Injecting positivity through decorating a COVID-19 Treatment Facility (CTF) with Jing Si Aphorisms Posters
With the increase in the number of COVID-19 community cases in Singapore, the elderly have been the most badly hit group of people. As many have either lost their lives or rendered gravely ill due to the virus, the government has designated the use of CTFs to closely monitor infected elderly patients who have mild or no symptoms. This would also reduce the burden on existing medical facilities. Similar to the past year, the National University Health System (NUHS) has decided to invite Tzu Chi volunteers to the F1 Pit Building CTF to help with decoration works. Through the pasting of Jing Si Aphorisms Posters as well as well-wishes boards, the hope would be that this positivity would calm the anxious hearts and minds among the elderly.
The Jing Si Aphorisms on the wall has brought colour and life to the whole facility. Similar to the past year, the National University Health System (NUHS) has invited Tzu Chi volunteers again to help with decoration works at a COVID-19 Treatment Facility (CTF) before it officially starts operating.
Chong Yu Jia, Journalist: This is the F1 Pit Building. In order to better monitor the medical conditions of the infected elderly, relevant changes have been made including lowering the height of the ward dividers. However, other than physical adjustments, the mental health of the elderly should not be neglected.
Lenard Cheng, Deputy Medical Director of CTF @ F1 pit: Apart from interacting with people 24/7 while they are here for a week or more, some of them may feel lonely, some of them may feel frustrated when they are here, so if at least with words of encouragement, phrases of encouragement can be a blessing to them, I think that would be useful also.
In this three-storey building, there are almost 1000 pieces of Jing Si Aphorisms Posters pasted. From printing to putting them up, every step is done with heart.
Leong Kar Tsing, Senior Executive Volunteer Development Department: As the target audience is mainly the elderly, we decided to increase the font size of the wordings. This would allow them to see the Jing Si Aphorisms easily without much effort.
Wong Soon Hee, Tzu Chi volunteer: This is not that easy, need everyone to communicate and work together to decide how to paste. Only then can we successfully complete this project, which looks simple on the outside, to look neat and beautiful
Choy Sio Hoon, Tzu Chi volunteer: Master’s Jing Si Aphorisms are meant to spread positivity and love, hope that this will inject more life to this facility, and benefit the elderly who are isolated here.
Calming the elderly’s hearts and minds, the hope is to accompany them through their journey to recovery.
