Staying safe

It was with great sadness I attended my last mass last Saturday morning at 7am before the temporary cessation of all masses nationwide which commenced at 12 noon that same day. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) that first surfaced in Wuhan is now making its rounds in countries around the world, Singapore being one of them. 

It is like a perfect storm when one reviews the sequence of events. First, officials in Wuhan city who were alerted of the virus’s existence in December disregarded the potential harm of a viral outbreak, followed it up by organizing a mass banquet prepared by 40,000 families in Baibuting on January 18, then allowed five million to leave the city before an eventual lockdown on January 23. 

Then there was the Lunar New Year holidays which began on January 25 and traditionally runs for 15 days and this saw millions of Asians who celebrate the Lunar New Year travel back to their hometowns and overseas. Singapore alone saw thousands of tourists during the festive period. Thus the storm has broken and we now see a viral outbreak that is currently affecting 26 countries globally with over 73,000 reported confirmed cases, and with close to 1,900 reported deaths according to the World Health Organization*, as reported on February 18, 2020. 

I still remember the days of SARS and all the precautions we had to take. Again I am practising all those safety precautions and find great difficulty in adhering strictly to them. I can’t believe how many times I touch my face in a day, just to scratch all those itches that come and go. I am now constantly cleaning my hands such that the skin on my hands is super-dry. The virus is spread predominantly through touch so every surface outside the home is suspect. Every time I hear someone near me cough or sneeze when I am out I cringe internally, fearing virus-laden droplets released in the air. We are at war with an invisible enemy and it is mighty tough for we can forget its presence leading to carelessness, and we cannot see where dangers lurk. Constant vigilance is required.

Archbishop William Goh made a difficult but wise decision to stop all communal gatherings within all parishes. I applaud his decision and support it fully. Given how easily the virus spreads, much like the flu, we cannot afford to be too complacent. Who cares about how others perceive this move and deride Catholics for their “lack of faith”? 

Last Sunday’s readings are fittingly on wisdom and how God has given each of us the power, through the Holy Spirit, to make good and wise decisions in life. If we care about the well-being not just of ourselves but of our loved ones, we must make the necessary and often inconvenient and hard choices. We do the responsible thing: avoid crowded places, drastically cut back on all social engagements - no dining out, no exercise classes, no therapist appointments - and maintain rigorous personal hygiene habits. 

While “attending” mass at home via YouTube is not ideal, I rely on the immanence of God. He is everywhere and dwells mostly within my heart, so making a spiritual communion still connects me to Him. I pray that you stay well and keep safe, and I can’t wait till I can receive Him in the Eucharistic celebration once again.