Dear Kids,
It’s been a whole 12 months since I last wrote about the world pandemic caused by Covid-19. My last letter to the both of you was in March 2020, and here I am writing once again about how our lives have changed since then. To tell you both about how the new ‘normal’ has been re-defined. Just as the last letter has been a worthwhile read, I am sure this one too will be interesting to look back at in the years to come.
Vacciantions
One of the biggest, and the best news, has been the development and administration of vaccinations to the general public. There are at least four to five pharmaceutical brands of vaccines present right now, effective at helping to raise immunity against the Covid-19, or at least show milder symptoms, if affected.
Since the roll out of vaccines, countries have chosen to start vaccinating the front line workers, elderly patients, and those with chronic diseases, before moving on with the general public (subject to time period and country policy) Children under the age of 18 (later changed to 16), pregnant women and breastfeeding mums are not required to be vaccinated. The vaccinations we have right now are available in two doses, free of charge and all the behind-the scenes required to get this done is tremendous.
In Dubai, large scale tents have been set up, with online appointments to get the people vaccinated. Papa chose to go ahead with the Pfizer vaccine back in December 2020, and was done with both his doses by the start of year 2021. Mummy was still breastfeeding Azu at the time and was advised to wait until he was completely weaned. By March 2021, mummy too was ready to take her first dose and went ahead with the Sinopharm vaccine.
Travel restrictions
To control the spread of Covid and avoid the second, third and sometimes even fourth waves of infection, travel has been severely restricted since the onset of Covid-19. We in UAE have been lucky that we’ve not had any more ‘lockdowns’, but other countries, including the UK have seen at least another two sets of country wide lockdowns within the year.
International flights have been limited, except for cargo, and travel has been advised if only absolutely necessary. Holiday planning has also been difficult due to the different quarantine rules and PCR testing requirements. We did not have a summer holiday in 2020, and neither did we travel in the winter break. Since the both of you were still young, we just did not feel safe.
We travelled within the country though, played tourist, and made staycation plans to give ourselves a break. Top attractions included visited Burj Khalifa’s At the Top, Dubai Safari, Dubai Parks and Resorts and other places. We have been very ‘lucky’ in Dubai, where the numbers of positive/affected cases have been on the lower side per population number, and the recovery rate has generally been very good. This meant, with the safety measures in place, such as wearing masks, social distancing and constant sanitising, a lot of places, including cinemas, malls and play areas have continued to stay open.
Studying and Working From Home
Education for students has definitely been different. For you, Azmu, it has meant getting used to online learning, and attending classes with your teacher via video calls. For you FS1 ended in July, without any ‘End of the year’ party, school birthday party or being able to hug your teacher (Ms. Caroline) goodbye. FS2 started in a new school, and we chose for you to go ahead with the blended learning approach, which meant the week was divided with classes attended in-person in school, and also online from home.
Class rooms were reorganised to hold only a maximum of 10 students, with desks spaced to include a minimum of 2 metre social distancing. Students could opt for this approach or 100% online learning, and despite the risk of sending you physically to school without mummy or papa being present to keep you constantly sanitized, we felt it was necessary to help build your social skills at this early age. We thought this arrangement was only for the first term, but it continued all the way to Term 3. School field trips, group activities, sports days and other annual events were cancelled, but days such as UAE National Day, World Book Day, World Down’s Syndrome day and others were continued to be celebrated online and made special in other ways possible.
Mummy and papa occasionally worried about how your social skills may be affected because you no could simply no longer hug your teacher or huddle together with friends. However, Azmu you have shone! You continue to be chatty with your teacher and friends, and show your kind and generous self to your friends. Azu too has learned to settle in with you during your online classes from home. He loves sitting next to you with his own piece of paper and pencil to scribble, as the both of you listen to your teacher over the Zoom app, on your iPad.
Yes, we’ve had to invest in a study table for you, but also an office desk for papa. What started as a ‘Work from Home’ setting for the initial few weeks in 2020, it eased later on and people were able to go back to their offices. Papa’s office has been flexible with their work approach and even though he occasionally travels to other offices and meeting venues, papa’s had the opportunity to work from home more often now. This has truly been a blessing, because it has meant less time spent commuting and rushing through chaotic mornings. Time, now available to have our meals together at the table, enjoy going out for morning walks, and be more available for the family.
The Loss
While temporary adjustments have had to be made, unfortunately Covid-19 has also changed lives for some people in more permanent ways. As more people started to contract the virus, people within our social groups, families and friends were known to be affected and/or lost their lives. That has been the hardest. Affected people have sometimes continued experiencing breathing problems or fatigue, weeks after they initially contracted the virus. The term ‘Long Covid’ became something doctors were diagnosing.
If not lives, livelihoods of people in terms of their jobs changed. We didn’t just hear it in the news, but saw it first hand of people loosing jobs, having pay cuts, and many shops and restaurants in the mall shutting down. In Dubai, lots of expat families have had to immediately sell their belongings and relocate due to job loss. Parents have had to make decisions about changing schools for their kids because they could no longer afford the fees.
Alhamdullialh x1000, we have not been severely affected when it came to lives of our loved ones, or job cuts. Covid-19 has certainly put the importance of health, well being, a roof over our head and family into perspective.
The New normal
Along with keys, wallet and phone, it’s become normal to leave home with a mask around our face, and maybe even have a couple spare in the bag or in the car. Also a sanitizer. Despite knowing how hard it is, Azmu as a 5 year old, you’ve been so understanding about it all and doing your best at keeping your mask on. Azu, you’ve not had to wear a mask, but you’ve quickly learned to identify a sanitizer bottle and are always forth coming when it comes to sanitising your hands.
Azu hasn’t had all the experiences he other wise would have had in the first year. Unlike your sister you’ve not had as many outdoor mall visits, played at play areas or game zones, or even sat on a plane in your first year. Neither have you had a grand first birthday party, unlike your sister or cousins. When you look back I hope you understand mummy and papa had to make these cut backs to keep you safe, and hopefully we can make it all up when the world is completely healed.
You both have made us very proud. And you’ve made the year living amidst Covid-19 pretty interesting. We’ve bonded together as a family, shared birthday celebrations over Zoom, enjoyed ordering in food over weekends from the comfort of our home and loved the ‘surprise’ (paid for) deliveries of groceries, clothes and toys that have come through the door. So, thank you, kids, for making it such a memorable year.
Covid-19 hasn’t ended. It’s still very much present. However, we have learned to adjust to this new life. We’ve also learned to be more courageous, kind and grateful.
If you enjoyed reading this letter, you may also like to read the previous letter written to my kids: ‘A Letter to my kids amidst Covid19’
Other letters you may also enjoy :
Dear Azu, on your 1st birthday
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