COVID-19: What Would It Take to End This Extended Circuit Breaker?

June 1st. That’s the date we’ve marked on our calendars and are desperately counting down to. Who would’ve thought the day would come where you’d miss your morning commute to work or school and miss holding your affordable lunches from your favourite Kopitiam so closely to your heart.

As agonising as this reality is, it’s only right for the extension to be put in place as we don’t want an uprising of a second wave of infection. The sequel to a circuit breaker sounds like a nightmare that would frighten me beyond my wildest dreams, and I know no one wants it to become a reality. So, if you’re wondering what it takes for this DORSCON CB to end, here it is.

Boomers stop queuing at markets and Zoomers don’t rush for Bubble Tea

There’s a clear understanding that crowds will inevitably promote the spread of the virus, and we’re no stranger to this. We’re quick to criticise others when they breach this rule, and yet we turn a blind eye when the goods purchased are our own ‘necessities’.

You love bubble tea; I get it. But will you die if you don’t queue for 45 minutes to get a cup of earl grey milk tea from GongCha? There are endless complaints about boomers panic buying and crowding at supermarkets these past few weeks. Yet these complaining hypocrites are themselves queuing up amongst crowds to get bubble tea.

When nobody leaves their home to eat Bak Kut Teh

We’ve all heard of the infamous incident of the businessman returning from Myanmar flouting his stay home notice to eat Bak Kut Teh. The shady excuse that accompanied him was that he thought SHN started the following day, which we know runs quite far from the truth.

If people continue to disregard notices given by authorities or fail to see the degree of importance in abiding by them, the likelihood of the virus spreading increases, it doesn’t matter for what purpose it is that you’re leaving your house, even if you’re wearing a mask.

If you’ve received instructions to stay home, then it’s as clear as day—don’t leave your house. Not even for necessities. You could be putting several lives in danger with your selfish acts.

When we treat Migrant Workers like human beings

I’m sure that by now, you understand what their situation is like. There’s a massive spike in cases amongst migrant workers due to aggressive testing being conducted, and many of these cases discovered involved workers showing no signs of sickness.

The spread can only end if we start treating them like human beings rather than putting them in congested and tightly enclosed spaces to live amongst each other. If everyone is not given the space and proper resources for the virus to be contained, the matter will exacerbate. We have to continue to lend our voices and show concern for our migrant friends so that their living conditions continue to improve beyond COVID-19.

When the government doesn’t have to close any more parks

HPB has been trying to get everyone in Singapore to exercise since 2001, but COVID-19 has brought to life their dystopian nightmare. Just as CB began, the whole nation was cascaded with a sudden eagerness to exercise at parks—who knew that a pandemic would inspire people to be fitness enthusiasts?

Unfortunately, this drive to chase a healthy lifestyle resulted in massive crowds appearing in parks and beaches. Now, popular sites such as East Coast and West Coast Park are closed as people fail terribly at social distancing.

However, this isn’t the time to find loopholes and rush over to lesser-known locations such as SunPlaza Park to exercise. The crowds would be even worse there as it’s smaller and accommodates even fewer people. If you survived your whole life not exercising at the park, restraining yourself now won’t be a problem.

When the COVIDIOTS FB page shut down, and there’s no one else left to expose

Oi, #StayhomeforSG lah Still Gathering? #Tampines #COVIDー19 #SGUnited #Circuitbreakersg pic.twitter.com/qEf1qjX6sX

— All Singapore Stuff (@allsgstuff) April 21, 2020

Several videos are circulating online as people attempt to expose those not following the present safety measures. Though I understand that these documentations intend to shame people for neglecting regulations, there’s no point in shouting and screaming at them. A gentler approach or reminder would suffice.

But this does not make those filmed innocent. If they weren’t out and about and didn’t give themselves a reason to be caught in the first place, then no such videos would exist. There wouldn’t be any aggressive screaming or harassment as there wouldn’t be anyone to shout at.

However, if you happen to catch someone red-handed, try kindly educating them instead. There are law enforcement officers in place to punish those who continue to break the rules, so you don’t have to assume authority because you’re in absolutely no position to do so.

When people stop spitting in the faces of F&B workers

This is a profoundly mindless act because spit is an even more direct transmission of the virus.

But the point is, for the circuit breaker to end, we have to practice graciousness and extend respect everywhere we go to everyone we meet. Just because there are not many around to catch you in the act, doesn’t mean that you can go about with your inhumane actions.

Public tension can result in more cases as people tend to become more confrontational and disregard social distancing amidst anger. This leads to not just a possible spread in infection but also creates a crack in our community that we cannot afford to have in such troubling times.

If we all work together and care for one another, then we can emerge out of this DORSCON CB fully intact with non-deranged minds. Let’s make the best of the next month or so and do whatever we possibly can to ensure there isn’t another extension that has to be put in place. I, like many others, desperately need to go out and be rid of this cabin fever.