In his acclaimed show, Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood, Fred Rogers asked two simple, weighty questions: “Who is my neighbour?” and “How can I care for my neighbour?” They were thought-provoking questions in a time where public kindness was rare, radical kindness unheard of.

For several weeks now, my friends and I have sent food gifts, care packages, and surprise pick-me-ups to each another via delivery services. Home-cooked food, handwritten notes, a Hallmark card, favourite drinks, vegan ice cream, baked and non-baked goodies, and even a whole pomelo arrived at my doorstep (the last one gave me a good laugh). Every single one a reminder that I am cared for and thought about.


Across continents and transcending time zones, communication platforms were utilised to their maximum capacity. Quality time meant FaceTiming over dinner, togetherness took on the form of tiled faces on a Zoom call, and love sounded like overlapping voices on a group WhatsApp call.

The last two months have been unprecedented. Life as we know it seems to have vaporised and our new normal is far from comforting. Pay cuts burgeoning, job losses proliferating. Births and deaths mingle within an inch of the other. Businesses tanking, markets crashing. Racism and xenophobia remain ubiquitous. The most frightening of all? We do not know when this will come to an end. Not how, when. It is humanity’s race against time.

Understandably, in this season, questions abound. Yet, only few are pertinent and relevant. For you reading this, if we do have to ask questions, why not they be the following - “Who is my neighbour?” and “How can I care for my neighbour?” Because, these questions, we have and can be the answers to.

While the questions felt different depending on the circumstances, Rogers’ answers never wavered. “His definition of ‘neighbour’ was whomever you happen to be with at the moment, especially if they are in need,” Amy Hollingsworth, author of The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers, said.

The equation is pretty much foolproof - if somebody cares about you, it is possible that you will care about others (your neighbours). The more people know they are cared for, the less isolated they feel.

May we always remember - our entire existence should be predicated on more than just ourselves, but the measure by which we give of ourselves.