I'm Debbie, from Singapore, a very sunny island! I spent lockdown at home. I learnt to be resourceful, be flexible in handling IT tools for teaching and meetings and to still carry out what I like, whilst being in the home environment. It may be a good thing I am introverted so spending time alone or at home is really ok. I did miss going for brunches with family and meals with friends but that was compensated by cooking!
This pandemic has taught me to be flexible, to be thankful, for systems (whether government or not) that have clear instructions, to be socially responsible and take one’s and others’ health seriously, to take social distancing and precautions seriously (sometimes over personal freedom), and to know what are the bigger things that are more important to people. I feel if you love yourself and care about others you will be able to see the need to follow some important national instructions. This pandemic allowed me to observe different countries ways of handling the pandemic. No one is perfect or the best and everyone has suffered in some way. I think for Singapore having survived during SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) years back allowed us to also be a bit more prepared and resilient this time round. There are many lessons we have learnt in policy making and it is always a learning journey. That is what makes living and surviving an experience.