Another week, and we are still in the grip of the novel coronavirus. S’ organisation has started a round the clock monitoring, which means he now has started to work in shifts!

Singapore is now on Orange according to the Dorscon Alert levels. This means the disease is severe and spreads easily from person to person, but is not widely spread in the country and is being contained. We are all praying that we do not go into the Red Zone as that will mean the disease is severe and spreading rapidly!

The children and I are mostly housebound, especially since earlier this week, there are now cases of local transmissions. This means that people who did not travel to China were infected, including a six month old baby! Some were infected by tourists from China who interacted with them during their stay here and have either been isloated in hospitals here or have left the country, while others have been infected without any contact with the till now known cases.

My heart just went out to this baby who has been isloated in a children’s hospital. His/her parents and helper have all been infected and have been isloated in various hospitals and infectious disease centres. Imagine a six month old baby, far away from their loved ones!

Since we are mostly at home, I have started reading with a vengence again! I am ahead of my reading goals for this year, but lets see how much and how long I can sustain this.

Have a great week folks! And stay safe and healthy!

We are in the month of February now! But the start of this month has not been good for not only us, but for the world also!

By now, if you must have heard of the Wuhan coronavirus which has now been declared a global health emergancy by the World Health Organisation. China, which is the epicentre of this virus has over 12,000 confirmed cases, and as you read this post, the number of confirmed cases has probably increased by a few more thousands. China’s death toll is also close to 300 now. This supasses the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak that began in southern China, which infected 8,098 people worldwide, killing 774. It didn’t help that the start of the outbreak coincided with the mass migration that happens each year in China at the start of the Lunar New Year.

More than 20 countries and territories outside of mainland China have confirmed cases of the virus — spanning Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East — as the United Kingdom reported its first two cases on Friday. Singapore has now barred entry, including transit, to all new visitors from mainland China while residents flying in from China will need to quarantine themselves for 14 days.

Other than this, we have been mostly home and are avoiding crowded public places as much as possible. Though there are no local and community transmissions in Singapore, this can change anytime, so please stay safe people.

Have a happy and healthy February!

Today is the second day of the Chinese Lunar New Year and to all readers who celebrate this festival, “Xin Nian Kuai Le“. This is the year of the Metal Rat.

Our week was the usual, with the children being themselves. We got both of them new phones since that was something I was planning to do for a while now since they will be starting new phase in life, but because of their good O level results, we did this earlier than expected.

Other than that, I am enjoying the slower pace of life these days because of Chinese New Year. The city pretty much comes to a standstill during this period and its nice to just stay at home and chill.

We are also going across the causeway for an engagement in the extended family, but that’s something I am excited about going and not excited about being stuck in the causeway traffic jam.

Have a wonderful week and to those living in the region, enjoy your CNY break!

Tomorrow is the day. In slightly over 24 hours we will know how GG & BB will fare in their O level exams. GG’s anxiety is over the roof and she will flare at anyone who dares cross her path. We have been giving her a wide berth over the last few days. I am also giving her more cuddles and reassurances lately. BB on the other hand, is more chill, but as we countdown to the results, I can see some anxiety in him, but it’s not as bad as GG.

I am slowly getting back into my work frame of mind and getting into the routine I had before I went on holiday. It’s taking longer than I expected, but I guess, this is because I am getting older!

I still haven’t figured out what I want to do this year with my life, but I want to think things over thoroughly before coming to a decision, so that I don’t break them the first chance I get.

If anyone can send some positives vibes our side, please do so, so that tomorrow, we are happy and the tears in their eyes are those of happiness and not sadness!

Have a wonderful week!