COVID‑Crashed Family Makes a Move
Meet Mr Fedayin Ijan—a 44‑year‑old freelance school‑bus driver settling into a tight‑knit life in a two‑room Ang Mo Kio flat with his wife and four kids. He’s been dreaming of the slower pacing that a new four‑room HDB unit in Yishun could bring. “It’s about time we upgrade from a hog‑riding condo to a real house,” he says.
When the Virus Comes Knocking
- On Feb 11, his daughters Daryn (7) and Dania (10) tested positive at the clinic. Both had just rolled off their first vaccine dose.
- Their isolation room turned out to be the flat’s only bedroom, while the living room turned into a makeshift parents‑office for the younger lads.
- Later, his wife, who’s hidden her face in a mask every moment, also fell sick.
“The girls were irked by the cramped space and had a hard time keeping their cool,” Mr Fedayin admits, laughing at the pile‑up of scuff‑tapped emojis in his phone. “I’d drop my job for a nap if I had a chance to breathe a bit more.”
Keeping the Family Safe
While juggling errands for his wife and coaxing his daughters into “snack time,” he was out in the world as a school‑bus driver and couldn’t risk a four‑month layoff. “A single cough could shut my contracts,” he explains. “I’m budgeting on driving; every payout counts.”
To stay on top of the tide, Mr Fedayin committed to a three‑tier defense:
- Daily Antigen Test: He took a rapid test each morning before getting on the bus.
- Post‑Work Disinfection: After finishing shifts, he used a sanitizing machine to wipe down every surface.
- Hand Hygiene: He refused to skip hand‑washing after any trip inside the flat.
The two older sons (10 and 22) stayed infection‑free, and the whole crew’s negative streak is still on hold.
Family’s Take‑Away for Parents
- Stay Cool: “Keep calm, so the kids don’t freak out like they’re at a roller‑coaster.”
- Talk It Out: “Explain why isolation is mandatory, so kids don’t need to seek adventure outside.”
- Make the Sacrifices: “We had to use the only bedroom—they’re tiny freaks, we’re not asking for too much.”
- Super‑Mint Hygiene: “Wash those hands hard, wipe every surface, then leave leftovers for the next day.”
With tips like these, the Ijan family is hopeful that their move into a roomier four‑room will stay far from the virus.
Relief Ahead
The family looks forward to breathing easier in a more spacious setting. Their dream’s just one relocation away—ideally to Yishun’s new unit. They also feel that once the virus decision is made, they will “turn the page” and see a brighter, healthier chapter in the new home.
— Original article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
