It is funny how lifestyles can't be changed overnight with technology advancements or economic growths while Covid-19 has changed everyone's lives since December 2019. With the growing pandemic that first emerged in Wuhan, China (a beautiful city where I once done a school exchange), many businesses and families have been affected despite the effective measures taken in Singapore. At least the good news is that schools and hospitals have taken efficient and effective approaches in adapting to the current situation despite the circuit breaker (partial lock down)... Training and lessons that were thought to only be possible offline became online... Official exams that were once testing the memory of students became online which in my opinion is more useful as the student's capability to apply the skills and knowledge learnt would then be tested...
So how has Covid-19 changed our lives? (in my opinion)
1) This is a period where we have more time than ever!
Comparing to the usual time that you have to spend travelling to work and going home, you would have an average of 2 hours extra for YOURSELF now! Some would take this time to get more work done... Some would choose to snooze for an extra 2 hours... While some would choose to make use of this rare moment to spend time with their family... Well... There is no right answer or the perfect decision. But I want YOU to spend 10-15 minutes of this time to THINK and APPRECIATE this moment where you are safe at home whether you are alone or with your loved ones... Because someone out there might be struggling to make a living for their family... struggling to stay alive against Covid-19... struggling to even stay mentally sane after losing their loved ones to the virus... Start thinking how you can make a difference to this society, making a positive change so that our future generations do not have to go through a similar kind of crisis we are facing today. Think about how you can live your life to the fullest whether is it during the circuit breaker period or after when everything is back to the new normal. I believe that this virus likely to become part of everyone's life sooner or later, which means if we can't avoid it, we will have to adapt and be ready to face it just like a common flu.
2) Back to basics
Never would I have imagined myself cooking at home! For the past 23 years, never once I even had any cooking equipment (e.g. pots, pans, cooking knife...) and as you can expect... my current house for the past 5 years didn't even have a proper kitchen... only the basic kitchen hob and hood can be found in my open concept "kitchen" which I converted into a mini bar... This served as a reminder which was constantly emphasized during my time in army, to never take World peace for granted. Therefore, with everyone rushing to stock up on their groceries and in particularly, cooking ingredients... Here I am, purchasing cooking equipment, days before the circuit breaker... So that at the very least... I can put some of my knowledge from the food & nutrition classes that I took during my secondary school days into use. But with limited storage space... this is probably the moment where I have eaten the most amount of frozen and processed food in the past 10 years... Which obviously before this whole Covid saga, I would probably not touch it... But I am glad that this has given me the opportunity to look back at how far my parents have come for me to be enjoying the luxury of having fresh food placed on the table everyday and how I should be working doubly hard after this saga... not just to ensure that my family and I get to enjoy fresh food but to eventually contribute back to the society...
Day 1 Covid-19 Cooking
3) Digitalization
Training and classes... Is there really a need for them to be held physically in class? Although I can't deny the fact that most students are more attentive in class as compared to home-based learning... since they are constantly monitored by the teachers... In my opinion, students would be trained to have a greater sense of ownership for their own learning if lessons are held online. This would also better prepare the growing students for the game of life. The rules of the game is about taking ownership and responsibility of your own actions. If students do not start learning it from young, how are schools planning to teach them? Through books? Theoretical memory? It is fortunate for Covid-19 to have forced multiple training sessions (even for adults) and school classes to be held online since this would also mean less resources needed to host these sessions. Humans are adaptive creatures after all... Lessons that were once mandatory to be held face-to-face are now made digital... F&B outlets that were insistent on only accepting cash are now accepting digital payments... Corporate contracts and giro forms that were once mandatory to be hard copy are now accepted in soft copy... So what does this mean? In times of crisis, things are changing and adapting faster than the norm. As the saying goes... How we start our day determines how we create our life. Are you snoozing through your morning... Snoozing through your life... And snoozing through your unlimited potential. The choice is yours.
4) Always prepare an umbrella
During this season... many have lost their jobs... lost their investments... businesses closing down... with the latest news on Channel News Asia showing bankruptcy applications in March 2020 reaching the highest in more than 15 years (CNA, 2020) We never know when would it be a rainy day... It is important to always prepare an umbrella even on a sunny day in case of passing showers. Something that I would discuss further in near future... A set of funds (worth at least 6-12 months of your overall expenses including installments) should always be kept aside to withstand the potholes in life...
With the duration of circuit breaker being extended, possibly due to the sudden surge of cases coming from the dormitories, I hope it acts as a strong reminder to everyone on how grateful we should be, staying at home with our loved ones. Staying on a foreign land away from their loved ones, working hard for a living, these migrant workers are the ones who built the homes that we are living in today. Therefore, it saddens me to see some people putting blame on them for the extension of the circuit breaker. I mean... I don't think these migrant workers are happy to be infected as well, in fact this has potentially affected their livelihood more than many of us.
I hope what I have just shared is relatable for all those of you who are going through this circuit breaker as well... Glad to have more time spent on writing these days... Please stay safe and take care!
Ohh... last but not least... those who are in need of any assistance during this period, whether is it for a meal, household necessities or even a job... Please feel free to contact me via email or Instagram and I will be happy to help within my capabilities.
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