Noor Aziz


Reflections

An open letter to all my athlete and cyclist friends during COVID-19

I think some of you may be missing the point. The Singapore government announced stricter measures limiting movements and mandating office closures for one month starting next week.

Yet today, some of you are seeing this next few days before this ‘circuit breaker’ measures start as a reason to have a few more last hurrahs. A few more times for group riding, group running or group training.

I saw today and days before, groups of you cycling, running or training. Following that, you posted it proudly on your social media. Personally I don’t think it’s something we should be shouting about.

I read and listened, how some of you are looking at caveats, finding bylines where it states where and how you are still allowed to go out.

Do you think that the spread of COVID-19 will wait until Tuesday when the measures start? Or do you think that you’re exempted from being infected because you’re out exercising?

Sincerely truly deeply, I urge you, my friends, to think properly if doing these group activities are wise. When you plan for this last hurrah in group cycling or running, think if this is any different from a bar, dance clubs or entertainment establishments planning for their last hurrah when they were told weeks ago, that all venues including private event halls were to be closed.

How are your groups any different from the groups of party-goers? How is this group-riding or group-training any different from groups of friends sitting and eating together in close proximity in restaurants?

Think my friends, if your interest group is special and deserve an exemption, so does others. However sadly, now is not the time to pick which interest is more special than another. Now is the time for us to use our collective mind and consider the impact of our actions.

Unlike our neighbour and friends in Malaysia, our roads are not closed. We do not have to face roadblocks with the Police and armies asking where we are going and for our papers to give us the permission to move on.

Let’s not wait until we’re all mandated by law to stay inside. We’re still fairly free to move about. Use this freedom to also think and hold ourselves back from going out for that group activity; that last hurrah. This are contrary to what we must be doing. Let’s do this on our own before it’s becomes a law that we can’t.

Let’s exercise our brains as much as we are exercising our bodies. Practice emphaty. Whilst we believe we won’t get it, we could be a carrier and we don’t know it.

Sincerely,
Noor


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *