When you try online dating during the crisis and find your future partner

Singapore, Laksha, Singapore, 35, -, Married/Kids: None

General

How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
After many months, it seems to be under control thanks to effort by the government and citizens/residents.

How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
It went from fear/panic in the earlier months to more trust in the authorities and relief all around. Initially there was a panic buying of food, shortages of masks/ sanitisers and people adjusting to being primarily indoors. Now people have become more accepting of the situation, some have come to appreciate human bonds and take breathers from working in a fast-paced life.

How are you and your family?
My family lives overseas and I live alone in Singapore. We are all doing alright.

What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
Living alone, my biggest challenge was dealing with lack of social interaction and depression.

My biggest challenge was dealing with lack of social interaction and depression.

Measures

When did you realize how serious the situation is?
Initially when the news started spreading about this new virus and the Wuhan lockdown. When the numbers of patients and deaths kept rising on a global level, I felt it was very serious.

How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
The government reacted swiftly with leaders addressing concerns of the people, enforcing strict social distancing measures and doing contact tracing. Later there were other measures like lots of awareness, payouts to tide through the crisis, free distributions of masks and sanitisers and ensuring supply chains for essential items were functional.

Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
Yes, very much. The swift and consistent response is admirable.

What would you like to say to your government?
I am thankful for all their efforts to keep Singapore safe for us all.

Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?

The swift and consistent response is admirable.

The Virus

Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
No.

Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
No.

Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
Yes.

I´m afraid of getting infected.

The lockdown

How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
We didn’t have a complete lockdown but what was called a Circuit Breaker Phase 1 (when cases were high) and Circuit Breaker Phase 2 when rules were relaxed.

Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
No, I was alone.

What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
I missed my family and friends. Keeping in touch with family by social media and seeking help from a counsellor helped.

I seeked help from a counsellor.

Changes

How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
Working from home and lesser work.

How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
I tried online dating and after some not-so-great experiences, I may have found my future partner!

What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
I saved more money with the use of less transport and unnecessary shopping.

Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
We use masks when we leave the house and only groups of up to 5 people are allowed to gather at a given time. Many things considered, this is perfectly acceptable and I am grateful that we are allowed to carry on life almost as normal now.

I tried online dating and after some not-so-great experiences, I may have found my future partner!

Perception

Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Front line medical staff.

What did the crisis show you?
That the human spirit is strong and together we can achieve a lot.

What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
The strength I have from my loved ones and taking time to slow down to appreciate nature.

Which images will you never forget?
People dying in masses in some countries without loved ones by their side.

Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
My friend’s mother fell ill and died but since my friend lives overseas and borders were closed, she couldn’t come to say her final goodbye to her mother or attend the funeral.

My friend couldn’t come to say her final goodbye to her mother or attend the funeral.

Perspective

What are you afraid of right now?
Losing a parent but not being able to travel home, unemployment in the months to come.

What gives you hope?
The situation has improved since the onset.

Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Yes, to see my family when it becomes practically possible.

If they find a vaccine, would you take it?
Yes.

What can we all learn from this crisis?

If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
The year that stunned us.

The situation has improved since the onset.