Singapore Needs Compassion To Get Through ‘Circuit Breaker’ As A Nation
It’s day 6 of the ‘Circuit Breaker’ and Singaporeans aren’t taking it well.
If you’re not binge eating or baking furiously, you’ve probably baked enough for an army, tried every variation of Dalgona Coffee and finished watching every show on Netflix’s top 10 list.
That is, if you’re lucky enough to enjoy working from home or home-based learning comfortably.
This Singaporean took to Facebook to remind us to be compassionate to everyone who’s struggling during the ‘Circuit Breaker’, regardless of what their struggle may entail.
Some may never recover financially from Covid-19
In the Facebook post, the netizen talked about how staying at home is a comfortable experience for those who can afford it, but comes as a great financial burden to others.
Though the government has given most companies aid to deter them from retrenching employees, many have still lost their jobs. Others lack a steady source of income now that Covid-19 has hurt multiple sectors of the economy.
The health crisis has also impacted those without financial means to stock up on food and other necessities. Ordering food isn’t possible either, since delivery fees are so expensive, and food isn’t cheap either, points out the netizen.
Staying at home induces anxiety in some
Beyond financial struggles, the OP shares his battle with anxiety and cleithrophobia — the fear of being trapped.
‘Circuit Breaker’ measures and staying home has caused the netizen and others afflicted with psychological disorders a great deal of stress — which may eventually take a toll on their mental health.
For the rest of us who are working from home, studying or enjoying our retirement, we may also feel residual impacts of the crisis on our mental health.
These sudden drastic lifestyle changes can definitely causes stress while people are adapting to new rules social distancing rules as they come.
Spending 24/7 with your loved ones must be handled carefully
With all the members of a household now at home 24/7, the netizen writes that we may begin to unintentionally step on each others’ toes.
Whether it’s an overly-energetic kid or sibling tensions — petty arguments and short-lived shouting matches could ensue without proper management.
For others with precarious home situations, preventing arguments could be a matter of safety for them.
Domestic violence rates have shot up in other countries where people are confined to their homes, so we must do our best to maintain our relationships with the constraints we’ve been served.
Let people do what they do best
Being stuck indoors due to social distancing measures could mean cancelling our weekly mahjong parties. While this isn’t going to make any of us happy, we turn to the next best outlet — setting social media abuzz with our complaints.
The hard truth is that non-constructive feedback isn’t going to help our loved ones. So the writer believes that we should,
Let the governments govern. Let the scientists science.
In fact, misinformation sometimes aggravates a volatile situation, especially when people feel that they are exempt from rules.
Weathering the tempest together
Many of us who have the financial means to get through this difficult period comfortably should reach out to those who struggle to make ends meet.
In the writer’s own words,
We are all in the same boat, but we are not in the same storm.
Though we may have different individual circumstances, that doesn’t mean we can’t support each other through the tempest, right?
Be kinder and more compassionate this ‘Circuit Breaker’
The Solidarity Budget is a good reminder of what we need — beyond $600 for every adult Singaporean. As the name suggests, solidarity is key — supporting our fellowmen in this fight against Covid-19.
All of us – including the government – will find this period difficult.
Harsh complaints and unfounded criticism isn’t going to change our situation for the better, so let’s be a little more understanding towards each other.
The bottom line is, stick to the rules, wear your masks, stay at home & be compassionate.
Everyone is doing their best to get through this tough time, and we should encourage the effort instead of discounting it.
Featured image adapted from John T. on Unsplash.
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