COVID-19 Diaries: The Coronavirus Situation In Singapore, 73 Days In

Elizabethheartz, who we interviewed last year, is a half-Taiwanese Singaporean content creator who runs an online business and shuttles often between Singapore, Taiwan and Japan for collaborations. We asked her for updates on the coronavirus situation in Singapore, 3432km from Wuhan, and found out what she’s doing to keep her business and teenage daughter healthy in spite of it.

Q: Hi Elizabeth, thanks for coming back on LUCK-IT to share updates on the coronavirus situation here in Singapore! When did you first hear about the 2019-nCoV coronavirus and what did you think of it then? 

A: I read about articles on it online on FB [Facebook] when it was first announced. So many people were sharing it.

How concerned are you now? How many people do you personally know who’ve been affected by the coronavirus?

I have not known anyone personally that is a suspect/confirmed case. I seriously think that most people are over-reacting. The ratio of confirmed cases isn’t that alarming if you are to look at it. There are worse outbreaks happening around the world that are having thousands of deaths happening.

How many cases are there in Singapore at the moment of this interview? How concerned is Singapore at this point?

Currently as of 12 Feb, 1200h, there are 50 confirmed cases. 638 tested negative, 125 are pending tests and 15 have been discharged. It is sad to know that there are people who try to make a fortune out of the situation, and that there are also people who are spreading fake news or unreasonable hate/bitterness. News from overseas of empty supermarkets somehow led to locals to do the same the moment we reached the orange stage [of Singapore’s Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON)—there are 4 stages, orange being the 3rd most severe of 4 conditions].

What is the status of food, water and medical supplies like masks in stores in Singapore right now? And how long do you think you can last with the stock you have at home at the moment?

Currently some household supplies, storage food and medical supplies are out of stock at the moment. Many people are trying to import in bulk from overseas. I have yet to stock up as I usually do it once a month. Currently I have enough stock to last me a month, and longer if I use them carefully. Food and water wise, there ARE an abundance of options available; we can always buy alternatives. Mainstream supermarkets may be out of stock, but hey, try other places and smaller grocery stores. They are available (except medical items)!

Do you still go out? If so, what precautions do you take when, and before and after, going out?

As a global content creator, yes, I do need to go out for collaborations and even travelling. As my health has been on a weaker side, my mom is very concerned and insists I wear a mask out if I’m going to places with more crowds. I’ll check that I have my sanitiser and anti-bacterial wet wipes (I always had them before the virus) with me, and bathe immediately when I reach home. I try to stay at home, as much as I can.

You are a mother, so how worried are you about your child contracting the virus within Singapore? Are you doing anything special to keep her safe? 

I will always double check her sanitiser and anti-bacterial wet wipes for school, and always remind her to sleep early, drink more water, eat healthy and take her supplements to maintain her immune system. It is important to educate her well.

You are also a retailer, so how has your business been affected by the outbreak of the virus in Singapore?

Thankfully, I closed the pop up store in Dec, so I happen to be taking a break. As my business also runs online, it is pretty easy to operate online. Currently, there aren’t any cosplay events either, so nobody is in any rush to get any costumes.

Has your work schedule or conditions been affected by the coronavirus? If so, what has changed? 

As someone who manages her own time, it did not affect much for me. I’ll just need to plan and schedule properly in advance and try to stay at home if possible.

What will you do if you develop the symptoms of the virus? What do the officials in Singapore recommend you do?

I’ll definitely go for a check up asap to avoid spreading it to others. It is better to be safe and responsible for everyone’s sake.

What will you do if the coronavirus situation in Singapore takes a turn for the worse?

I’ll heed advice that our government provides and stay calm, practice awareness and be vigilant about it. If it’s fated to happen, so be it. No point over-thinking and over-reacting.

Which 3 items or people are most useful for you right now? 

Currently its my sanitiser, mask and anti-bacterial wet wipes.

Lastly, what have you learned from this coronavirus outbreak that you didn’t know before?

I can totally understand the frustration of those who could not buy the supplies they need. However we should spread awareness, not irrational hate. Times like this, we HAVE to encourage and help one another to fight against it.

Elizabethheartz is presently pursuing her goals of providing better for herself and her girl, as well as prioritising quality collaborations to give more value to her readers. You may spot her doing LIVE chats on her Facebook page or at Orchard Road (“Orchard is like my second home, I go there a lot due to collaborations and hanging out.”). You may also drop her messages or share your updates of the coronavirus situation in Singapore using the comment box below.

Tomorrow, we’ll chat with another self-employed person in Singapore—who has 2 babies, a wife, a flat and a car to support—about how he is going to cope with the poor economy caused by COVID-19. Follow the latest in our COVID-19 Diaries series here.

If you’re in China right now or have been affected by the novel coronavirus and would like to share information about the situation where you’re at, do get in touch with us here.

Other interviews with Elizabethheartz:
Why I’ve Been Cosplaying For 24 Years, and How I Get Paid To Do It

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Elizabethheartz. Interviewer: Sy
Sponsor or support the COVID-19 Diaries series here.
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