This week Singapore had a mixed bag with regard to the COVID-19 situation. On the plus side, there are no more active clusters since February 03 with the closure of the last cluster and on the minus side, after two weeks of no community cases, on Thursday, we broke the streak with one locally transmitted case. But I think Singapore is still much better off than most other countries and hopefully this one case does not lead to full blown community cases. Contact tracing is very strong here and everytime we enter a new place (not residences), we have to scan a QR code with a government mandated app which will allow the ministry of health to get in touch with us in case someone with COVID-19 symptoms was in the same place as us. In fact inside malls, other than scanning the app when you enter the mall, you also have to scan the QR code each time you enter and exit and the store to register your presence. It may seem a bit 1984ish, but if it keeps us safe, then I am all for it.

Worldwide, we have reached nearly 62 million cases with the United States as usual leading the pack. This is the Thanksgiving weekend in the States and seeing how many people have travelled to be with family, I think we can all safely assume that an explosion of cases from the country can be expected in a couple of weeks, just in time for Christmas! Mumbai has started testing those who arrive from certain states upon arrival at train and bus stations as well as the domestic airport and there was a video circulating in Whatsapp groups about the huge crowd that one could see at one of the terminus stations and the common refrain was that this was a disaster waiting to happen. Again let’s see what happens in my city a couple of weeks from now.

The children are busy with school work and projects and will probably go through some mid-term exams before they go on a two week break for Christmas. As for me, work-wise, I have entered the quiet period which usually characterises this time of the year. I am also missing my parents as it is exactly a year since I last saw them. It’s been a year since we have left the house for anything other than errands and I am feeling it. But to be safe, we have to be inside and I realise this, but I can whine about it, right?

As you head into the holidays, please stay safe and masked and if you have the elderly, vulnerable and immunocompromised living with you, please spare some thought to their safety as well. They may not be able to fight off the disease as easily as you can, should you give it to them.

This week has been not as productive as I hoped it would be. I have been sitting on something for more than two weeks now, but because of the week leading to Diwali and then me not being as productive as I would have loved to be this week, the end is near, but I have not yet gotten there! Hopefully, I am able to pull up my straps this week and get things done.

While the world is watching the real reality show that is the US Presidential elections, the number of cases have exceeded 57 million with no real end in sight. Many countries and regions are reporting second, third or even fourth waves and I am sure everyone is waiting with bated breaths about the news of the vaccines by many pharma companies.

The United States has crossed the 12 million mark in cases and India is in spitting distance of the 10 million mark leaving the third highest hit country Brazil far behind with just abouve 6 million cases. In Singapore, yesterday, for the 11^th day in a row, we have not had any local community cases. All reported cases, mostly in the single digits, have been imported cases from travellers into Singapore. Also the travel bubble which is supposed to start from today between Singapore and Hong Kong has been hit because of the new wave that has hit Hong Kong. As per the news yesterday, the two governments have postponed the first flight which was supposed to start today by two weeks to early December because of the new escalation of COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong. This is certainly bad news for those who booked tickets to Hong Kong during the school holidays. Though I seriously wonder what they will do there since the situation is not that good and there are high chances they are just replacing their home for a tiny hotel room since HK real estate is so bad and room sizes are really small.

This was our update for the week, so be very careful especially in those places which are heading into the festive season. Be mindful of the elderly, the vlnerable and the immunocompromised in your family and stay safe! Remember to use masks to protect youself and those around you.

It’s the Diwali weekend and to everyone who is celebrating the festival, here’s wishing you all a very Happy Diwali! Hope the festival of lights brings your way bright sparkles of peace, contentment, joy, and happiness which stays with you throughout this year and also in the years to come. May the lamp of joy remain illuminated in your life now and forever.

I was super busy this week making sweets and savouries for the festival and by the time Friday came around, I was exhausted. I wonder if this is because I split it across the whole week or if it is because I am getting old! Previously when I used to do it across one weekend, it didn’t seem so hectic, so I guess it’s age catching up with me! Anyway, other than this and doing some deep cleaning in the house, we didn’t do much. The children are busy with school, assignments and project work.

Because this weekend is the beautiful festival of lights, lets spread some positivity. I turned to my favourite source and here are some feel good quotes from Pinterest.

Stay safe people and enjoy the festive weekend!

Its Diwali this Saturday and we are starting our Diwali prep. I have planned to make some sweets and savouries, doing a bit each day, so that I don’t get overwhelmed and don’t have to do everything on one day.

Most households also do spring cleaning during this time and though it is not technically spring, but more of a winter cleaning, this is to get everyone ready for the dark winter months. Other than a cursory cleaning, I am postponing my deep and intensive cleaning for December when things are more quet at work and I have more time.

I woke up this morning to see that news agencies have called the US elections. I am glad that Americans have voted for hope and stability and the world can breathe easy. I remember back in 2016 when I was so invested in the election outcome that I was so anxious about it and was so upset when the outcome I was hoping you didn’t materialise. This year, I am not so anxious, maybe because like millions of other people, I hope that Americans take the correct decision and make the right choice, which they have done.

Singapore is continuing to post single digit positive cases with the bulk of the cases coming in from those who enter the country as opposed to local and community transmissions. We currently have about 50 plus active cases in total in the country of which less than 35 are in hospitals and the others in community isolation facilities.

Positive cases around the world now has reached the 50 million mark with the United States leading with more than 10 million cases, India in the second position with about 8.5 million cases and Brazil in third place with more than 5.6 million cases.

Stay safe and masked people!

Another month has passed by and we are in the fag end of 2020! This year has been strange for everyone and I for one will be glad to see the end of this year. Maybe 2021 will bring the world a beacon of hope and joy?

Singapore has been seeing single digit COVD cases for the past few weeks with none to a couple of cases in the community and dormitories. The bulk of the cases are imported and are coming from travellers entering Singapore, either as visitors or as residents returning home. So there is some hope there.

On the other hand, Europe has been seeing a new wave and I am now worried that India will experience one soon. Last week, someone in S’ extended family had a wedding in India which was streamed live for those unable to make it. We were surprised to see that firstly people are having weddings at this time when things are so unsettled. Secondly, most people were not maintaining social distancing and not wearing masks while inside the hall. To give them credit where due, there were not too many people in the wedding hall, maybe around 50-60 maximum, and those that were there may be close family to the bride and groom. But I saw so many in the audience not wearing masks and sitting so close to each other that I was wondering if they were not worried about getting sick. There’s another wedding coming up in the new year, this time in Singapore and we can’t avoid this one because not only is it within the close family, but also because it is here and we can make it. But I am hoping that because the situation in Singapore is better and the protocols more strictly followed, not only will we mandated to wear masks, but we also will be sitting in a socially distanced manner.

Ah well, we can only hope that people get sensible soon and things can get back to normal. If not, then governments should start fining them if that’s what it will take. I read recently that in Mumbai, people who don’t wear masks will be fined Rs 200 and if they don’t have the money to pay or can’t pay, they will have to sweep the streets for a specified amount of time. I really like this idea and hope its not a flash in the pan and people realise that they can make a difference just by being safe and wearing a mask and staying socially distant when outside.

Stay safe folks!