Singapore forming road map to live with covid

[PicsInRed]

Singapore, one of the world's most successful covid respondents, is formulating a plan to live with covid and manage it as another seasonal illness once vaccination levels are sufficient. Most notable is the potential for a breath test, rather than "uncomfortable" swab testing, which would be a game changer for kids - and of course the removal of the dreaded isolation and no further reporting of daily cases. Hopefully this could be a road map for us also?

www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-drawing-up-road-map-live-with-covid-19-ministers-say-2021-06-24/

Testing will be less of a tool for ring-fencing and quarantining people, but will be used more to ensure that events, social activities and overseas trips can take place safely.

The ministers said people will be able to travel again at least to countries that have also controlled the virus, with testing and vaccinations removing the need for quarantines.

www.nzherald.co.nz/world/covid-19-coronavirus-singapores-surprising-new-plan-to-live-with-virus/EKXDOTWZYMUGFRRMF553CH2T5U/

A big change would be to no longer report daily case numbers. "Instead of monitoring Covid-19 infection numbers every day, we will focus on the outcomes: how many fall very sick, how many in the intensive care unit, how many need to be intubated for oxygen, and so on."

"This is like how we now monitor influenza."

The ministers wrote in the Straits Times this would be a way for Singapore to navigate its way out of Covid-19, resume major events and travel internationally

Testing would also have to be easier and quicker. Self-administered tests, such as breathalysers, should replace the uncomfortable throat swab method.

Singapore is a city state, not an actual country so you cannot compare UK to Singapore. And we would not have put up with such Draconian controls here.

@EhVwalah

Also in Singapore. To be honest, this 'news' has barely registered amongst people I know as it seems so far away from the current situation. We have been trapped on this tiny island for so long, following the various rules diligently (there is no room for error) and I genuinely can't imagine this will change any time soon. I met a friend yesterday who couldn't go out for an anniversary meal with her husband unless they sit at separate tables, as they have a newborn (groups of 2). My own children are so used to these strict rules that they panic about leaving the house. Are we in a group that's too big? Mask? Trace together token? Mustn't speak on the bus or someone might report you. Honestly, it seems so far fetched right now, I simply can't believe it will happen any time soon.

I think I'm so desperate to see some sense of urgency in changing things here that I'm just clinging onto every piece of positive "there is a way out of this" messaging that appears in the Straits Times. Agree, it does feel a long way away. One friend I spoke to last night similarly to you didn't even register this, another friend was feeling better about it like me.

I can't even find it in the Straits Times!

@EhVwalah

I can't even find it in the Straits Times!

Living normally, with Covid-19: Task force ministers on how S'pore is drawing road map for new normal www.straitstimes.com/opinion/living-normally-with-covid-19

@EhVwalah

I can't even find it in the Straits Times!

With my (very) optimistic hat on, I think they are hoping for something more normal for this years National Day than last year - feels like an incentive for the older more reticent population here to get vaccinated in time for it.

This is good news.
My friend who got out of Singapore early in the pandemic (because she was very concerned what life would be like and how long it would last) is very keen to go home and see friends and family.

Fingers crossed, she won’t have to wait too long.

Thanks backatschool