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Singapore’s New Playbook: Turning COVID‑19 into a “Just Another Flu” Story
With only a few dozen deaths so far and a vaccination rate that would make a vaccine‑selling spree blush, Singapore is setting the stage for a business‑friendly, “virus‑in‑the‑background” future. Imagine a world where the coronavirus is treated like influenza – a minor inconvenience, not a headline‑making monster.
Reality Check: How many “flu‑style” casualties are we talking about?
Dr. Paul Tambyah, the face of the Asia Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, gave the universe a dose of realism. “The only way to have zero deaths from a disease globally is to eradicate it entirely – and that’s only happened with smallpox,” he quipped. The implication? We’ll likely see some hundreds of deaths annually from the endemic strain, just as we see with our yearly flu fade‑outs.
In fact, Singapore has recorded 44 COVID‑19 deaths since January 2020. Compare that to roughly 800 flu deaths a year, and the numbers ring familiar. But the experts keep an eye on changes: “The shock of a few hundred deaths is being offset by the fact that we’re heading into the same conversation we have with the flu,” added Alex Cook from NUS.
Why 1,000 deaths may happen if seniors remain unimmunized
- Sixty‑plus year‑olds: 80 % vaccinated (age 70–79)
- Mid‑sixies: 88 % vaccinated (age 60–69)
- For every 1,000 unvaccinated seniors, the model predicts 480 deaths in 2022.
Because the elderly are the ones most at risk, the government’s call for a psychological readjustment is not just a rhetorical flourish. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung warned, “If we open up, residents need to accept a rise in the death toll – this is a coming‑off of the curtain.”
What the data says: a quick snapshot
- Sept – Three‑quarters of the population fully inoculated.
- Vaccination progress among seniors:
- Age 70+: 80 % fully vaccinated.
- Age 60–69: 88 % fully vaccinated.
- New deaths: 6 in the last two weeks, none of whom were vaccinated (cause, those two were for a different virus).
Global Implications: Australia and Beyond
Countries that performed early heroics with the virus – like Australia – are also moving from a lock‑down mindset to an “endemic” one. Singapore doesn’t just play by spiteful rules, it sets a benchmark: how do you live with the disease, not succumb to it?
Teo Yik Ying, dean of Saw Swee Hock Public Health School, points out that the “death toll surge” will inevitably happen, but he’s uncertain how much of that is excess mortality versus what would have occurred regardless.
Wrap‑up: The Service Industry’s New Name
If you joined a Singapore coffee shop this year, you’ll find the vibe: low‑key, efficient, and a dash of “we’ve handled this better.” From the eyes of the expert scholars and the pragmatist whispers of the government, the new status quo doesn’t alter the routine, just the invisible background of COVID‑19. A nice play on life where the virus is a silent backup—and we’re ready to roll out the dancefloor.
