Here in Singapore, we live largely without fear of COVID19. Of course, it dominates the news cycle (together with the absurd aftermath of the U.S. presidential election) as the virus surges in Europe and the U.S. But here, business carries on and we enjoy relative normalcy.
Yes, masks are mandatory the minute we step outside our doors. Yes, we have the Trace Together app running in the background, monitoring our entry and exit of establishments. Yes, our gatherings are limited to five. Yes, if we leave the country we must apply for re-entry, test negative, and quarantine for 14 days in a hotel. And yes, if we violate any of these, heavy fines could be imposed and/or our work permits revoked.
These preventive measures have enabled me to fully immerse in my new life without reservation. We dine two or three times a week with different people, seeing who “clicks” as new friends (some say the first year of an expat assignment is like a cocktail party: you meet a dizzying array of people and repeat the same conversations…true, so far!). I’m enrolled in a tennis clinic with about twenty other women. Stores and businesses are open. We’re going to see live theatre on Friday night. Discussions are underway for opening travel between Singapore and Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Fiji, and other countries where the risk of transmission is low. Relative normalcy.
But I ache for the rest of the planet. My heart hurts when I think of Siri and Leo’s challenging university experience this year and the impossibility of their visiting us in Singapore any time soon. I feel for anyone who is making hard decisions not to see their loved ones. I especially feel for the healthcare workers and educators who can’t seem to catch a break. And I hope and pray that a year from now, this will be mostly in our rearview mirror.
Over the past month the Indian community has been preparing for Deepavali or Diwali, the Celebration of Light and India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. I’m told most Indian festivals celebrate good overcoming evil, light overcoming darkness, and the giving and receiving of gifts and gratitude. According to one source, “the festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.”
From this little island nation, I send love and positive energy that the rest of the world can embrace their inner light in these hard times. Happy Diwali!
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