globally. In the meantime, we have to be careful and vigilant.

6 April 2021 One year on from Circuit Breaker Tomorrow is one-year anniversary of Circuit Breaker 2020.

From 7 April 2020, Singapore imposed Circuit Breaker period of lockdown to break the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus. We were to stay home as much as possible. This Circuit Breaker lasted till 1 June 2020 (about eight weeks). It was a period I do not want to go back to. It was a most difficult period I can remember.

One year later today, I have gotten my second dose of Pfizer Biontech vaccine. I could not imagine at the beginning of the pandemic, we were going to get a vaccine so soon to help us fight against infections. When Singapore rolls-out the vaccination programme for all residents by the end of this year, we should be grateful.

It does not mean the end of the battle of Covid-19. I would think that we have to continue to maintain good health hygiene and social distancing practices.

Happy to be where I am now.

17 April 2021 Adjustments Keeping my distance Not because I am anti-social When was last time I shook your hand It is no longer natural Limiting to a small social circle I know whom I met In order to keep each other safe We rarely meet up for same reason Avoiding certain activities To reduce contacts in crowded places From walking in narrow pathways To soaking in festivities Cutting back on regular meet-up Fewer lunches to celebrate birthdays Only after we have our vaccination jabs It is only happening now.

Posting more on social media Reaching out virtually WhatsApp groups are active with updates Relief to know you are responding Adjusting to restrictions Cannot leave home without face mask Counting the number when we meet And keeping a physical distance

1 May 2021 What a week it had been On 26 April 2021 (Monday): Case 62440 is a 35 year-old male Bangladesh national who is a Work Permit holder. He resides at Westlite Woodlands Dormitory. He was tested positive for Covid-19.

On 27 April 2021 (Tuesday): Singapore-Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble is to start on 26 May. Travellers do not have to be quarantined when they travel between two countries under certain conditions.

24 recovered workers at Westlite Woodlands Dormitory were tested positive for Covid-19.

This forms a new cluster.

On 28 April 2021 (Wednesday): Singapore ranked first in Bloomberg’s Covid-19 Resilience Ranking, edging out New Zealand for the top spot.

Case 62517 is a 38 year-old male Singaporean who works as an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Officer deployed at Changi Airport Terminal 1 was tested positive for Covid-19.

Case 62541 is a 46 year-old female Philippines national who is a nurse at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), and is deployed at Ward 9D. She was tested positive for Covid-19.

The two cases above formed two clusters of infections.

On 29 April 2021 (Thursday): The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said that Singapore’s economic growth is likely to top 6% this year, barring a significant setback in global economy or a surge in locally transmitted Covid-19 cases.

There were 16 reported cases in the community. TTSH cluster grew to 9 cases. The ICA officer cluster has 7 cases all of which are family members.

On 30 April 2021 (Friday): There were 9 new cases in the community.

On 1 May 2021 (Saturday): The Singapore authority announced on Friday a series of measures to tighten rule on social interactions. This was to slow down the spread of Covid-19 in the community.

Ministry of Health has preliminarily confirmed 9 new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19 infection. More information will be released later.

It does not seem good news with so many locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 in this week. We have to continue to be vigilant in face of Covid-19. If this local transmission is not managed well, we will see more cases in coming days. So brace ourselves.

6 May 2021 Unstable emotions Some days I felt the weight of dull sadness creeping in. Feeling that something was not quite right. We are going back to the stricter Phase 2 of re-opening up of activities because of the uptick in community infections. Social gathering group size is going to be 5 instead of 8. We are backtracking.

I am frustrated at why it was so difficult to defeat this virus. I am annoyed at why some people caught the virus and wondered how they got them. I tried to search for answers to pin blames if they were careless with keeping to safe measures. One year on from Circuit Breaker lockdown and we have not gotten a grip on keeping the virus at bay.

At times, I felt I was too unrealistic. People do not wish to be infected with Covid-19. It just happened. They deserve the best medical care when recuperating.

Yesterday, I felt serene. There was only 1 community case that day. My hope rises again that maybe, we are going to be alright.

Then the number of daily infections reached a new record for India today. I fear that India is losing the battle.

Such is the roller coaster ride of emotions. More days bad and lesser days good. When will I see the reverse of this?

14 May 2021 Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) Singapore will tighten measures to fight against Covid-19 for four weeks starting from Sunday 16 May 2021 through Sunday 13 June 2021.

The local community Covid-19 infections have been increasing for one week now. It was 24 cases on 13 May. The fear is that the virus has leaked to the community and there is a need to restrict social interactions further from group of 5 to just 2. Dining-in is no longer an option come this Sunday. Capacity at shopping malls will be reduced from 10 square metre (Gross Floor Area) per person to 16 sqm per person. (See MOH press release for other restrictions.)

With this announcement, the Straits Times Index (STI) tumbled 2.7% (3.51 pm).

The measures will be reviewed in two weeks time to see how we are doing in the fight of Covid-19. It can either be tightened further or relaxed depending on the conditions then.

Why are we at this juncture? Covid-19 coronavirus can slip through our geographical borders when we are not vigilant. This time round it came pass Changi Airport to form the largest active community cluster.

It looks like we have to come together again to fight this virus like the Circuit Breaker period of last year. Please keep safe and limit social interactions as much as possible. We simply do not know who is carrying the virus when we are in the public.

15 May 2021 Here we go again Here we go again When I thought it was under control It spread with renewed strength Exploiting weaknesses in human beings We are back to no more dining-in Keeping to two when out and about We have to reduce social interactions To stop it from spreading We let our guards down Forgetting that it has not disappeared Call it complacent or simply fatigue It is no excuse and we pay the price When you are infected with it You know you will be sick People in contact with you Are isolated and quarantined It takes everyone to act In the interest of others Follow good practices Keep it from winning

19 May 2021 Singapore Covid-19 situation is a concern Over the past 3 days, the number of daily unlinked infection cases stayed stubbornly above 10. Unlinked cases are a concern as we do not know where they got the virus. Each unlinked case can potentially lead to a new active cluster. There are now 19 active clusters.

Date

Total Community cases Unlinked cases Total cases

18 May

27

11

38

17 May

21

11

28

16 May

38

18

49

15 May

19

2

31

14 May

24

4

52

13 May

24

4

34

The daily total infection cases were high as well. The best way to break the chain of infection is really isolation from other people as far as possible. Avoid crowded places for the time being. When one is out of home, proper mask wearing is essential to prevent from catching the virus. We do not know who is a Covid-19 carrier and where they have been to.

We must take this period of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) seriously to reduce infections among us. It may seem unfair that the majority suffers just because of few who were infected. No point in lamenting why we are in this predicament. Instead we have to do our part so as we do not get infected with onward transmission to others (especially your loved ones).

28 May 2021 13 days on Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) The number of community cases were lower than 20 for past two days. The unlinked community cases were holding up at less than 5 for past three days. The unsatisfactory news is that the number of active clusters is 35 at the moment. It is a large number. And yet, the low number of daily unlinked cases could not be placed in these 35 clusters. How did these infected cases get the infection? One wonders.

Date

Total Community cases

Unlinked cases

Total cases

Remarks

28 May

15

4

30

27 May

14

2

24

26 May

23

3

26

25 May

18

6

30

24 May

24

2

36

23 May (Sun)

21

3

25

22 May

22

7

29

21 May

30

8

40

20 May

27

6

41

19 May

34

4

38

18 May

27

11

38

17 May

21

11

28

16 May (Sun)

38

18

49 Phase 2(HA)

15 May

19

2

31

14 May

24

4

52

13 May

24

4

34

From the chart taken from Channel News Asia, it shows a downward trend of community cases. Hope this will hold.

2 June 2021 Third week of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) What is most difficult during this Phase of restrictions is that we cannot eat at hawker centres or food outlets. We can only buy take-away food from them. This is similar to last year’s Circuit Breaker and Phase 1 that ended on June 18, 2020.

For nearly one year, we were able to dine in with just restrictions on numbers like group of 5 or group of 8 (from June 19 and from December 28 respectively). Because of increases in community cases arising from Tan Tock Seng Hospital Cluster and Changi Airport Cluster and then spreading to other parts of Singapore, Singapore imposed Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) lockdown. Dine-in is no longer allowed. This has a knock-on effect on the retail sector that depends on footfalls of diners in eateries nearby. As a result, most shopping malls were quiet.

My feel is that there is complacency and pandemic fatigue after one year of alerts and after a year of wearing face masks. Another is a sense of misplaced confidence in tackling the pandemic since the nation has started vaccination against Covid-19.

It is common to see people not wearing face masks or not wearing them properly. It is also common to see people gathering together and talk or smoke together without regard to safe distancing. It is also common to see people in crowded places like the park connectors, walking trails or nature trails on weekends. All these are sources of transmission of infections, among other settings.

This reminded me of the graphic appearing in The Straits Times (24 June 2020) that shows the Covid-19 risks: The three Cs and one D. 1C is Closed Spaces, 2C is Close Contact Settings with Close-Range Communication, 3C Crowded Spaces, D is Duration and Diversity of Contacts. The probability of virus transmission is heightened when these 4 factors overlap.

One year ago, we were warned. One year on, we are still on heightened alert. To fight this invisible coronavirus, every single one must pull together in the same direction. If this were not the case, we will forever be fighting flare-ups in the future.

6 June 2021 Covid Blue Most days not cheerful What is case number today?

So many unlinked!

Worried and anxious PM plans to speak to us Bearer of bad news?

Angry at others For not following orders Put people at risk Exasperated Many clusters appearing When can we close them?

(Japanese Haiku format with 5-7-5 Syllabus)

11 June 2021 Covid-19 infections impact STI Singapore tightened measures to fight against Covid-19 for four weeks starting from Sunday 16 May 2021 through Sunday 13 June 2021. This is termed as Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).

As a result, the Straits Times Index (STI) was down 1.7% at the end of May 2021 from April 2021.

It was announced yesterday that come 13 June, a phased approach to re-opening is necessary. This is termed as Phase 3 (Heightened Alert).

The Multi-Ministry Task Force wanted another week to see whether the community cases are indeed coming down.

The STI for today was 3,157.97 points. This was down 0.2% from end May 2021.

Date

STI

Change (%)

31-Dec-20

2,843.81 NA

29-Jan-21

2,902.52

2.1%

26-Feb-21

2,949.04

1.6%

31-Mar-21

3,165.34

7.3%

30-Apr-21

3,218.27

1.7%

31-May-21

3,164.28

-1.7%

11-Jun-21

3,157.97

-0.2%

YTD Change

13.2%

11.0%

There is a correlation between Covid-19 infections and the STI. Prior to May 2021, the STI was up 13.2% by end April from the beginning of the year. Singapore was doing well during the earlier part of 2021.

12 June 2021 Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) felt like Circuit Breaker Singapore started Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) from 16 May 2021. It has been a month now.

I feel that Phase 2 (HA) is similar to how I felt last year during the Circuit Breaker (7 Apr 2020 to 1 Jun 2020). The main reason is that we cannot dine-in at all hawker centres and foot outlets/restaurants.

Even when shopping malls are allowed to continue operating during Phase 2 (HA), fewer people were venturing into shopping malls simply because eating at these malls is not allowed. Furthermore there were infection cases who had visited some of these shopping malls and forming active infection clusters.

Working from home is the default now. As a result people using public transports dropped significantly. I see near empty bus interchange where I lived. Taxis are now waiting for passengers. I took a taxi once since Phase 2 (HA) began and no other public transport. I walked around my neighbourhood for buying essential supplies and takeaway cooked food.

The advice is to stay at home as much as possible during this period.

During this period, my family took out our takeaway containers and decided what preprepared food to buy for our lunches. This is reminiscence of Circuit Breaker period.

16 June 2021 Latest Covid-19 cases – A cause of concern I thought we had the Covid-19 coronavirus nailed last week with single digit daily community infection cases. Then came Sunday 13 June this week, there were 10 cases or more each day. Today’s preliminary number of community cases was 19, a new high for this week.

Date

Day

Number of Community cases

13 Jun

Sunday

10

14 Jun

Monday

18

15 Jun

Tuesday

14

16 Jun

Wednesday

19

The new cases were mainly arising from the cluster forming at Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre. This cluster had grown to 25 as of yesterday. Telok Blangah Drive Food Centre had a case involving a hawker. Redhill Market and Food Centre was another place visited by an infected person.

In all, three (3) separate Markets and Food Centres are being watched carefully for any further outbreak. It appears that transmission can occur even in outdoors where there are better air ventilations and dine-in is still not allowed.

We clearly have to be mindful that Covid-19 and the highly transmissible Delta variant are still around us. It is not zero infection in the community.

Such is the heartbreak that life cannot go back to normal anytime soon.

18 June 2021 After more than one year For more than one year since March 2020, we have been living under the shadow of Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. The whole world is under some forms of lock downs.

Many borders are still closed. Passenger flights are just a small fraction of pre-pandemic level for most airlines. Fewer passengers were taking to the sky because of country restrictions such as quarantine on arrival.

We are staying home most time and limiting contacts with other people for fear of catching the virus. The home is the only safe place since infection cases were detected in places frequented by large crowds. We saw cases in some shopping malls, NEA’s hawker centres and wet markets, and food courts. Work environment, schools, workers’ dormitories, hospitals, care facilities, Changi Airport were not spared from this virus.

We wear our face masks. We interact less with others. We would not shake hands, hold hands or even touch someone on the shoulder or back. We are not to talk on buses and MRT rides. We keep our distance from the next person. We appear anti-social by these behaviours. It is really to protect you and to protect me and by extension to protect our family members.

Being cooped up at homes, people are getting unhappy. Frustration and poor mental health surface. Work from Home and Home-based Learning add pressure to mental wellbeing. Financial hardships happen too for some. This is a period for tolerance and patience with people.

To succeed in containing this virus, everyone has to shoulder his/her responsibilities. The weakest link is any individual who could not care less with all the health advisories. The more of such people around, the more we will be stuck with flare-ups in infection cases.

The silver lining now after one year is that Covid-19 vaccination has started for Singapore.

This is a game changer. Before we get herd immunity with vaccination, we still have to continue to be vigilant for now.

21 June 2021 Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) Re-opening What is in the name: Phase 3 (Heightened Alert)? It is a bit confusing for me. What I knew of Phase 3 of Re-opening that started on 28 December 2020 was for gatherings of eight (8) people were allowed.

Now for Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) Re-opening, gathering of five (5) persons are allowed from 14 June 2021. However, dining-in at eating-place is not allowed. From today (21 June 2021), we can dine-in again but only up to two (2) persons can eat together.

This does not square with Phase 3 of Re-opening of last year. We could still be in Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) of Re-opening now since the permissible group size still remains at five (5) with restrictions on dining-in group size at two (2) persons.

Having said my piece, I am happy that life is coming back to hawker centres and food establishments. People are now eating at these places albeit just two persons in a group can do so.

My wish is that people should remain careful and not to put themselves in a situation that they catch Covid-19. Where infections spike again, we may go back to further restrictions.

28 June 2021 Takes its toll Have you seen yourself lately?

In the mirror or selfie Do you see a change?

Is that me?

Have you looked at your photos?

Days when you were younger Physical change of ageing is obvious Is that me?

Have you lost so much weight?

In just over a year Face becomes narrower Is that me?

Have you lost hair on your head?

Water droplets just hit the scalp So much smoothly Is that me?

Have you seen more wrinkles?

Mental stress is eating into you Living day-in day-out with Covid Is that me?

2 July 2021 Life has gotten tougher for some Yesterday was 1 July, first day of the month. I went past a Muslim food stall in a coffee shop near my home. The stall was empty, clearly a case of not renewing the lease. Today, I was at Heritage Food Street, the food court at Raffles Hospital. The Western Cuisine and the Chinese Cuisine stalls have closed their businesses. This food court had few patrons when I was there during lunch.

Besides food stalls, I have seen many small retail shops closed too. They are impacted by a drop in business because of a prolonged harsh condition of Covid-19 pandemic.

I know of one person switching career from air stewardess to being a property agent.

Switching career is now common compared to pre-Covid. You hear and read about them.

Most of us are affected by Covid-19. But some got it worst. Spare a thought for them. Be thankful that we still have a roof over our heads and food on the table. It may mean tightening our belts to reduce expenses. We are fortunate that we are living in Singapore where there are vaccinations for everyone to fight Covid-19. We still have good medical care should we fall sick. We could have SCDF ambulance on call to ferry us to A&E of a nearby hospital. Shelter, food, clean water and medical care are the basics to survive. There is no need for more. The rest is just luxury of life.

10 July 2021 Twists and Turns We are still grappling with this severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) also known as Covid-19 started in December 2019. Since then the world has seen various mutations with Delta variant (first detected in India) as the dominant one in recent months. Several countries are now trying to contain this highly transmissible virus than the original coronavirus.

Firstly, I remember Singapore government telling people NOT to wear face masks unless one is sick. This was before the Circuit Breaker in April 2020. Now it is an undisputed fact that wearing face masks is crucial in preventing people from contracting Covid-19.

Secondly, back in the beginning of this outbreak, some scientists were saying that Covid-19 is air-borne, ie transmitted through the air we breathe. This was disputed at the start by World Health Organization (WHO). Now WHO acknowledges with the following update: ‘The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols.

In addition to spreading at ‘short-range’, the virus can spread ‘in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor settings, where people tend to spend longer periods of time.”

As a result, dining in restaurants and food outlets become a source of transmission where people take out face masks to eat.

Thirdly, we were encouraged to get vaccinated for one reason that a vaccinated person is less likely to be infected with the virus. But with the Delta variant of Covid-19, we had seen cases of infections among vaccinated persons. Vaccination is not a passport to remain virus-free. But the most important reason for vaccination is really to reduce the health impact to the recovery process of a vaccinated patient from Covid-19. Vaccination is still very important for this reason. We still need to keep ourselves safe from Covid-19 through various social distancing measures.

Concluding Remarks When comes to containing the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus, the world seems to be behind the curve. Of course with hindsight and after more data are available, it is easy to criticise the past. Nevertheless, I wish that health experts and in particular WHO would err on the side of caution. It is best to be extra cautious than trying to be lenient with medical (and most times unpopular) advisories. This way the world will see less deaths and less infections.

12 July 2021 Have not seen my doctor for two years The last time I had seen my doctor for health screening was in April 2019. I schedule my health screening with him every year as a matter of routine. Then Singapore went into a lockdown called Circuit Breaker from April 2020. Last year was Covid-19 pandemic and I did not see my doctor and missed my yearly health screening.

Two years later, I finally got to see my doctor for my health screening this month. The pandemic had stopped me from going to his clinic during this intervening period. Now that the daily Covid-19 infection cases were low for the past week, it gave me confidence to visit his clinic.

It was with trepidation that my health could be worse off because of Covid-19. As it turned out, my health screening results were all right. It was a huge relief.

Being healthy is not a given. We have to continue take care of our bodies and mental health. As we endure more than a year of Covid-19, it remains even more important to take care of ourselves.

17 July 2021 Tightened restrictions on dining-in, again On Monday 12 July, Singapore relaxed rules on dining-in at food outlets such as hawker centres/food courts and restaurants. 5 persons are allowed to dine together at these places. We did know then that an index case of a Vietnamese hostess at KTV was tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday 11 July. This case has since blown up the number of infected Covid-19 to 120 in matters of 6 days. This largest active cluster has been termed as the KTV Cluster. Because of this glowing cluster and affecting the community at large, the Multi-Ministry Task Force has reversed back to dine-in in groups of 2 instead of 5 from Monday 19 July till 8 August. Only restaurants with safe-management measures in place can allow fully vaccinated individuals to dine in groups of 5. They have to be able to verify the status of vaccinations of these individuals.

For most situations, dining-in is to be restricted to 2 persons in a group. We are back to square one after one week of relaxed dine-in measures. It is really fluid and unpredictable when it comes to tackling this Covid-19 pandemic. To say this is a disappointment is an understatement. This is especially so when we had ZERO infection case on July 10, just the day before the Vietnamese index case of the KTV Cluster was identified. The worst is that the whole nation has to suffer this restriction when most people have been careful with safe distancing measures.

On 2 June 2021, I mentioned about Covid-19 risks: The three Cs and one D. 1C is Closed Spaces, 2C is Close Contact Settings with Close-Range Communication, 3C Crowded Spaces, D is Duration and Diversity of Contacts. The probability of virus transmission is heightened when these 4 factors overlap.

KTVs, that flout the safe distancing measures, are a recipe for disaster based on the criteria above. Everyone in Singapore suffers through the actions of few errant KTV operators.

Covid-19 coronavirus exploits the human failings of some individuals to the detriment of all other fellow human beings. We are in it together to keep everyone safe.

19 July 2021 Covid-19 Clusters The Safra Jurong Cluster was the earliest large cluster in 2020. The cluster was traced to a Chinese New Year private dinner held at Joy Garden in Safra Jurong on 15 February 2020.

This dinner was attended by a Hokkien singing group.

According to Professor Kenneth Mak, Director of Medical Services of MOH: "So, it extends well beyond that particular dinner itself - they're coming together for karaoke classes, they're going out together, they're going on social activities together. So, that seems to be the common pattern with this particular cluster." (Source: The Straits Times, 10 March 2020) Fast forward to 17 July 2021, the largest active cluster is KTV Lounges/Clubs Cluster with 148 infection cases linked to it. They did not learn from the previous lesson of 2020. KTV pivot to F&B establishments is what caused the latest infection outbreak because of few errant operators.

Now another cluster is brewing: the Jurong Fishery Port*/Hong Lim Market and Food Centre Cluster (19). Fishmongers from all wet markets must get tested for Covid-19 under the law.

Before all these, Singapore had major clusters such as: 1. Migrant Workers Dormitories Cluster 2. Changi Airport Cluster (108) 3. Blk 115 Bukit View Market & Food Centre Cluster (94) 4. Jem & Westgate Cluster (63) 5. Tan Tock Seng Hospital Cluster (48) 6. Learning Point (Tuition Centre) Cluster (32) 7. McDonald’s Delivery Riders Cluster (23) Figures in brackets are numbers of infections linked to them.

Singapore seems to be fighting fires as new cluster of infection cases emerges. When we thought that we have a handle in taming the Covid-19 coronavirus, new scenarios sprang

up in different settings. Social distancing measures then get tightened or rolled back to tighter measures.

It is unfortunate that we as a nation cannot get our act together to ensure a safe Singapore. * The Jurong Fishery Port Cluster had grown to 63 cases as at 18 July. This can potentially be a big cluster too.

20 July 2021 Back to DaBao again (Takeaway food) I couldn’t believe the flip-flop in dining-in at food and beverage (F&B) outlets (including hawker centres) since 16 May 2021.

Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) Four weeks from 16 May 2021 through 13 June 2021, no dine-in at all at hawker centres and food outlets/restaurants. Group size for social gatherings was two (2).

Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) Social gathering of five (5) persons are allowed from 14 June 2021. However, dining-in at eating-place is not allowed.

From 21 June 2021, dine-in allowed but only up to two (2) persons can eat together.

On 12 July 2021, Singapore relaxed rules on dining-in at food outlets. 5 persons are allowed to dine together at these places.

From 19 July 2021 through 8 August 2021, dining-in at F&B establishments will be dialed back to groups of up to 2 persons (or 5 if diners are fully vaccinated). This was later superseded by today’s announcement.

We are back to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).

From 22 July to 18 August, group size for social gathering will be two (2) persons. Diningin is to cease. Only takeaway and delivery are allowed.

Increasing in Locally Transmitted Infection cases The latest restrictions is to stem the spread of community infection cases: 18 July: 88 19 July: 163 20 July: 182

21 July 2021 Seize the day Seize the day Do not wait Or you will miss a chance to make your day You never will know What tomorrow Brings Good or bad tidings Today is the day To do what Is important Tomorrow is too late You are prevented With new regulations To eat together the next day Live in the moment Enjoy it Knowing You have seized the day Ps: Above penned because of Déjà vu feeling. Going back to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) tomorrow.

25 July 2021 Seniors are targets for latest outbreak, rather unfairly People are frustrated with the return to the tighter restrictions under Phase 2 (Heightened Alert). Businesses, such as food & beverage outlets including hawker centres, customerfacing retail shops, suffer under P2 (HA). We cannot eat in in coffee shops, hawker centres and F&B outlets for 4 weeks starting 22 July. We know the government is trying to mitigate hardship through $1.1 billion support package. But this is not the issue. The issue is that businesses lose revenue and not about cost sharing with the government and landlords.

There is this argument that Covid-19 infection must be brought under control before the hospital beds are overwhelmed or more deaths occur. So Phase 2 (HA) is necessary to bring down this recent spike in infections resulting from the KTV Cluster and the Jurong Fishery Port Cluster. Because 70% of seniors age 70 and above are vaccinated, the unvaccinated are at risks of severe illnesses from Covid-19. They become another reason for going to Phase 2 (HA).

I read with concern that one individual openly said unvaccinated seniors are “stubborn” for not going to vaccinate (in South China Morning Post report). Do we understand intimately why these seniors are not willing to vaccinate? They should not be used as scapegoats for Singapore going into tight restrictions. Firstly, they did not cause the KTV and the Jurong Fishery Port clusters. Secondly, these seniors like us are just victims of the spread of community cases through wet markets and hawker centres (seeding from Jurong Fishery Port). If both KTV and Jurong Fishery Port were controlled at the start, the latest community clusters will not happen.

I know vaccination is important. Majority (more than 70%) knows this. I am vaccinated and I am a senior. We also know that vaccination is not mandatory and is a personal choice.

There are genuine concerns for some seniors.

Some fear side-effects because of known allergies. Some fear death or complications from vaccination. Some say that they are already so old, there is no fear of dying. Some has family members rallying behind them to keep them safe as far as possible. Some may be still waiting for traditional vaccine not using mRNA technology. Some believe that herd immunity may be achieved without them going for vaccination. Some may not even know there is the vaccination programme since they are not plugged in.

These seniors are so misunderstood and are not “stubborn” or worse still being labeled as ”recalcitrants”. They need more persuasions instead. Please do not alienate them for the latest Phase 2 (HA) curbs. They need more care and concern since they are suffering too under Covid-19, not any less than the rest of us.

1 August 2021 Putting suffering in perspective We felt the pains of living with Covid-19 pandemic since February 2020. For one and half years, we are still fearing the virus. This is taking its toll on people’s life and livelihood. This is a global problem and we are still tackling the spread of this virus.

Is this bad? It depends on an individual’s reference point.

My parents lived through the Japanese Occupation of Singapore that lasted for three years and seven months. (8 Feb 1942 to 12 Sep 1945) Both my mother and my father passed away before Covid-19. They did not have to worry about wearing face masks or whether to get vaccination against Covid-19. For them, living through the Japanese Occupation must be many times worse than living through Covid-19. No one will understand the peril of lives then unless you were in it. No wonder my mother, when she was alive, always told us not to waste food. She lived thriftily and not wanting to wear newer clothes even when she had them in her cupboard.

For the generation after my parents’, the worst period I ever encountered was SARS in 2003. Even with SARS, it lasted only four months. There was no need to dig into Singapore financial reserves by the government. There were periods of recessions and retrenchments along the way. But this was short-lived. It did not impact me as much.

Covid-19 pandemic resulted in work-from-home and home-based learning. There were periodic lockdowns and restrictions of movement. Jobs were lost. It is suffering no doubt.

However, this pales in comparison with the Japanese Occupation.

I hope that we can live through Covid-19 with mental fortitude. We have to continue to take measures to keep ourselves and others safe.

7 August 2021 A National Day Present From 10 August, we can dine-in again at food establishments, coffee shops and hawker centres. It is a National Day present to the whole nation. The current restrictions of NO dining-in are to run until 18 August (from 22 July).

Dining-in is allowed for up to 5 fully vaccinated patrons at F&B establishments (other than coffee shops and hawker centres). People can dine-in together in groups of 2 at hawker centres and coffee shops regardless of vaccination status. The latter is a concession so that people can dine in lower cost eating places that are in an open-air environment. This is a risk-mitigated approach.

No dine-in is really a pain for people and it affects food outlets in a significant way.

9 August 2021 A Toast to Our Nation We are celebrating National Day on 9 August 2021. We are still living with Covid-19. This is second year running. We are in it together as a whole nation toggling between pessimism and optimism. While I am in a celebratory mood, I wish to acknowledge those who keep the nation going. They have my respect and gratitude.

The delivery people who came to my home to deliver items we bought on-line. We limit going out during restricted movement periods and therefore we bought things on-line.

Hawkers, food preparers and chefs who have to wear their face masks when cooking. It is not comfortable when they are cooking over a hot fire.

Retail shop assistants, supermarket personnel and wet market stall holders who have to interact with customers are at risk of contracting the virus.

Hairdressers are vulnerable since they are in close contact with customers.

Dentists, doctors, nurses and clinic assistants have to wear PPE to treat us. They are the front-line people in facing the virus during their workdays.

People who lost their jobs or reduced work hours in sectors hit badly by this pandemic.

They had to find other jobs during this trying time. Some took up roles such as Safe Distancing Ambassadors and Swabbers.

Finally, all Singaporeans who have to live with Covid-19, from lockdowns to Work-fromHome and Home-Based Learning. Most of us played our parts to keep everyone safe.

Happy 56th National Day!

19 August 2021 No more temperature screening at public places On 7 February 2020, Singapore raised the risk assessment of Covid-19 from DORSCON Yellow to DORSCON Orange. Temperature screening at large scale events was made mandatory.

After one year and six months (18 months), temperature screening is no longer required at public places from today (19 August 2021).

The requirement was lifted under “Transition towards Covid-19 Resilience” phase. As at 17 August, 77% of population are already vaccinated with two doses of the vaccines.

We came a long way to remove temperature screening at public places. This is a psychological boost to our confidence in living with Covid-19.

Still we still need to keep safe. Covid-19 coronavirus is not eradicated.

27 August 2021 Living a new normal My family went to Bugis Junction to eat lunch at a restaurant there on 24 August. We did not know that a Covid-19 cluster was developing. We got to know that Bugis Junction had 20 cases of staff working at the mall the following day. We could have avoided Bugis Junction if we knew the new cluster earlier. It was a day late. Since Tuesday, the number of cases had grown to 148 cases in just four days.

As reported in today’s newspapers (27 August), two new clusters had formed at Toa Payoh and Punggol bus interchanges. Toa Payoh bus interchange has 25 cases and Punggol bus interchange has 11 cases. It is getting nearer to home. Many commuters use bus interchanges for their commuting and they are usually busy with people passing through or just sitting around.

Coming back to Bugis Junction cluster, MOH advised visitors to the mall to monitor their health closely. We did not receive any notification that we are close contacts with the infected people. However, people can book an appointment for free swab test a regional screening centres and other venues till August 31. We did just that this afternoon via the appointment booking system via MOH homepage. This is our first encounter with PCR test.

Our experience with the swab test was not too bad. Now we have to wait for results of the swab tests.

As I see it, we have to live with Covid-19 coronavirus spreading in the community. It is not going to be zero infection case. We may just be passing through or be at the place where a cluster is forming. Whether we get infected or not, swab test will be key. What we can do is to always be vigilant, wear a face mask, sanitise our hands before we take our food, limit social interactions as much as possible, and avoid crowded places. These are basic health hygiene.

16 September 2021 Number of Covid-19 jumped past 800 For two days in a row, the number of daily infections crossed the eight hundred mark.

Number for 14 September was 837. Number for 15 September was 807. MOH has stopped providing number of unlinked cases to previous cases since 8 September. The unlinked cases were high before 8 September. This was a worrisome sign back then. It begs the question: Where did these new cases catch Covid-19? The spread in the community is not traceable until an active cluster was formed. Even with this information, the infection may have started somewhere else.

What are we to do to prevent us from getting Covid-19? Even for the vaccinated individuals, they can still catch the Delta Variant. Could someone we meet carry the virus without outward symptoms for us to see? Should we then stop to go to places such as malls, supermarkets, wet markets, eating places, etc?

This is how I am feeling now. For one year and nine months, the world has been living under the cloud of fear. This is getting stressful.

27 September 2021 Here we go again – Restrictions for Four Weeks Starting today, people can only gather in groups of 2 down from 5 previously. Dine in at food and beverage outlets (other than hawker centres and coffee shops) for the vaccinated individuals is similarly reduced to 2 instead of 5. Unique visitors to each household are also limited to 2 per day. The Multi-Ministry Task Force (MTF) called this the Stabilisation Phase to stabilise the rising daily infections. There were 1,939 cases yesterday. The concern of MTF was that the healthcare system could be overwhelmed if the cases were not brought under control.

We are going backward in social distancing measures for living with Covid-19 as an endemic disease. Vaccination does not prevent someone from catching the highly transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19. (However, vaccination helps to protect someone from serious illness.)

We are not in normal times and we have been at it since late March 2020. It has taken its toll on the mental health of individuals. We cannot achieve herd immunity and vaccination does not stop the virus from spreading. So what are we to do?

1 October 2021 Feel their fears They may appear normal Going about their lives Do we know how they are?

Do we listen?

Stay at home Do not eat at hawker centre If you are senior Do not socialise More seniors have died More are infected They are at risks Go get vaccinated So much instruction Also changing It is hard to keep up What is the latest?

This is no way to live Someone in household Could bring home virus How can they isolate?

If they are not feeling well What should they do?

Go to clinic or stay at home?

Who can help?

If they do not read the news Should we blame them?

For violating restrictions Can they be helped?

5 October 2021 Number of Covid-19 cases scares me On 18 September 2021, the total infections were 1,009. This was the first time the number crossed 1,000.

On 28 September, the total crossed 2,000 to 2,236 cases. It reached the highest on 1 October at 2,909 cases. This was just shy of 3,000.

The total infections yesterday (4 October) were 2,475 cases.

We were told that Singapore could have more than 5,000 daily infection cases in days to come.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) on Friday (Oct 1) urged seniors to avoid dining at hawker centres and to buy takeaway food instead. These mask-off activities at hawker centres are potential hotbed for transmission of Covid-19 virus. Seniors are most vulnerable to serious illness and even death if they catch the virus.

On this account, we have been buying take-away food to eat at home since the advisory.

This advisory was on top of regulations set by the Multi-Ministry Task Force. From 27 September, social gathering is limited to a group of 2. Dining in at F&B outlets, hawker centres and coffee shops is also restricted to 2. The only difference is that F&B outlets only allow diners who are fully vaccinated. Hawker centres and coffee shops have no such restrictions.

Is Singapore ready to live with Covid-19 as an endemic disease? We appear not to be ready. The social distancing restrictions are still in place because we cannot cope with the surge in Covid-19 infection cases.

11 October 2021 Live life normally but take precautions If one is unvaccinated against Covid-19, he or she is 14 times higher at risk of getting severe infection compared to vaccinated people.

If one is 80 years old or older, catching Covid-19 is a serious incident whether one is vaccinated or not. Home Recovery Programme is not for these people.

Could life be back to normal, pre-pandemic time?

I belong to the senior group (ie 60 years old or older) of the society. Though vaccinated and waiting for booster jab, I still fear catching the virus. In the past, I felt that age is just a number. But with the pandemic, I feel suddenly OLD. I am now categorised as a vulnerable group. In matter of a year plus, my physical body may not survive a Covid infection.

I check that my face mask is worn properly before going out. I choose places, time of day, and day of week to avoid encountering crowds. We buy take-away food for past two weeks and eat at home. I do not go out on a whim. It is only for essential purposes, such as to get to a supermarket. We do not go out to shopping centres for browsing among shops. We do not go to attractions or nature reserves. We avoid public transport and only walk to our destinations that are within walking distance.

This is not normal.

Have I got a choice? The daily infection cases were still above 2,000 or 3,000. The only choice I have is to take precautions. When will I feel safe? When will daily infections crest and then come down to be just in the hundreds?

Only time will tell.

14 October 2021 Has Daily Infection Rates hit the crest?

More than 2 weeks have passed since the strict restrictions of social gatherings were put in place. People can only gather in groups of 2 down from 5 previously. Work-from-Home (WFH) was the default.

From Sunday 10 October, Home Recovery will become the default for almost everyone hit

by Covid-19 except for certain groups of people. Unless one develops symptoms and requires to see a doctor, the infected persons need only test themselves using antigen rapid test (ART) instead of the more time consuming polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Testing positive using ART does NOT get into the Daily Infections Numbers. This is my understanding, unless I am mistaken.

From 13 October, an unvaccinated person cannot eat at hawker centres and coffee shops, thus limiting the risk of transmissions during mask-off activities such as eating and drinking.

On accounts of the above observations, I am expecting the daily infection numbers should NOT rise exponentially from now on. I stand to be corrected.

Date

Daily Infection Cases

8 Oct

3,590

9 Oct

3,703

10 Oct

2,809

11 Oct

2,263

12 Oct

2,976

13 Oct

3,190

We have been told that we should NOT be too concerned with numbers of daily infections.

Instead, we should look at the numbers of seriously ill from Covid-19 and whether Singapore hospital facilities are overwhelmed.

Looking at daily infection rate is a psychological thing. People can still be alarmed with high numbers despite the advice to live with Covid-19. Let’s hope to see a downward trend of the daily infection numbers.

18 October 2021 Let’s look at numbers Since the new measure of restrictions kicked in three weeks ago on 27 September, have the situations improved?

The table tracked both dates (27 September and 17 October).

Number comparison between 27 September and 17 October 2021

27 Sep

17 Oct

Deaths

80

233

191.3%

153

Patients in ICU

27

66

144.4%

39

194

327

68.6%

133

Warded in Hospitals

1288

1651

28.2%

363

Total cases

1647

3058

85.7%

1411

Indicators

Requiring oxygen supplementation

Change (%) Change

Noticeably, the total number of deaths as a result of contracting Covid-19 increased 153 (or nearly threefolds) from 80 to 233 cumulative deaths between both dates.

Patients in ICU increased from 27 to 66 (an increase of 39 patients).

Patients requiring oxygen supplementation increased from 194 to 327 (an increased of 133 patients).

Numbers warded in hospitals were not as bad as feared since Recovery-at-Home has become the default.

Total number of daily infection cases jumped 85.7% from 1,647 on 27 September to 3,058 on 17 October.

Remarks What I cannot understand is that with such as high vaccination rate of 84% of total population, the number of deaths and patients in ICU and requiring oxygen supplementation continues to trend upwards?

We are a nation of mandatory mask wearing since April last year and yet we re facing a spike in cases. We are restricting ourselves with regard to social interactions, eating out and yet we are suffering still under Covid-19.

Several nations are opening up for their residents in recent days and we are still not so free. Their vaccination rates are not even near us.

This is hard times for all, including primary students who cannot play with their classmates.

20 October 2021 The Great D In early 1930s, the United States experienced the Great Depression in the economic sense.

The economic crisis affected other nations globally who traded with the US. There were hardships among people. I was not born then.

I experience another kind of Great D in my lifetime. I call it the Great Disruptions because of the Disease named Covid-19 coronavirus. The pandemic disrupted lives of millions on a global scale. People lost their loved ones. Others have their lives disrupted as a result of the virus.

From my perspective, I count the following as major disruptions.

1. Social interactions are reduced significantly. Family members meet less physically.

School children do not play together like the old days. I do not meet friends just to get together.

2. Physical contacts are not recommended as far as possible. So working adults learn to work from home. Students have to adjust to home-based learning. On-line banking, cashless payments, Zoom meetings are ways to limit contacts with another person.

3. We learn to buy things on-line and have them delivered to our homes. Asking for food delivery has become common. We know from the number of delivery riders on the road during meal times.

4. We cannot leave home without the TraceTogether tokens or App on our mobile phones.

Checking in at most places with these become compulsory, like wet markets, supermarkets and shopping malls.

5. Only those vaccinated against Covid-19 are allowed to dine-in at eating places including hawker centres. This is the latest restriction imposed on the nation.

6. The last item on my list is mask wearing. We cannot leave home without a face mask.

How long will these disruptions last? Two years or three years or more? Feeling melancholy at the state of affair.

21 October 2021 Covid-19 Restrictions Extended The Multi-Ministry Task Force (MTF) announced yesterday that the current 4-week restrictions on safe management measures will be extended for another 4 weeks starting 25 October and ending on 21 November. Social gatherings are still limited to 2 persons.

Eating out at eating places is for fully vaccinated persons and limited to 2 persons as well.

Work-from-home is still the default.

Stabilisation effort to ride out the virus surge has not borne the desired results wanted by MTF. ICU beds utilisation rate is now 67% (Max: 207 beds). 89% of isolation beds for Covid-19 patients are occupied (Max: 1,650 beds). Unvaccinated seniors are at significant risk of succumbing to the virus.

The number of daily infection rates hovered close to 4,000 in the past two days. It is still a worry. Will it come down or continue to go up?

This reminded me of the 4-week Circuit Breaker in April last year. It was later extended for another 4 weeks until 1 June 2020.

We are still fighting this mutant virus. When we thought we had a handle in the fight, it outwitted us once again. So what now?

28 October 2021 I had my Booster – My Experience My last Pfizer vaccination shot was done in April. After six months later, I had my booster on Tuesday (26 October), also on Pfizer.

For nearly 48 hours, I had low-grade fever (37.4 - 37.5 degrees) that did not go away. The corresponding effects were lethargy and body ache. This was not the case for my first two vaccination shots. I had slight fever at nights only back then.

I took one Panadol every six-hourly period over two days. The panadol relieved the fever for the six hours and the fever came on again after that. The fever broke only this morning much to my relief.

I hope to believe that my immune system is coping all right with sufficient anti-bodies against Covid-19 since I have a reaction to the vaccination.

Seniors aged 60 and above can simply walk into any vaccination centre, polyclinic or participating GP to get their booster shots without prior appointment. I did that by walking to a vaccination centre near my home on Tuesday. It was not a hassle and there is no waiting time for my jab. It is that simple.

I would recommend that husband and wife take the jabs separately with an interval of one week. So that spouse can support each other should there be side effects to the vaccine jab.

30 October 2021 Because I Stay at Home More Because I stay at home more I see more sunsets With last burst of colours Before retiring Because I stay at home more I search into storage places For long forgotten memories Of photos, documents, and objects Because I stay at home more I eat meals at home Brought back lunches Appreciate home-cooked dinners Because I stay at home more I read more fictions from library Losing myself into literary sphere Time floats to end of day Because I stay at home more I roster daily routine of housework Keeping house An orderly home and peace of mind Because I stay at home more I pass the day with family Talk to each other more Bonding together Because I stay at home more Home is a place of refuge From complex world Of problems and heartaches

1 November 2021 Two months to end of 2021 Two more months before we bid farewell to 2021. What has happened in 2021 so far?

2020 is the Year of Covid-19 with Circuit Breaker and closures of country borders. Many activities and festivals were stopped. We reduced social gatherings among family members and friends. Social distancing and mask wearing were mandated to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Our lives were disrupted.

2021 began with the hope of Covid-19 vaccinations. Covid-19 vaccination is the lifeline against this coronavirus. 84% of Singapore population has received two doses of vaccines so far whilst 15% has received boosters.

We thought that vaccination would get us out of the miseries experienced in last year. But the Delta Variant strain of the virus surfaced in India. India’s daily infection cases crossed 400,000 with over 4,000 deaths in a day in May 2021.

Delta variant spread to Singapore soon after in June. This highly transmissible variant resulted in a serious September/October wave of daily infections and more deaths not seen in 2020.

Singapore went into Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) again on 22 July 2021 with social gathering group size limited to 2.

Singapore entered the Stabilisation Phase on 27 September to slow the rate of transmission and protect Singapore healthcare system. The Stabilisation Phase was extended from 25 October through 21 November 2021. Social gathering group size limited to 2 from 5.

We are now in the current extended period of the Stabilisation Phase.

I look at countries opening up for travellers to enter their borders with much envy.

Movement restrictions are slowly relaxed for their populations. This is because these countries have a high rate of vaccination. Yet in Singapore where our vaccination rate is among the highest in the world, we see restrictions still in place. It is an irony.

One reason is that we are seeing more deaths in seniors (whether vaccinated or not) because of Covid-19.

Another irony is that Singapore has one of the lowest deaths per 100,000 population in the world and yet we are not so free as other countries that are opening up.

What can we do?

To defeat this Covid-19 coronavirus, there must be unity in the people. The weakest link in this fight is the total disregard of some people towards Covid-19. They do not care whether they are spreading the virus.

If everyone is socially responsible, Covid-19 cannot get us. Look out for each other and care for each other. Spread the truths instead of falsehoods about the virus.

It has been nearly two years since Covid-19 first surfaced in China in late December 2019.

We are still grappling with it with so much mental anguish. When will it end with lifted restrictions?

6 November 2021 Almost six weeks of stay-at-home Five weeks plus six days have passed since the Stabilisation Phase started on 27 September. Another two weeks before the extended Stabilisation Phase is scheduled to end on 21 November. I am expecting the Multi-Ministry Task Force to say something at mid-point of the latter extended phase.

During the past 41 days, I have not taken any public transport to go anywhere. I stayed at home most of the time and took all my meals at home. During this period, I took my booster jab.

I heed the call to stay at home and to go out only to buy back food and groceries. I am hoping that the Covid-19 situation can get better and this kind of restrictions will be a thing of the past.

Is this too much to ask?

9 November 2021 Slowly relaxing restrictions on Covid-19 Covid-19 was with us for almost two years. Year 2020 was year of panic of this unknown coronavirus. Year 2021 is the year of vaccinations and gradual opening up of borders of countries. Vaccination has played a major part in establishing lives towards normalcy.

There is more confidence in living with Covid-19.

For us, social gatherings are still limited to two persons. From Wednesday 10 November, fully vaccinated people from the same household will be able to dine out in groups of up to five. This applies to food outlets other than hawker centres and coffee shops. This means that my family can eat together at the same table in food establishments from tomorrow.

However, social get-together at food outlets is still limited to two persons and they must be fully vaccinated.

Singapore is not quick in opening up her borders, unlike the United States of America, UK and some European countries. It is a gradual opening with Vaccinated Travel Lane approach with few countries. Barring any major changes in the pandemic, 2022 would be a Year of Opening Up to Leisure Travels. It would be a Year of Living with Covid-19.

Let’s hope we can get our lives back as we know it before this pandemic.

14 November 2021 Feeling more confident with Covid-19 More than two weeks have passed since I got my booster shot for Covid-19. I started to resume my activities of getting out of my house like taking a bus to places and to a park. I am now among the 20% of population who got booster shots. 85% of population has completed the full regimen of two vaccination shots. My confidence came about because of the above and that the weekly increases in Covid-19 infections had slowed.

We are in the last week of the extended 4-week Stabilisation Phase of restrictions. That is we have passed seven weeks of Stabilisation Phase. Would there be an easing of restrictions or would it be extended further?

22 November 2021 Eating in F&B outlets allowed up to five fully vaccinated persons After eight weeks of stabilisation phase to bring down daily Covid-19 infections, we are now back to transition phase of living with Covid-19. From today, social gatherings group size and number of daily household visitors are increased to five (5) instead of two (2).

Eating in food and beverage outlets is allowed up to five (5) fully vaccinated persons regardless whether they are from same or different households.

This is good news. The Covid-19 situation has improved to allow more to socialise. Fully vaccinated persons continue to enjoy vaccinated-differentiated measures. Unvaccinated individuals who choose not to be vaccinated by choice will not be allowed to enter the public libraries from 1 December 2021.

29 November 2021 We have Delta and now Omicron The world is still coping with the Delta variant of Covid-19 first detected in India. Now Omicron variant, first reported in South Africa, appeared on the scene. Preliminary information is that Omicron is more transmissible than Delta. Here we go again with the latest mutation of Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2).

Let’s hope that this Omicron variant does not spread globally like the Delta variant.

Hopefully, we have learned from the experience of handling Delta variant. I am not holding my breath with each mutation of coronavirus. We may have to live with Covid-19 a lot longer. Face masks will be here to stay.

3 December 2021 Leisure travel during Covid-19 For my case, I will defer leisure travel for as long as Covid-19 coronavirus is circulating in the world. Even when country borders are opening up progressively, I deem it unsafe to travel as yet. It is unsafe because of the risk of catching the virus.

With Omicron Covid-19 variant, fully vaccinated individuals were still infected with the latest strain based on few reports surfacing in the news.

Furthermore, “the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended on Tuesday that those at risk of developing severe Covid-19 symptoms, including those over the age of 60, postpone travel over concerns that the Omicron variant could be more infectious.”

My wife and I are over 60 and fully vaccinated, we are the ones WHO is targeting its advice.

Besides the risk of being infected while overseas, the hassle of tests for Covid-19 put us off travelling for a long while. As things are so fluid, borders may be shut suddenly without prior notice. It does not make sense to get stuck in another country trying to get home.

Travelling has gotten expensive with travel insurance cost and all the requisite PCR or ART tests.

We are therefore keeping safe by staying put in our country. Medical care is just near us and fully paid for by the government when we are infected with Covid-19.

Epilogue I never thought that a long pandemic was going to hit me in my lifetime. Before 2020, who would have predicted that Covid-19 is going to happen?

It was so serious that 406 million were infected with Covid-19 globally. 5.8 million died because of the virus. (Source: Worldometer, 11 February 2022) It is not the end yet.

Some countries including Singapore are going towards treating Covid-19 as an endemic disease just like influenza (or common flu). Lockdowns of the economy is not sustainable and not healthy for our mental health.

On this note, I am not going to write Covid-19 in my jounal from now on. It is a chapter of my life I will close.

I wish all good health and do take care.