Covid-19 crisis German friend view about SG handling of pandemic
My German friend lived in Singapore for a few years. He has now returned to Europe and now lives in Austria. I asked him about their lockdown.

German:
Hi Mr. Tan, yes we are back in Austria. Yes they had no other choice than lockdown. Hospitals are running full. Low vaccination rate, lifting of most rules, low compliance and the winter season are the reason. Case numbers had/ have steep increase with recently 15k case per day (population 8.9 mio). How are you? I noticed SG has changed its covid strategy recently.

TKL: 
Two months ago, Singapore introduced a new strategy called "living with covid". They relaxed measures. The new cases spike to 3,000 a day (90% are mild) and the hospital cases increased. There were many deaths. 

The cases have now reduced to 1,500 a day but the deaths are still quite high. The govt said that the hospital and ICU cases have started to fall. So, they can relax the measures.

German:
Yes it’s a much more science and rational approach which has saved many lives in Singapore. First 0- covid strategy followed by high vaccination rate and afterwards gradually opening up. What a difference to Europe. It has been sad to see the chaotic management combined with many people’s unwillingness to accept restrictions. Also the business society had a very shortsighted view. As a example, the retail sector pushed hard during summer to get the mask wearing requirement lifted (mask wearing reduces the time  people spend in the malls which is bad for sales - of course it was not communicated like that, but it was clear). And now they need to close. Stupid and it cost many lives on the way.

TKL comments.
My friend said that the PAP govt handled the covid pandemic well. I think OYK will be happy to hear his views. 

Tan Kin Lian

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