- Joined
- Jul 11, 2017
- Messages
- 241
- Points
- 63
Pamela Lim
7 hrs ·
When covid19 hits closer
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My heart sunk when I received the news this morning that one of our parents (our student's parent) is infected with covid19 and has been transferred to the ICU. He has a pre heart condition, and was the taxi-driver who drove the Indonesian, who died on March 21 in Singapore.
I have been watching this virus ever since I had to travel to China for work in December last year. So far, I see covid19 as a source of threat and opportunity. Even with the thousands of deaths we see in news reports, I still feel positive that it is not all gloom.
Every time I go into the hotel lobby, I would ask the bell boy what the occupancy rate was that day. It hovers around 20%.
Every time I take a grab or taxi, I would ask how their businesses are affected. Some have to drive an extra day or two, some just go home earlier since there is no business, only one said he still managed to do 90% of the usual business.
One taxi driver told me that if this goes on, he would have problems paying for his three kids' tuition. Another driver told me that many companies are asking their staff to take no-pay leave or work half day.
I have never seen a crisis like this: it is like SARS and 1997 financial crisis all rolled into one, and perhaps worse. Yet, I try to be positive: buying and giving masks, create businesses with those who have lost their jobs, think of new ways of conducting seminars at this time, giving away free language courses to encourage students to stay home to do enrichment.
But now, when it hits hard and you see someone you know fighting for his life in an ICU, I think it is time to stop what we are doing and pray. No matter which god you believe in, let's just stop and pray that there is no additional infection for those fighting for their lives in the hospital beds. That their family will stay strong. That people who are healthy and young will be prudent enough to consider the community in whatever they do. That our government will continue to make good decisions. That the health workers and frontliners will be well-equipped and healthy enough to do their jobs well. That those who can help ourselves do, and reach out to others.
As for our parent, we pray that he will win one battle at a time in the ICU, and that there shall be no complications. Pray that his family will be safe, and pray that everything will be back to normal again for this family.
Stay selfless, stay safe.
7 hrs ·
When covid19 hits closer
===================
My heart sunk when I received the news this morning that one of our parents (our student's parent) is infected with covid19 and has been transferred to the ICU. He has a pre heart condition, and was the taxi-driver who drove the Indonesian, who died on March 21 in Singapore.
I have been watching this virus ever since I had to travel to China for work in December last year. So far, I see covid19 as a source of threat and opportunity. Even with the thousands of deaths we see in news reports, I still feel positive that it is not all gloom.
Every time I go into the hotel lobby, I would ask the bell boy what the occupancy rate was that day. It hovers around 20%.
Every time I take a grab or taxi, I would ask how their businesses are affected. Some have to drive an extra day or two, some just go home earlier since there is no business, only one said he still managed to do 90% of the usual business.
One taxi driver told me that if this goes on, he would have problems paying for his three kids' tuition. Another driver told me that many companies are asking their staff to take no-pay leave or work half day.
I have never seen a crisis like this: it is like SARS and 1997 financial crisis all rolled into one, and perhaps worse. Yet, I try to be positive: buying and giving masks, create businesses with those who have lost their jobs, think of new ways of conducting seminars at this time, giving away free language courses to encourage students to stay home to do enrichment.
But now, when it hits hard and you see someone you know fighting for his life in an ICU, I think it is time to stop what we are doing and pray. No matter which god you believe in, let's just stop and pray that there is no additional infection for those fighting for their lives in the hospital beds. That their family will stay strong. That people who are healthy and young will be prudent enough to consider the community in whatever they do. That our government will continue to make good decisions. That the health workers and frontliners will be well-equipped and healthy enough to do their jobs well. That those who can help ourselves do, and reach out to others.
As for our parent, we pray that he will win one battle at a time in the ICU, and that there shall be no complications. Pray that his family will be safe, and pray that everything will be back to normal again for this family.
Stay selfless, stay safe.
