Ong Ye Kung: COVID-19 is like riding a bike downslope, can lose control until a crash

Singapore — Speaking on the Covid-19 situation, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung likened the virus to riding a bicycle on a downslope, which could result in a crash if not properly controlled.

“I explained that Covid-19 is like riding a bicycle downslope. Left on its own, it goes faster and faster, until we lose control and the bike crashes,” said Mr Ong in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Nov 9).

He highlighted the importance of applying the brakes to allow the metaphorical bicycle to travel at a controlled speed.

“Our three brakes are safe management measures, border controls and vaccinations and boosters,” Mr Ong explained.

He noted that through the applied measures, “things are stabilising, and the bike is slowing down somewhat,” resulting in the easing of some measures.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Tuesday that up to five fully vaccinated persons from the same household could dine in together at food and beverage establishments.

The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL), which allows travellers to enter without serving a stay-home notice, will be extended to Malaysia, Sweden, and Finland beginning Nov 29. To date, the countries under the VTL scheme are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the Republic of Korea starting from Nov 15.

“The VTL with Malaysia is particularly important, as Malaysia is our closest neighbour, and families have been separated for so long between our two countries because of Covid-19,” said Mr Ong.

More activities will be allowed in schools while team sports consisting of up to 10 vaccinated individuals can resume at selected venues with pre-game testing.

In his post, Mr Ong also mentioned that the country’s Expert Committee on Covid-19 vaccination has studied and agreed with the United States FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) review of the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine on children aged 5-11.

“We hope to vaccinate children in this age group as soon as we can. This will give parents the added assurance and peace of mind.”

“We can ride the bicycle downslope safely, for both the young and old,” said Mr Ong. /TISG

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