Navigating Life with Resilience and Realism
The inevitable has occurred—three members of my close-knit group of five have contracted Omicron. The days of anxious anticipation regarding when COVID would affect us are behind us. I often reminded my friends, “It’s just a matter of time before we get infected.” We are not the type to isolate ourselves; instead, we’re out dining, enjoying VR games, visiting each other’s homes, celebrating CNY with steamboat dinners, and sharing drinks.
Yet, here I am, testing negative even after being in close contact for five days. Despite this proximity to the virus, I felt little to no dread, and neither did my friends. They laughed off the situation, prepared for quarantine, stocked up on paracetamol, registered their positive results at the nearest Quick Test Centre (QTC), and approached each day with calm acceptance, knowing they had a week to get through.
This stands in stark contrast to another group of friends who, upon learning I had been in close contact, panicked and urged me to keep my distance, their fear palpable. Such reactions reflect the prevailing sentiments in both the community and online platforms, like the nearly 18,000-member SG Quarantine Order Support Group on Telegram, where no question is too trivial.
Looking at the inherent banality of some inquiries in these forums, I wonder if part of the reason we struggle to transition towards an endemic state—living in harmony with the virus—is that we, the residents of Singapore, are inadvertently hindering this progress. Questions range from, “Didn’t receive an SMS for close contact to get ART. Is this normal?” to “Is it common to still see two lines on day 5 of testing?” As I said, rather banal.
Let’s consider the hard numbers: As of March 4, 91% of Singaporeans aged 5 to 80 are fully vaccinated, and 68% have received booster shots. Of the 820,000 cumulative cases reported, there have been just 1,073 deaths—equating to a mortality rate of 0.1%.
Critics may argue I’m overlooking key statistics, and they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. Media coverage of COVID-19 statistics often involves selective reporting, as it’s impossible to relay every figure available. However, the basic numbers suggest that the situation may not be as dire as alarmists portray, a perspective likely shared by the government.
This approach is evident in the government’s stance on COVID-19 reporting. Much of the guidance emphasizes social responsibility rather than institutional scrutiny. The messaging encourages us to stay home when unwell, monitor our health after close contact, recover at home, and indicates that there’s no need to register a positive test unless one chooses to do so. Employers cannot demand a medical certificate for positive tests or a recovery memo when one is fit to return to work.
The guidelines are low on surveillance and even more lenient regarding rules. Some may see this as poor planning by the Ministry of Health (MOH), but it signals a shift towards self-management as we move forward.
That said, there’s room for improvement in executing these protocols. MOH could more firmly communicate that it is acceptable to rejoin society seven days after a positive test. Many have taken to TikTok to express outrage when COVID-positive individuals are seen out and about after their isolation period. “You’re still positive! How irresponsible!” they cry. However, studies show that the virus becomes less contagious after seven days. Of course, isolating until a negative ART test is one option, but many choose to trust the science.
Moreover, the Safe Measures Management often feels performative. The routine of checking into malls and public venues seems pointless when only 8% of the population remains unvaccinated. The TraceTogether app no longer alerts us of close COVID-19 contacts, and extensive contact tracing appears obsolete. Many people don’t even bother checking out of venues, making the entire process seem tokenistic.
Recently, Ms. Amy Khor announced new vaccination differentiation measures at hawker centers and coffee shops that are time-limited. I won’t delve into specifics, as option number three could lead to significant complications. The ministries might also consider halting daily case number reports, which circulate rapidly and often instill fear without providing meaningful context.
The public plays a crucial role in the ecosystem of moving toward endemicity. If the government takes cues from citizen reactions, it’s understandable why they are cautious about reopening too quickly. We need to do better—starting by not overreacting when we encounter someone who has tested positive. It’s not a death sentence, and no one should feel ostracized.
We also need to stop policing mask-wearing. If logic prevails, no one wishes to contract COVID. So, if someone on TikTok takes a group photo without a mask, trust that precautions have been taken. There’s no need for virtue signaling or haranguing strangers online about mask usage. Additionally, we should stop letting total case numbers unduly influence our emotions—numbers should not wield such power.
Yes, COVID-19 is serious, and we should aim to avoid it as much as possible. However, given the statistics, achieving this may seem like a Sisyphean task. As society opens up and we spend more time in mask-less environments, it’s inevitable that some of us will contract the virus. If that happens, we’re not unprepared. We know what actions to take, where to seek help, and when to isolate. If our condition worsens, we’ll know when it’s necessary to visit a hospital. Otherwise, we stay home, recover, and heal.
We must not allow this virus to overshadow our better instincts. We cannot let fear paralyze us to the point where we forget to live. The world has much to offer that we have missed over the past two years. Hiding away in fear and negativity will not alter the reality outside our four walls. For me, that is the greatest barrier to achieving true endemicity.
