One of the worst public health threats of our generation – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Singapore is such a small island country (278 square miles) city-state in Southeast Asia has a population of about 5.8 million people. Recently, our community cases have risen sharply given easing of restrictions. Well, I guess it is an expected situation since the government decided to ease the measures and open the economy. Although the government had tighter community restrictions which kicked in on last Monday, I think that there will be more cases being detected. Well, I guess COVID-19 has been really part of our daily lives and we must face it. We heard it for about 1 year and 8 months. We kept on hearing people being tested positive and die from complications… It seems like there are so much we can do.
It had been a few months ago since my last post. Not much changes but this month I had something special to pen on. I would like to pen down my thoughts of what is it like when someone dear you were infected with COVID-19 and the process of being issued an QO.
On the 27th of September 2021, I came home after work knowing that my father was not feeling well, and he just went to see doctor at a polyclinic. He had developed mild symptoms such as a cough and running nose. Knowing that the result of the tests will be uploaded into the HealthHub App, I told him to login and see his test results. Apparently, both of his tests (ART + PCR) came back POSITIVE. MY DAD GOT COVID-19! So, my first instant reaction was to report to my bosses knowing that I will be issued a Quarantine Order (QO) and my other family members will need to isolate ourselves at home for 10 days.
After knowing that my dad was tested positive, no one contacted us to let us know what we need to do next or what should we expected. But later that evening around 8:30pm, my dad received and picked up a call saying that he will be pick up using an ambulance the next day. So, he packed some of his clothing to get ready for pick up. As for myself, I googled on the website and look for a form to submit our particulars for quarantine. My sister and I also did our ART test and uploaded our test result on the COVID-19 Testing Portal. All the above procedures are self-administrated as we do not know what to do next, but we just do what we can while waiting for MOH text messages.
On the 28th of September 2021, we were literally waiting for call and ambulance to pick up my dad. But till evening, no one came and called to check on him. He wasn’t informed of the proper procedures of what he needs to do. So, he just kept on waiting… of course he rested and eat well. We also did not receive any QO message so by right we still can go out, but we chose to quarantine ourselves and minimise contact with others.
On the 29th of September 2021, upon checking my phone, I received the MOH message stating that we had been issued a QO. But interestingly, my sister did not receive any text messages. Based on the message, there are 2 things to take note:
We need to undergo PCR swab tests at a Regional Swab Centre on 29 September and 5 October.
We need to self-administer ART tests daily (see photo as reference – collected from the screening centre) and report the results daily before 12pm.
To begin with, I clicked on the link and to book an appointment at their nearest designated screening centre. To my pleasant surprise, there are only 6 designated screening centres to serve the whole Singapore for Persons Under Quarantine (PUQ).
Former Shu Qun Secondary School
Former Coral Primary School
Former Da Qiao Primary School
Former Bishan Park Secondary School
Former Bedok North Secondary School
Former Innova Junior College
I am surprised because I thought that there will be a few more other locations that which is nearer to us and within walking distance. So, no choice we had to book grab to go for our PCR swabbing.
Upon arriving at Former Innova JC, we saw many people were being placed under PUQ. All of us will need to queue with 1-metre safe distancing to register ourselves and get the ART kits for self-testing usage. We waited around 1 hour to complete the PCR swab. It was my first time that I did a PCR swab. I thought it will be painful but not as painful as I thought. The technician inserts a flexible, soft-tipped, 6-inch swab into your nostril. He guided it to the back of your nose until it reaches the nasopharynx (the area where our nasal cavities meet the throat). He then swirls it gently and leave it there for a few seconds to collect secretions. During the test, as the technician kept inching the swab deeper and deeper inside my nose, I felt a bit of discomfort. Afterward, I left the facility, thinking it wasn’t so bad experience. Just feeling a little bit uncomfortable that the stick touches the end of my nose.
Anyway, I think no one wants to be infected with COVID-19. If we met such a situation, I guess we just need to deal with it tactfully and not putting blame on others as we cannot control virus. Ultimately, the greatest lesson that COVID-19 can teach humanity is that we are all in this together.
For me, this QO is a time where I can take some breaks isn’t about cheating myself, it’s about treating myself to reflect deeply on who I am with what I do. I believe that life will give me whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of my consciousness.
“There are so many difficult things we’re living through in the world today, so many horrible events, but we cannot let them stop us. No matter what happens, I feel you must move forward with optimism and not get totally sideswiped.” – Gloria Estefan
You must be thinking what I am thinking. It’s Day 13 of CB.
Unfortunately, even with more stringent measures imposed, this virus has found the weakest link. The numbers are rising and alarming. It was really disheartening to see how fast the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the foreign worker dormitories. The outbreak in dorms had increased the risk of contracting COVID-19 as a result of overcrowding and poor hygiene conditions.
Imagine that the virus appears to be spreading in rural areas like Africa capitals where treatment facilities are scarce or even non-existent. The consequences could be far more devastating than what we have seen in Singapore. Although we are as small as a little dot, one weak link could cause a large influx of infected cases. No finger pointing at anyone here just sparing a though as we are all in this situation together.
We have to admit that this little red dot has a good healthcare facilities and manpower system set up for detective work, isolating, and monitoring of the COVID-19 patients. I really salute all the front-line workers in the battle against the COVID-19.
In the pandemic, we are truly dealing with a new and unfamiliar threat so we must believe that we will survive this crisis. It’s not perfect, but it’s going well, I hope. I believe staying united and getting together through times of crisis has been our biggest common lesson from this experience.
“Crisis either causes regress or progress depending on the will of the people.” ― Abhijit Naskar
The Singapore Government had announced on Friday (April 3) that most workplaces will be shut down and dining in will not be allowed at food establishments from Tuesday (April 7) for one month. From 7 Apr 2020, Singapore entered the circuit breaker period to stem the spread of Covid-19 in the community. During this time, Singaporeans are advised to stay home as much as possible.
It’s day 4 of the circuit breaker and I really missing that sense of normalcy already. I miss my routines. I miss hitting the gym with no worries. I miss badminton and coaching. I miss having places to go explore on this upcoming long weekend. I miss feeling normal.
With so much tension and anxiety circulating the world right now, nothing seems to feel right. But… we have to stay hopeful. Keep your head-up. We can’t control everything, but we can control some things. The antidote to despair and anxiety is action. Focus on the things that we can change for the better, no matter how small. Work with what you have one step at a time.
This picture was taken while I was running in the park alone today. I got a feeling that this depicted the tree of life, which is a symbol of a fresh start on life, positive energy, good health and a bright future. Branches start as small buds and stretch upwards, reaching for the sun and sky. Just like this tree, a person grows stronger over time and strives for greater knowledge and new experiences. People survive and thrive in all sorts of situations; we always must adapt. Stay optimistic in the face of uncertainty, knowing that this too shall pass. Have faith in humanity. Believe that this will come to an end. Be positive that we will come out of this together; stronger, wiser and better.
Hope is being able to see that there is a light despite all the darkness. – Desmond Tutu
The rapidly-developing coronavirus crisis has sparked alarm worldwide and altering life as we know it. The coronavirus has changed how we work, play, learn and interact.
Much remains uncertain, the measures we are taking to save ourselves could permanently change the ways in which we live, work and play in the future.
Life as a whole is too far complex that we cannot predict everything that follows but to a certain degree we can predict certain broad contours depending on where we stand now.
Envisioning what does it look like after this post-pandemic?
On March 11, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic and the list of affected countries continues to grow rapidly. There’s nothing good about the coronavirus pandemic. It’s killing many people, and shutting millions more inside, with fear as their main companion. Our “enemy” is invisible. The way it is spreading from one to another, it feels more like we are waging a long-term war. Although the “enemy” is invisible, we can do our part to deal with this crisis in our own way.
1) The powers of technological connectedness can help us chat with our friends or family members to remain our deep innate need to be around other people.
2) Journaling can help you gain control of your emotions and improve your mental health.
3) Outdoor exercises like jogging is generally OK if you’re alone and don’t congregate or meander. But, remember to keep a safe distance from others.
Our goal here is to keep people physically apart to slow the spread of the virus. However, if we’re fated to go through this passage, we may as well learn something from it.
As one of my favorite saying goes “this too shall pass”. Life will go on. At times, we may not see the blessings in the unexpected events of life, but we must believe that they exist, and that, one day, we will fight and overcome this invisible enemy.
“Everybody goes through difficult times, but it is those who push through those difficult times who will eventually become successful in life. Don’t give up, because this too shall pass.” ― Jeanette Coron
On March 11, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic and the list of affected countries continues to grow rapidly. There’s nothing good about the coronavirus pandemic. It’s killing many people, and shutting millions more inside, with fear as their main companion. Our “enemy” is invisible. The way it is spreading from one to another, it feels more like we are waging a long-term war. Although the “enemy” is invisible, we can do our part to deal with this crisis in our own way.