PM Lee on Living with Covid-19: Respect the virus but not be paralysed with fear

Singapore – Speaking on the Covid-19 situation, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the old strategy of reaching zero Covid-19 cases is no longer applicable. Instead, the country must now live with the virus.

On Saturday (Oct 9), Mr Lee addressed the country, providing an update on the pandemic situation and the next steps for the country.

Mr Lee highlighted that the Delta variant has pushed Singapore to change strategies from “zero-Covid” to “Living with Covid-19.”

Although the initial strategy succeeded in keeping death rates low, the variant’s highly transmissible property resulted in another surge in Covid-19 cases.

However, Singapore’s high vaccination rate, currently at around 85 per cent, has been a game-changer, said Mr Lee.

He explained that lockdowns and safe management measures (SMMs) would only temporarily control transmission rates.

“A majority of Singaporeans have never experienced an infection, or as doctors say, we are Covid-naïve,” said Mr Lee.

“As a result, our natural immunity is low. Even if we’ve been vaccinated, we are still at some risk of getting infected.”

“This is why we must be prepared to see quite many Covid cases for some time to come.”

Mr Lee noted that the country could not stay locked down or closed off indefinitely as it would not work and would be very costly.

Instead, he called for the population to change its perspective on the virus.

“We should respect Covid-19 but not be paralysed by fear,” he said.

Let us go about our daily activities as normally as possible, said Mr Lee, noting that vaccination has made the virus treatable.

Meanwhile, the threat remains for the elderly, those 60 years old and above if not vaccinated and 80 years old and above if vaccinated.

He urged for them to get vaccinated and go for their booster shots when possible.

No more confusing flowcharts

In line with the new strategy, the country is shifting to relying heavily on home recovery, making it the norm for Covid-19 cases.

You can get well in a familiar home setting without the stress and bother of admitting yourself into a care facility, said Mr Lee.

He highlighted concerns from the public regarding the risk of spreading an infection to their households or not receiving proper care at home.

“Let me assure everyone on home recovery that you will get the care and support you need throughout your recovery journey,” said Mr Lee.

He added that people will know what to do through clear steps – “no more complicated flowcharts.”

According to Mr Lee, daily cases will continue to rise for some weeks and will level off and decline within a month or so.

Restrictions would then be relaxed cautiously to avoid starting a new wave of infections.

Mr Lee also took the time to thank healthcare workers for “fighting so hard for so long.”

He urged Singaporeans to do their part in protecting healthcare workers as they protect everyone against the virus.

Regrading reaching the “new normal” state, Mr Lee said this would be when restrictions can be eased, and cases remain stable.

“Perhaps a hundred (cases) a day but not growing, when hospitals go back to business as usual,” he added./TISG

Read related: ‘Dire conditions’ in Covid isolation facility makes S’porean ashamed; discrimination questioned

‘Dire conditions’ in Covid isolation facility makes S’porean ashamed; discrimination questioned