Circuit Breaker
Day 8 of the circuit breaker and life has changed.
Like many countries around the globe, Singapore has implemented measures to help curb the spread of Covid-19, such as imposing a fine on those gathering in public, and closing schools. Interestingly, Singapore has refused to call the current situation a lockdown, but a "circuit breaker" - a term that no other country has used. The DORSCON status is still Orange because there is no "uncontrollable outbreak" and contact tracing is still possible. It is apparent that the current status is Red, by definition. It's either the definition needs to be rephrased or politicians just love to extricate from pesky questions by playing with words.
Commuting to Raffles Place for work feels drastically different. Gone are the usual crowds - you can take a 360 degree turn with outstretched arms on the MRT. Boulevards and walkways in the CBD seem wider and walking around do not feel as suffocating. There is no incessant chatter and the noise level is comparable to that at a neighbourhood park on a weekday. Never have you imagined seeing the CBD on a weekday as if on a weekend, have you? This is probably the closest to an apocalypse that we will see in this lifetime. I felt that I was committing a crime when I stepped out of house the other day for a jiffy to settle an essential matter.
News articles have reported of cleaner air and clearer skies as a result of decreased industrial activities, notably in some other countries, not Singapore. I guess the drop in environmental pollution is the silver lining amidst this pandemic, but ironically many people are unable to revel in the surroundings as they are homebound.
While everywhere is more tranquil and less crowded, it is challenging as we strive to adapt to the changes. Many businesses have been greatly and adversely impacted. Therefore, quitting a job at this juncture is probably suicidal - not a decision one would easily make without having a backup. I did without a backup, but not out of haste. I pondered hard before making the decision - and do not regret it because the push factor was real and compelling. I am certain that some things would not change and I have no power to influence any changes.
I am thankful to the manager who roped me in, and am grateful to have crossed paths with some fun-loving and supportive colleagues. The final month in the company was tremendously enjoyable. Reins on me had loosened, the dread of reporting to work dissipated by day, indulgence and exploration of novel restaurants happened on every other day (before circuit breaker kicked in), and stronger bonds were fostered through more frequent exchanges. Should have spent a sizeable amount of money on food alone, but it was money well spent.
I thought I'd spend more time on constructive matters now, but no, because productive stuff are not fun. I am slowly gaining momentum though, and I hope to keep this going.
Day 8 of the circuit breaker and life goes on.
Like many countries around the globe, Singapore has implemented measures to help curb the spread of Covid-19, such as imposing a fine on those gathering in public, and closing schools. Interestingly, Singapore has refused to call the current situation a lockdown, but a "circuit breaker" - a term that no other country has used. The DORSCON status is still Orange because there is no "uncontrollable outbreak" and contact tracing is still possible. It is apparent that the current status is Red, by definition. It's either the definition needs to be rephrased or politicians just love to extricate from pesky questions by playing with words.
Commuting to Raffles Place for work feels drastically different. Gone are the usual crowds - you can take a 360 degree turn with outstretched arms on the MRT. Boulevards and walkways in the CBD seem wider and walking around do not feel as suffocating. There is no incessant chatter and the noise level is comparable to that at a neighbourhood park on a weekday. Never have you imagined seeing the CBD on a weekday as if on a weekend, have you? This is probably the closest to an apocalypse that we will see in this lifetime. I felt that I was committing a crime when I stepped out of house the other day for a jiffy to settle an essential matter.
News articles have reported of cleaner air and clearer skies as a result of decreased industrial activities, notably in some other countries, not Singapore. I guess the drop in environmental pollution is the silver lining amidst this pandemic, but ironically many people are unable to revel in the surroundings as they are homebound.
While everywhere is more tranquil and less crowded, it is challenging as we strive to adapt to the changes. Many businesses have been greatly and adversely impacted. Therefore, quitting a job at this juncture is probably suicidal - not a decision one would easily make without having a backup. I did without a backup, but not out of haste. I pondered hard before making the decision - and do not regret it because the push factor was real and compelling. I am certain that some things would not change and I have no power to influence any changes.
I am thankful to the manager who roped me in, and am grateful to have crossed paths with some fun-loving and supportive colleagues. The final month in the company was tremendously enjoyable. Reins on me had loosened, the dread of reporting to work dissipated by day, indulgence and exploration of novel restaurants happened on every other day (before circuit breaker kicked in), and stronger bonds were fostered through more frequent exchanges. Should have spent a sizeable amount of money on food alone, but it was money well spent.
I thought I'd spend more time on constructive matters now, but no, because productive stuff are not fun. I am slowly gaining momentum though, and I hope to keep this going.
Day 8 of the circuit breaker and life goes on.
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