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?