Don’t Try to “Catch & Get Over It”: Singapore Experts Sound the Alarm
Singapore’s Cold War with COVID – 60% Have Sat Through the Troops
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung told Parliament this week that roughly six out of ten Singaporeans have already crossed the invisible heads‑up line in the fight against COVID‑19. He added that folks who smashed the virus recently are less likely to get a fresh bout, but that’s no green light for a “catch‑what‑you’re‑happy” campaign.
Doctors Speak (and Snap a Few Funny Faces)
- Associate Professor Alex Cook (NUS): “Even mild cases can turn into emergency room trips, and we won’t know how long that immunity lasts.”
- Associate Professor Natasha Howard (NUS): “In a world full of vaccinated citizens, the real question is whether indoor masks still carry meaningful benefits.”
- Associate Professor Ashley St John (Duke‑NUS): “Long COVID and other complications can bite even vaccinated people. If you’re not shaking a fever, reduce your exposure.”
Mask‑Mandate: Debugging the Post‑Pandemic Scripting
Howard claims the “mandatory indoor mask” chatter is little more than old physics. With 90% of the population locked with vaccines and half with natural infection, the irony of carry‑on mask laws is pretty high. However, Cook insists that a mask when you’re sick – or when you’re just a walking flu symptom – is a habit worth preserving, especially when all those we love could be in line for an “attack.”
Herd Immunity: The Myth That Isn’t Here, Yet
Ong reminded us that minimal or “fleeting” immunity won’t stop the virus from sprouting new variants – the more you vaccinate or get immunity, the harder it is for COVID to evade. St John hopes next‑generation boosters could tip that scale, while Howard warns we’ll need regular boosters as the virus keeps evolving.
Final Thoughts – When to Put the Mask on and When Not to
Whether the next wave is serious or a mere sneeze‑blip, the consensus is to keep emotions and humor alive: “You might catch COVID for a moment, but you won’t want to become a hero for permanence.” The experts also stress that easing restrictions is permissible but should be paired with isolation for those who do succumb to a communicable disease.
