Author: Leo Goh

Can you remember the last time you saw your friends or colleagues? It’s been so long that I personally cannot remember anymore. In the name of flattening the curve and being socially responsible, the only way to connect with our loved ones is through virtual means such as video calling and texting. If you’re a more sentimental person like I am, you can send care packages or old school snail mail to let your friends know that you’re thinking of them. If you’re thinking of something above food and mail, perhaps you can try sending a message in a bottle.…

As much as it is important to process the ever-changing pandemic reality we live in, sometimes we need to take a breather. Escapism often denotes negative connotations, but given how unprecedented these times are, I don’t think it hurts to not think about the virus once in a while (in a socially responsible way of staying at home of course). In this week’s Netflix Mondays, I bring you six shows that will fully envelop your sensory receptors and transport you to an alternative reality with rich plotlines and beautiful cinematography. These recommended shows allow us to wistfully escape during this…

If you’re like me and require a form of escape from this CB reality that does not involve the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol, seek solace in the narrations of the Harry Potter series by celebrities! Perhaps you don’t need to escape as badly as I do and would simply like to catch up on re-living the magic that fuelled your childhood, what better way to go through a book than to have it narrated to you. Wizarding World is the official website for all things Harry Potter and recently introduced Harry Potter At Home, an initiative in which allows…

Ah, the concept of socialising outside the house in an enclosed space with a room full of people sounds like an urban myth now. Can you imagine life after COVID-19? Will we be forced to social distance in cinemas and outdoor areas? Can you imagine clubbing with a mask on? Will we be so restricted outdoors that it’ll be no different than staying inside? I digress, less pessimistic thoughts and let’s focus on the positives! Our favourite 80s-themed discotheque, Cherry, will be launching their official website and merchandise today, on 8th May 2020 at 8.20 PM (2020 hours). The first…

Are you going insane from being stuck inside during CB? Or perhaps you’ve lost your job or would like to moonlight for some extra cash given the impending recession. You don’t want to limit yourself to just delivering food and don’t mind doing other tasks for cash. This is where the Outside App comes in. Made in Singapore, the Outside App is an app which allows people to get paid for fulfilling tasks. Listing a task on the app is easy, with six different categories to pick from. The categories are as follows: General, Cleaning, Courier, Fixing, Pet Care…

With all this time at home, I would believe that now more than ever would you be an expert on your view outside your window or with the view that you face the most as you work from home. Do you find yourself staring wistfully into the distance sometimes, head full of thoughts, yearning to leave the house once more? Or are you fascinated by the fact that your neighbours would water their plants and rearrange their shoe rack every day at the same time, donning their masks as they keep up with their chores? Perhaps you can relate to…

NB: This is a fictional account of what Singapore might look like after Circuit Breaker measures end. “Thank you, Singapore, for once again voting for the PAP! On top of having the honour to serve you once again, I am also proud to announce the end of circuit breaker, alongside the complete eradication of COVID-19 in Singapore!” PM Lee’s victory speech plays through my Airpods as I tune into a news podcast, catching up with the whirlwind of change since the PAP reigned supreme once again. A shiver runs down the length of my spine as I acclimatise to the…

We have a month left of circuit breaker (unless it somehow gets extended) and I’m confident that part of our new normal now is video calls. May it be Skype, Google Meet or Zoom, I’m pretty sure you and your colleagues have been guilty of judging your fellow colleague’s backgrounds as your mind slowly drift off from your meeting. I would know, whenever I participate in a video call, three times out of five would the other people on the call comment on my very full dry shelf in the background. Personally, I enjoy the comments. It’s nice to see…

It seems that the COVID-19 situation has stabilised in Thailand for the Thai government announced on 30 April 2020 that some of its public spaces will be made open on 3 May 2020, with social distancing measures in place. This decision was made after much consideration and would help Thailand regain its economic momentum after its imposed curfews and ban on foreign tourists on 26 March 2020. Known as a hot tourist destination, I wonder how long it’ll take for Thailand to open its borders to international visitors again. Some of of the public spaces that will be open include…

I know I’m being dramatic when I say that it feels like it’s been forever since Circuit Breaker measures have been enforced. I’ve taken refuge at my dining table because I cannot work anywhere else in this crowded home filled with all sorts of knick-knacks. I have had to fight my father for a seat at the table when dinner time comes—”I’m working!” I would yell. Long story short, I’m losing my mind. And it’s safe to say that a majority of Singaporeans are losing theirs too. I would say that we are quite on edge. Now, a chance to…

Talk about priorities am I right? Yes, you read the title right, Minister for Social and Family Development, Desmond Lee announced on Facebook that a bill will be introduced to Parliament on 4 May 2020 which would allow the solemnisation of civil and Muslim marriages remotely. Can you imagine getting married virtually? Through a Zoom meeting or a Google hangout call? Glad to see that our country is still trying to keep things as per ‘normal’ by letting those who really want to officiate their marriage do so. Should the bill pass, couples where one party is a Singaporean or…

The novel coronavirus has turned our world upside down. It has forced us to stay home, disrupting every single way we would typically go about our days. With the lack of information we initially had about COVID-19, we went from ‘only wear a mask if you’re sick’, to rationing our masks, to ‘wear a mask whenever you leave your place of residence if not you’ll be fined S$300’ in about two months. I am thankful for the government’s swift response to this everchanging pandemic. Still, I’m sure everyone is starting to feel a bit of whiplash from the rapid developments…

On 6 April 2020, our Finance Minister, Mr Heng Swee Kiat announced the Solidarity Budget to parliament, three days after PM Lee first introduced the Circuit Breaker measures. It’s almost a month, we’ve been home for about four weeks now, PM Lee’s initial announcement feels like a lifetime ago. In the Solidarity Budget, Minister Heng provided additional support to self-employed persons, and now automatically included people who also earn some income from employment work. The Self-Employed Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) objective is to help Singaporean self-employed persons (SEPs) tide over these uncertain economic times. SEPs eligible for SIRS will receiver…

Enjoy a taste of nostalgia during these extended circuit breaker times with Sailor Moon! If you’ve exhausted your ‘My List’ of shows on Netflix and don’t have the emotional bandwidth to start binging a new series, transport yourself back to the golden age of Cartoon Network—the 90s and get ready to lose yourself in the upcoming 127 episodes of your favourite champions of justice. Previously, you could only watch the animated series on Hulu, an online streaming service, but now, you can watch the first three seasons of the series for free, on Youtube. This is all in anticipation for…

I’m sure the nation collectively groaned when PM Lee announced the four-week extension of the current circuit breaker measures. At this point, we’ve been confined to our homes for three weeks, slowly but surely getting used to our extended time indoors. Here at Hype & Stuff, we’re always trying our best to help you get past these extraordinary times with suggestions of what you can do at home during your spare time. From workouts, entertaining reads on how Singapore adapts to life with COVID-19, to Netflix Mondays—our weekly Netflix recommendations to make sure you never run out of things to…