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LUMEN | COVID-19 PANDEMIC - TRANSFORMING THE WAY WE WORK , STUDY , PLAY AND LIVE
COVID-19
Inspires Josephians Respond Care to with
When the first casualty from the novel coronavirus happened in China on 11 January 2020 , it took another two months for the World Health Organization ( WHO ) to assess and declare COVID-19 a global pandemic on 11 March 2020 .
Surgical masks and personal protective equipment soon became the new uniform for healthcare professionals in hospitals and frontline workers who guard nations at border controls such as airports and seaports . Temperature screenings and travel declarations became mandatory as part of entry requirements . All non-essential overseas travel was strongly discouraged , in a bid to curb the spread of the COVID-19 . The constant pressure and strain on healthcare workers grew as nations started reporting more infected cases and casualties on a daily basis .
While the COVID-19 situation has brought about many challenges , it has also provided opportunities to contribute to society . Many of our young Josephians , having to witness and experience such an unprecedented global crisis for the first time in their lives , stepped up to support and cheer one another and beyond SJI during this difficult time . In SJI , there have been many instances when students , teachers , school leaders and many other support personnel stepped out of their comfort zone to contribute to society . From writing ‘ Thank you ’ cards to healthcare workers and creating COVID-19 education posters and inspirational messages , to dishing out care packs to staff and students , and regularly sharing care messages from the school ’ s Counselling Team - Ms Diana Choo , Mr Benedict Long and Ms Sharon Lam , these actions of love and constant support have helped to sustain many emotionally and socially during the lockdown .
FOR THE COMMUNITY BEYOND SJI
Together As One - SJI students and parents participated in a schoolwide activity in Term 1 to express our appreciation , thoughts and prayers for frontline healthcare workers dealing with the COVID-19 situation . With the support of Mr Rene Loh ( HOD PE ), who sourced for the design of the card , students and parents spent some time to pen their heartfelt appreciation on 2000 ' Thank You ' cards to show our admiration and gratitude to the staff of Tan Tock Seng Hospital . This was presented to the hospital in late March .
Love Letters to Our Healers - To celebrate the Day of Love , on 14 February , Josephians penned messages of gratitude and encouragement to the healthcare professionals in Singapore , who began to face stigma from the public out of a growing fear of the coronavirus .
Josephians Sing In Unison with De La Salle Schools in combined choir video Our Josephians from the Catholic societies lent their voices to this virtual combined choir video by De La Salle Schools worldwide . United as Lasallians , they sang the famous hymn , ' Joyful , Joyful , We Adore Thee ', which was written by Henry Van Dyke and set to Ludwig van Beethoven ' s symphony number 9 .
This hymn was chosen to acknowledge the selfless sacrifice of medical personnel around the world . It is hoped that in times of despair during COVID-19 , everyone around the world can remain joyful .
The choirs were from : 1 . Colegio La Salle Buenos Aires ,
Argentina 2 . De La Salle College Ashfield ,
Australia 3 . La Salle College , Mass Choir ,
Hong Kong 4 . La Salle Green Hills , Kundirana
Music Ministry , the Philippines 5 . Lycée des Francs-Bourgeois ,
France 6 . St . Joseph ' s Institution , Singapore