IN CONVERSATION WITH: We speak to five elderly people in Singapore, in their 60s and 70s, to find out more about their thoughts on circuit breaker measures.

Why do some elderly folks still sit around taped up benches, or refuse to wear a mask, despite the authorities emphasising otherwise?

And how are those who cannot keep up with technological advancements coping?

63-year-old Lim (not her real name) used to spend her spare time frequenting nearby shopping malls.

Now, after the implementation of the circuit breaker, she spends most of her time experimenting with cooking recipes on YouTube and making traditional kueh at home.

The circuit breaker was originally meant to end on May 4, and the extension of the measures meant that Singaporeans across the island will have to largely stay at home for another month.

While Lim is taking it in her stride, not everyone is coping as well.

For the elderly in Singapore, they have been identified as a vulnerable segment of our population and have been advised to stay at home as far as possible.

Without the opportunity to see family members nor the technological means to keep in touch with loved ones, some seniors may feel particularly isolated.

People above the age of 60 are the most susceptible to Covid-19

For one of the elderly persons we spoke to, 72-year-old Wee said that she now only leaves her home to buy food or groceries.

"Before that can go window shopping, but now nothing to see. Only go supermarket... That's the only place you can go what," said Wee.

The elderly have the most to fear from the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, based on current evidence worldwide.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), older adults are at a significantly increased risk of developing severe disease following infection from Covid-19.

The report, dated April 2, stated that 95 per cent of the deaths that happened in Europe were among those older than 60, while more than half the deaths were attributed to people aged 80 years or older.

This is in line with the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is based in the U.S.

The CDC states that eight out of 10 Covid-19 deaths in the U.S. have been in adults 65 year old or older, and that the chances of dying skyrockets when one is above 85 years old.

Despite these alarming statistics and constant reminders from the authorities, why are some seniors still sitting on public benches in their estates even though the place is very clearly taped up?

Is it because they don't know that they're not supposed to? Or do they simply not care about the rules?

Flouting the circuit breaker rules due to a variety of reasons

Wee told us, "I think they know (it's not right). Every day on the TV, there's the advertisement saying 'don’t go out', old people should stay at home... but maybe these people don't want to listen?"

But there are many possible reasons for this.

For the elderly, especially for those who do not have work or do not have the option of working from home, they are faced with a different problem: boredom and maybe even a pervasive sense of loneliness.

During the circuit breaker period, where their children could be working from home, and grandchildren attending HBL at home, the elderly may not be able to watch television without disturbing their family members, prompting them to head outside instead.

Wee explained that apart from boredom, others may want to leave their houses because they cannot get along with their family.

Others, she said, have grown used to passing the time by sitting at coffeeshops with their friends.

"Some people just cannot stay at home one, they must 看风景 (see the scenery)," Wee said.

This is a sentiment shared by Lim, who said that the elderly in her neighbourhood are generally bored, as they are used to chatting with friends at void decks.

She also said that she feels restless staying at home, as she was used to spending her time outside.

And unlike the younger and often more tech-savvy crowd, CNA reported that the elderly in Singapore often have difficulties using technology to stay connected with loved ones.

They cannot turn to video conferencing tools or online entertainment to cope, and most of them are used to meeting up with their friends in person.

"I am also sad that they stopped mass exercise and dance sessions organised by my neighbourhood RC," said Lim.

Wearing a mask is very uncomfortable, but necessary

In the past month, there were several high-profile cases of people refusing to wear masks when they are outside, some of which involving the elderly.

While most of the elderly that Mothership spoke to acknowledge the need to wear face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19, they also bemoaned that doing so is very uncomfortable.

Lim said that some of her friends find wearing a mask uncomfortable, citing breathing difficulties and the tendency for the mask to cause their faces to itch.

According to Cong, who works as a hawker, older people tend to flout the rules by pulling down their masks whenever possible, claiming that they cannot breathe if they wear a mask.

Although Cong herself said that she found it hard to breathe initially, she has since gotten used to it.

72-year-old Wee admitted that when she does not see anybody in sight, she would also pull her mask down for a brief period to breathe, as it gets very hot at times.

However, she noted that she wears it properly most of the time.

Tang (not his real name), a 66-year-old who also works as a hawker, said that although wearing face masks may get very uncomfortable, it is important to follow the rules in order to reduce the number of Covid-19 cases in Singapore.

"The circuit breaker period is not easy for the elderly. We would have to wear mask, it actually makes it very hard for us to breathe in, especially at our age. I have tried the cloth mask, but it is too suffocating so I have switched to disposable ones. But I think that we need to consider the greater good for the community, so it is important for us to abide with the measures that the government implemented. If we follow the measures, the number of Covid-19 cases will be reduced, this is what I remind myself of during the circuit breaker."

Rules and regulations can sometimes confusing

According to 60-year-old Chin (not his real name), while the circuit breaker rules put forth by the government are generally clear to him, there are certain regulations which confuse him.

In particular, the list of essential food and beverage outlets were updated on April 21, with a number of food manufacturers and food outlets deemed non-essential overnight.

"Some places can sell bread, then some shops that sell bread are forced to close. Then some can sell cakes, some cannot. Some can sell bubble tea or desserts, some cannot," said Chin.

"I don't really really know what's banned and what's not".

Frustrated by those who flout the measures

Most, however, are pretty clear on the main things, such as wearing a mask when leaving the house and only going out to buy food or groceries.

Despite the inconveniences that the circuit breaker rules may bring, most of the elderly do agree that following the regulations are the nation's best bet at curbing the spread of the virus.

Many are, in fact, frustrated at others who are flouting the circuit breaker measures.

According to Lim, people exercising outside should not be allowed to remove their masks in public, as they risk affecting the health of others.

"I feel that they should string their masks around their neck, and wear it back when they pause their exercise," said Lim.

Cong, who is looking forward to going back to work, expressed her frustration at the elderly who take the circuit breaker measures lightly.

"I'm very angry that old people don't want to behave, because later they get virus then trouble. They are so irresponsible," said Cong.

60-year-old Chin also stressed that "anybody could infect others".

"They (those flouting the rules) are irresponsible and take health for granted. The circuit breaker is the most direct way to cut off the virus from spreading", he said.

But would they actually confront someone flouting the rules, though?

For Wee, she said that she prefers to leave it to the authorities and enforcement officers:

"If I see someone flouting the rules I won't go and chup in (intervene)... I won't do it myself but I'll see if people come and tell them they're going to be fined."

She also shared that she has read about people who have harassed and uploaded videos on others flouting safe distancing measures in the papers.

Such behaviour is "not nice", she said.

"Officers have the authority to issue them warnings or fines. But aunty uncle anyhow take video to post online, that's not nice because it's shaming them (the offenders)."

Looking forward to post-CB days

Like many other Singaporeans, the elderly people Mothership spoke to are eagerly anticipating the end of the CB period.

Because this means that they can resume (some semblance of) normal life again.

Chin, for instance, hopes to enjoy a cup of coffee and have some bread at his favourite coffee shop with his friends after the circuit breaker.

Wee also said that she is looking forward to having "more freedom" to go out to the mall, or maybe even enjoying an apple pie from McDonald's.

However, after a contemplative pause, she added,

"I think maybe now you keep wanting to go out because you can't do it. But normally, maybe you don't even go out that often, right or not?"

Have an interesting perspective to share or a commentary to contribute? Write to us at [email protected].

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Top image composite image by Mothership, Masagos/FB