We are living in times of unchartered waters. This pandemic of 2020 is still persisting. We never ever thought we would live in a time such as this. Something so small and invisible, yet so powerful that it can destroy lives.
Since finishing our government's mandated stay home notice (SHN) of 14 days, we moved to mummy's grandma's place where we have been for more than 2 months now. It's been hard I won't lie - mainly psychologically and mentally. Everyday is Groundhog Day - same same but different. We live from day to day, many times unsure of which day of the week it is. The only difference we feel is when Sunday comes and we are reminded to tune in to our church's online service. Even so, mummy has to admit that staying focussed on a church service takes more willpower these days.
The Singapore government imposed a period called "Circuit Breaker", a fancy term for 'lockdown'. We were only allowed out to get essentials. We all have to wear masks or risk a fine. We all have to practice social distancing. To protect you kids, we kept you both at home. Isabelle often asks me about going to the playground and exclaims loudly "Mummy, the playground is still closed!" "Yes baby it still is sadly. Once it opens, mummy will bring you ok? That's often my reply to her. Shops are mostly closed, and to get into a shopping mall now requires us to "check in" and "check out" using our mobile phones or scanning our ICs. (Mummy does wonder about privacy and freedom in such situations).
During this time, there has been many initiatives to thank our frontline heros, mainly the care workers in hsospitals who risk their health and lives to help the Covid-19 patients. In the UK, they started the Clap for the NHS every Thursday at 8pm. Kids were all inspired to hang rainbow coloured artwork in their windows as an act of thanks and to also cheer people up. There is a certain solidarity. Here in Singapore, there was something similar, started by someone who saw how successful the "Clap for the NHS" was in the UK. So we had one of those, and then to jazz it up, the government had a singalong session of Home for everyone. That was pretty cool when Izzy was waving my mobile phone with the light switched on. You were looking at everybody in the opposite block curiously, telling me "Mummy, they are not sleeping!"
At the same time, we had mummy's friends who sent us care packs, bless them. Uncle Ed also came by to drop off snacks and a bubble stick for you guys. Auntie Corinne sent us some ice cream; Aunt Cynthia sent us some Ilao Ilao yoghurt. Both much to Isabelle's great delight. "Zoom" is also the app of the moment. More power to the owner(s) of Zoom during this crisis, because almost everyone uses it to do video calls - families, friends, colleagues, schools. Mummy used Zoom to talk to her close friends a few times just because we cannot meet up physically.
Finally one morning, Mummy brought you Isabelle downstairs to buy some breakfast. That was an eye opener for me because I didn't realise the impact of this lockdown on you Izzy. You were so afraid of people! I guess with everyone wearing masks, it doesn't make you feel any better. You were hiding behind me, asking me to carry you, and even stopping at times when you see a stranger walking towards us. That was when mummy realised we had to bring you out a bit more!
The first time you two finally left the house together was when we visited your grandparents' place last Sunday to meet everyone. You both took a while to warm up but I was glad to see Izzy laughing happily by the time we left.
Life will possibly never be the same again, until the vaccine is developed. I feel sad for you both because what childhood is this, if everyone needs to wear a mask and there are so many restrictions in what you can or can't do. I just wish life to be pre Covid.
Even though it is hard, I know you kids are more resilient and adaptable than us adults. Isabelle has never once complained about not being able to go out. I think it is mummy who needs to be more resilient and adaptable. Let's continue to stay strong together and pray for our lives to be normal soon.
Love,
Mummy xxx
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