Exercising during COVID partial lock down

Many countries were and are still afflicted with COVID pandemic, and Singapore is not spared.

As a matter of fact, all hell broke lose when it was announced that thousands of foreign workers housed in various dormitories had been infected in March 2020, leading to introduction of total lock down (Circuit Breaker CB in local context). Over the next few months, it seemed that only dormitory workers were affected mostly, sparing widespread community involvement... gradually, the lock down was loosened and school resumed (students going back to school) and people were now allowed to venture outdoor (in group of 5 with social distancing and masks) by June/July.

With COVID pandemic, my clinic workload has dropped significantly. Most obvious is the total absence of foreign patients (with travel restrictions imposed by various countries), and the significant drop in children with flu/cough symptoms (face mask, social distancing and no school attendance have worked remarkably well in bring down upper respiratory tract infections amongh children). 

As such, I knocked off work from my clinic earlier over the past few months, and had more time to engage in leisure exercises in the afternoon/evening. 

I have been doing brisk walking diligently almost daily (or at least 4-5 days per week) over the past 3 months, covering a distance of 6-9km per trip. My pace is ~11-12 min / km. Somehow, I can't go beyond 10 min/km. Nevertheless, I have managed to "trim" my body fat somewhat over the months.

I listened to audio book +/- music (via Xiami app) when brisk walking. I have read over 7 audiobooks (mostly fiction) over the past 3 months. I have never read so many non-work related books over the years.

Things seem to be looking up over the past few weeks.... patients are trickling in gradually, albeit not back to normal yet. Hopefully, I will still have time to do my regular walking exercises when things improve in the near future.

                   

              Cought in the rain in one of the walking routines....

                                                            My exercise trail...

attempts at "artistic" photography

Had been browsing through youtube channels to learn more about photography over the past few days. Trying to brush up on my basic photographic skills.

Trying to take photos with the "artistic" feel of the Chinese landscape drawing.

I was mesmerized by the snow-capped mountain of Mt. Wudang (武当山) with some sprinkling of pine trees in the distant... it is genuine reflection of how a typical Chinese landscape looks like.

Here are some of my attempts:

Tree with its sprouting branches

Nibbled leaves

Alone... in pensive reflection

snap shots from balcony

With "Circuit Breaker" (@Lock Down) in place because of COVID pandemic, no leisure walking / outdoor activities are allowed. Exercises (brisk walking/jogging) are exempted though, but I guess I can't hug along my camera when I do brisk walking. I don't want to run foul of our friendly Social Distancing Ambassadors who patrol our friendly neighbourhood to make sure everyone toes the line when venturing outside.

Managed to take a few photos from our balcony in my spare time...

Pleasantly surprised by the birds...

The trees... 

after the rain...

The deck...

The hangers... the clothes need to be taken care of.

Sheltered from the rain...

Circuit Breaker measures in Singapore

Many countries are adopting some kind of lock-down to limit the spread of COVID-19 infection over the past 2 months.
It is easy to understand what "lock-down" or "movement control order" mean. In Singapore, we call it "circuit breaker". I had a hard time trying to find out the Chinese equivalent - literally it means 阻断器- then I noted that it was translated as 阻断措施in Chinese newspaper.
Of course, when the CB is uttered, people who understand Hokkien may give you a sheepish look. Worse still, when complete circuit breaker (CCB) was imposed a few weeks later.

Barrier being put up to prevent people from loitering in the exercise trail

walling off the exercise area

Kids' playground - out of bound

Table/chairs "sealed" off. People standing 1 m apart (social distancing)

Trees

SINGAPORE

Trees with their lush of green leaves, are common sights in the tropic. 

They exude a sense of calm and serenity, particularly when view in the morning, enhanced by the surrounding fresh air. 

But, don't be surprised if you come across of trees that give you a "autumn" feel, in Singapore...

KYOTO

Trees during winter, deprived of leaves, generate a sense of melancholy. The cold air adds to it a distinctive quietness and looliness. 

SOUTH KOREA

The multiple mixed of red, orange, brown, yellow and green that adorn the tress during autumn creates another mood ... the last burst of vibrancy before retiring. 

All of us may harbour various kind of emotion. Some are exuberant in nature, some are downright depressing. We must learn how to deal with it... Nothing is permanent, both positive and negative feelings. Learn to take all those emotions in our stride. 

spring up like mushroom after the rain 雨后春“笋”

It had been raining from last night till noon. Went for a 1-hour walking exercise in early afternoon under the shady sky. I wouldn't call it "brisk" walking, because my pace was only slightly faster than leizure stroll!

Pleasantly surprised by the mushroom scattered among the grassland along the exercise trail. The Chinese idiom 雨后春笋comes to my mind - but that refers to the sprouting of bamboo shoot, and not flourishing mushroom (but both carries the same meaning}.

It was a refreshing sight - reminds me of new beginnings, fresh ideas and opportunities in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic.

Signature of COVID-19

Without COVID -19 pandemic, one will never see people hanging out surgical masks or N95 face mask in the balcony to be re-cycled.

The pandemic has depleted the supply of face masks for public consumption worldwide. With situation being under control in China, the supply of face masks has improved over the the weeks.

Of course it is generally not advisable to re-cycle face masks. But when the supply is low, one has to improvise to the best of our ability.