JESSICA TENG – STAYING HOME TO FIGHT COVID-19

It’s now 39 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.

Jessica Teng is finding it more tiring being at home during the MCO than working in the office. She feels she is busier at home; multi-tasking work and handling the kids. She has left her hubby to cook up meals and is relieved when she gets to switch on the Netflix to keep the kids occupied and at bay for at least an hour. Here’s what she shares about her MCO days:

How are you coping with the MCO? What are you doing to keep your time occupied?

I have been juggling work and looking after the kids; helping with their homework; and helping set up their online classes. It’s more tiring than working in the office!

Are you happy to get more time to spend with the family? Tell us how you are doing this?

Is this a trick question? Off course I’m happy, but I’m also busier than ever, multi-tasking work and kids. I am working either at the laptop or on the phone while playing dinosaurs, cooking or crafting play dough with my youngest; setting up online classes for my other 2 elder kids; and helping them with their homework. Lunch is feeding my youngest, when it used to be only a dinner chore – now its lunch and dinner chores. They used to shower in their daycare, now I have to shower the youngest. So yes, we are definitely bonding more.

Have you found new hobbies while staying at home? Have you discovered you (or your spouse) can cook too?

Nope. My husband memang can cook so cooking is up his alley. And he used to trim the kids’ hair when they were younger so it’s no different now really. There is no time to get a new hobby but we did finally subscribe to Netflix to have a bit more entertainment for the kids, to keep them at bay for at least an hour.

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

Keeping fit? No! Gaining weight is a yes. The number will never be revealed though.

How are you keeping abreast with the news on Covid-19 and MCO?

I keep abreast online mostly. I get my news through legitimate online media sources including live broadcasts.

What’s your advise to everyone?

Do what we have to do now, to return our life to normalcy. Please stay home for now so we can one day, go out safely again.