May 25, 2021

Realising the harsh reality of COVID-19

I'm a 15 year old girl, living in Oman. I'm only child and i live with my mum and dad. We're a tight knit family and we love spending time together as much as we can. However, the last month has been really tough on us, both physically and mentally.

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This whole pandemic, I was completely oblivious regarding the current situation. Everyday, I complained about the protocols set in place to keep us safe. Moaning about social distancing and groaning rudely when my parents would stop me from going out with friends seemed like a part of my daily routine. And then, one day, it hit me. I had always been told that I would never fully understand the extent of something until it hit me. It was true. I woke up one morning and I was told that my dad was going to get tested, as he showed signs of being positive. "It's just a dust infection it's been really windy lately." "Don't think much of it, I'm sure he'll be perfectly fine." That night, my dad turned out to be positive. We still weren't too worried however, just for precautionary purposes, my mum and I got tested a few days later. We were both negative. A few days later, my mom started showing symptoms too. This was odd since we had both already tested negative. She had a temperature and loss of taste. Once again, we didn't think much of it. She was simply quarantined in another room and that was it. A few days passed and her fever wasn't subsiding. The next morning, she went in for a blood test, X Ray and CT Scan. Still, I wasn't thinking much of it. A few hours later, she gave me a call. "I'm going to be in hospital for a few days, don't worry about me everything is alright. I have fever and pneumonia." It's been 13 days and she still isn't back home. Everyday, she's fighting and everyday. We're fighting mentally too. She's on the road to recovery and we hope to see her home by the end of the week. The most important thing I learnt was to always, always remain positive. Going through this has made me so much mentally stronger and although it's a devastating time, it is really important to try and focus on the good things that come. This has been an experience for me, something I have never gone through before and something I wish to never go through again. However, I know I'm not going through this alone. I wanted to share my story to remind everyone facing a similar situation that this too, shall pass.

May 12, 2021

Getting used to the new normal

I am 16 year old living in Singapore with my family, I enjoy exercising (especially swimming), hanging out with my friends and family and travelling. Although many of these have been restricted and adapted as a result of covid, I have started becoming used to the new normal and found ways to do the things I enjoy.

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Covid and Singapore's circuit breaker last year was a challenge for me, especially being stuck inside and being restricted from doing many of the regular activities I enjoy. Not being able to go swimming everyday and to be able to go out with friends was hard, however I tried to adapt as much as I could. My friends and I would go on regular online group calls and do activities together such as baking, playing games and just talking. As I was unable to attend my usual swim training sessions and had no swimming pool at home, I did lots of other physical activity such as running and circuit training to keep myself fit and healthy so it would be easier when we were finally able to go back to pools.

May 11, 2021

Fear for another lockdown

I am an eighteen year old living in Singapore. Circuit breaker last year was very challenging for me as I found it difficult to stay motivated. I struggled to productively study but one tip is to make a to-do list so you feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

Although Singapore has managed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic better than most countries, it seems like a second wave is about to hit. There are rumours going around about going back in to another circuit breaker (lockdown) in a few days or weeks! I would hate to go back into lockdown because I will miss my friends a lot and I miss out on many physical activities. I hope we can all stay safe, follow the safe distancing rules and avoid going into another lockdown. 

May 19, 2021

COVID separating our family

I am a 16 year old who lives in Singapore. In my family I have my mum, dad younger and older brother. When covid-19 first hit Singapore my whole family was together. We quickly adapted to lockdown, online learning and had created a new dynamic in our family. Loving, caring and fun. December last year my brother moved to Melbourne to go to university and my dad moved to Hong Kong for work. This completely shifted us.

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All of a sudden I felt like I had to keep my family in Singapore together. We can be dysfunctional at times and they're not all that bad, but I felt an obligation to be the one to make them smile. My mum works almost all day and often comes home with migraines. It crushes me to see her miserable and in pain. Along with taking her off her two youngest she looks after her parents in Australia. My grandfather has Alzheimer's and my granny is struggling on her own. I can tell that every day she contemplates going back to look after them. My mum has sacrificed so much for me and so any chance I can give back to her I try. I try and I try afraid that one day it will catch up with her or we will all fall apart. Covid has torn me down in a way that I never expected and made my reality so much more. But It has also made more persistent and love harder.

May 12, 2021

Challenges during HBL

I live in Singapore, I'm 16, I live with my parents and two siblings. Pre-COVID life was essentially the same as it is now except no CCAs and no leaving the house. Ironically I am more active now than Pre-COVID times. Pre-COVID life also had very little "hanging out" which did not change during COVID times except that the hanging out was now digital.

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A major change that I dealt with is certainly the work-play balance during HBL. This was because I felt inefficient during lockdown and felt that I needed to compensate my inefficiency with more work, which backfired. I overcame with with dedicating time for leisure activities.

May 11, 2021

Missing family reunions

I live at California but my brother lives at New Jersey and mom at India. I was able to meet them once a year but it's been more than 1.5 years that I have met them.

It's been very challenging times and have been communicating with family on Whatsapp groups, through pictures, videos of activities. Waiting for vaccinations for everyone and travel to open up to have a family beach town vacation soon!

May 14, 2021

Changing to remote working

I live in a small town in central England, in a flat with my husband, both 33. Pre-covid I was working in a local school, surrounded by hundreds of children! We would often travel to see family and friends, and enjoyed the outdoors and travelling around the world.

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It's been a huge change, and of course challenging at times, but I feel we've been very lucky - we're safe and well, and can work remotely - I now work over Zoom with children all around the world! The UK has been in various states of lockdown over the last year, at times having very limited freedoms (e.g. only being allowed out for exercise and essentials), and even when restrictions have been eased we've not felt very safe to do things, and last year there was even greater anxiety and uncertainty at the beginning, all of which has meant it has unsurprisingly been a psychologically and economically difficult period for everyone. I think the things that have helped most have been keeping in touch with family and friends, making time for exercise and keeping healthy, learning to appreciate places we can walk from our house, finding meaningful work, and finding fun ways to make each day more special.

May 11, 2021

So many missed opportunities!

I'm a 15 year old living in Singapore. I do quite a lot of activities including tennis, math, debate, and robotics.

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Personally, COVID-19 hasn't affected me in any big way, but I think a lot of the little inconveniences add up to make a big impact. I usually used to visit my cousins in the United States every year, but I can't do that anymore, and not having seen them in a long time is really frustrating. Furthermore, so many opportunities that I would usually be able to pursue during non-COVID times have been cancelled. Things such as trips for competitions, where you meet new people and form stronger bonds are essentially nonexistent nowadays. Additionally, not only did spots in summer camps get more limited due to COVID, but any camps I may get into will be online, which takes a lot of the fun out of a camp in the first place. Small things such as these are really the ones which build-up over a long time, and contribute to greater stress levels and whatnot. Hopefully, as the COVID situation gets better (if it ever does), these activities will start up properly again, and I will be able to see my cousins!