JEFFREY TAN– STAYING HOME TO FIGHT COVID-19

It’s now 31 days since we’ve all stayed home in the joint efforts to fight Covid-19. The Movement Control Order which was first implemented on March 18 2020 has restricted our movement in a bid to bring down the curve of infection from the “invisible” virus.

Jeffrey Tan is a professional photographer and drone pilot. He has been responsible for many of the breathtaking photos and videos SJ Echo shares with readers quite regularly. During the MCO, many of his clients have taken a break and so has he. We caught him between his drone flying from the compound of his house to ask him a few questions:

How are you coping with the MCO?
My MCO is a bit different from most. I am helping SJ Echo with aerial and ground photographs and videos so people can get a better sense of how quiet Subang Jaya has become. I am also helping a friend, Adrian, in his Lions Club of Subang Jaya project to supply meals to the low cost flats. With this, I actually have valid reasons to leave the house every few days, making the MCO rather interesting for me.

What are you doing to keep your time occupied?
Watching Korean drama for the first time. Now I understand why people get so excited and addicted. I think I am hopelessly addicted to it! I just keep telling myself how lucky that my life is not filled with such drama.

Are you happy to get more time to spend with the family? Tell us how you are doing this?
As a photographer, my life is either very free or very hectic. This is for the first time since I left school that I have so much family time. I am enjoying and rediscovering my youth. But, I suspect my teenage kids can’t wait to get out there again!

Have you found new hobbies while staying at home? Have you discovered you (or your spouse) can cook too?
This MCO I suddenly discovered that I like cooking. My wife even gave me her apron. Because, I started wearing it without a t-shirt underneath, she doesn’t want it back!

How are you keeping fit and alert at home? Have you gained weight?

I started to share the house chores with my wife. I have to admit its actually a lot of work and very tiring. I think I can stop going to the gym after this MCO is lifted and just stay home to do house chores.

I have also not gained weight because eating at home has been a lot healthier. Even with less cardio exercise, i have maintained my weight.

How are you keeping abreast with the news on Covid-19 and MCO?
Usually from Whatsapp groups. Once in a while I will get some really funny information on COVID-19, then I will bug the SJ Echo editor to ask him if its real. I realized there is so much fake news out there.

What’s your advise to everyone?
You are not stuck at home, you are safe at home. Learn to enjoy these moments.