The world of Tzu Chi July-August 2022 (Vol.142)

2022 • 08 50 ellness Translated by Lee You Zhuan Rui Jia and I Tested Positive! During the home quarantine period, my family received lots of assistance and care from our relatives and friends, showering us with love and blessings despite us needing to physically isolate. The love and warmth bestowed are well preserved in my heart and will be further extended to others in need. F ebruary 22 this year was a notable day; I tested positive for Covid-19. As I had completed my Covid-19 vaccinations and booster dose, my symptoms were mild. My body temperature remained, but my throat, which was extremely dry before I retired for the night, was in burning pain when I awoke the following day. After consulting my family doctor and with a confirmed positive Covid-19 test result, I immediately started self-isolation. At 5 o’clock the following morning, my 11-year-old daughter, Rui Jia, also complained of a sore throat. I notified her school of her absence and took her for an examination right away. On that day (February 23), Singapore reported 20,312 new Covid-19 cases; Rui Jia was one of them. In fact, Covid-19 vaccinations for primary school students in Singapore were rolled out at the end of December 2021. I did not delay registering my child in order to protect her and reduce the risk of severe symptoms should she be infected with the virus. Nevertheless, she unexpectedly tested positive a month after she completed her second dose. Symptoms went from a sore throat to a mild fever and cough. Due to the sore throat, Rui Jia not only spoke less, but also lost her appetite. I was fully aware that without an appetite, she would not be able to maintain her energy and micronutrients, such as minerals and vitamins, which her body would need for recovery. Thus, we had to first and foremost ensure that a child “can eat” before we talk about “eating right and nutritiously”. When our body is fighting a viral infection, we must ensure that it gets sufficient energy so that the proteins consumed are primarily used for cell regeneration instead of energy production. If, due to a loss of appetite, we do not get sufficient nutrients that our body desperately needs, it will begin to break down muscle proteins into amino acids to use as energy. This is why our body becomes weaker and thinner when we fall ill and lose our appetite. It is therefore important to replenish our energy and proteins during the recovery period, besides staying hydrated. As Rui Jia was having a sore throat, I made some adjustments to food preparation. I used softer, easier-to-swallow ingredients, like smooth tofu, as a substitute for the usual fried tofu. I also replaced French beans with tomatoes in the fried eggs dish, and steamed whole-wheat bread so that it was softer and easier to swallow. I seldom cook porridge mainly because I do not like it. As the same goes for Rui Jia, I naturally would not cook her porridge when she cannot have rice. So, I prepared a rich, Western-style soup consisting of soy milk, fresh mushrooms, chickpeas and sesame seeds, accompanied with steamed potatoes or bread. After consuming the nourishing meal,