Letter from the Editor
What did you post on social media when you welcomed the new year? I posted a picture of myself at Hoshinoya Tokyo, sunshine filtering through the hotel room’s washi windows with the caption: “I’ve got a feeling that this decade will be like the Roaring Twenties (without the following depression hopefully).” Little did I know that the global situation would draw parallels to the Great Depression just a few weeks later.
Even though simulations predicted a possibility of a pandemic, Covid-19 took all of us by surprise. At the time of writing, almost half of the world’s population is under some form of lockdown (nearly four billion people) and keeping our distance while wearing a mask is our new reality. So many first-time events have transpired that we struggle to articulate them, hence the overuse of the word “unprecedented”. The magnitude of how this will fundamentally alter our lives is hard to fathom, much less put into words.
Amid the uncertainty, one thing is for sure: the only way to emerge from this crisis is by coming together. As such, all eight editions of Tatler Asia have decided to dedicate this Influence-themed issue to those who have gone above and beyond to help in this fight, spurring optimism in a time of darkness. From inventor James Dyson’s rapid response in creating the Covent ventilator—whose machines are being produced by 300 robots in the company’s Advanced Manufacturing facility here in Singapore—to grassroots movements that support our frontliners, we highlight the efforts of our communities in a special Tatler Asia report on page 142.
Despite the immense suffering brought about by the coronavirus, there is a silver lining. Cleaner air and birdsong are filling our cities, while wildlife is reclaiming its natural habitat. How do we maximise this eco-reboot? Acclaimed conservationist Jane Goodall shares ideas on how to be better custodians of our planet in our interview with her on page 180.
Sheltering in place has also resulted in a greater appreciation for the simple things. When life gives you lemons, make banana bread… well that’s not the saying but breadmaking has become a hobby of choice for the many staying at home. For a whiff of elevated bread baskets being served in Singapore, turn to page 206.
When life slowly returns to “normal”, I hope some things do stay the same, like the realisation of how integral art is to our lives. Once we can veer past our own front doors, I’ll be off to the renewed Asian Civilisations Museum (peek inside on page 42). For now, enjoy a bit of armchair travelling to Zanzibar on page 190—I hope it helps you think of sunnier days ahead.