Living with COVID; Singapore strategy raises concerns, hope

In doing so, the wealthy Southeast Asian nation of 5.5 million people tacitly conceded that reducing cases to zero was not a possible long-term solution, and instead decided it could start a gradual return to everyday life, 

Finally some common sense. At the point it looks like NZ and Australia are the government most stubbornly clinging to that illusion of eliminating the virus.

Only 0.2% of infected people have required ICU care and 0.1% have died — more than 65% of whom were either unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated.

What is the % since the vaccines started being administered? 35% of deaths in fully vaccinated people since the January or February last year doesn't paint a flattering picture for the vaccines Singapore is using.

Finally some common sense. At the point it looks like NZ and Australia are the government most stubbornly clinging to that illusion of eliminating the virus.

And China.

@ZaphodToday  03:12 pm JST

Finally some common sense.

Exactly ! Singapore has chosen a wise way to deal with this virus. Some countries in Western Europe too.

@IngvarToday  03:35 pm JST

What is the % since the vaccines started being administered? 35% of deaths in fully vaccinated people since the January or February last year doesn't paint a flattering picture for the vaccines Singapore is using.

too.

What is the % since the vaccines started being administered? 35% of deaths in fully vaccinated people since the January or February last year doesn't paint a flattering picture for the vaccines Singapore is using.

No, you are just misinterpreting the statistics. 82% of the population over 12 is fully vaccinated, meaning 18% unvaccinated/partly vaccinated. So the unvaccinated/partly vaccinated are making up 65% of these deaths despite only representing 18% of the population! It's actually a nice picture for the vaccines.

With about 82% of the population over age 12 fully vaccinated, hospitals have not become overwhelmed, with 98% of new cases either asymptomatic or with mild symptoms.

But behind the headline figures, there is evidence the plan is working, with its focus more on the severity of infections and hospitalizations than the number of daily cases

Since only those with severe symptoms are admitted and rest are forced to recover at home, due to no capacity in hospitals, how is this plan working. Since the plan is to allow the virus to spread in the vaccinated population..the facilities for the mild infections should have been prepared..as these are the ones spreading the virus.. given the population, the virus has spread widely.. the current government predictions are it will go up-to at-least around 5000 a day new cases, let's hope this is the last wave and no new variant emerges..

After one of the most successful vaccination roll-outs in the world

Around 15-20% of in the age group are not yet not fully vaccinated, given the population these age-groups should have been fully vaccinated, this looks more like a PR article..and in this they are top of the game.

“With vaccination, COVID is no longer a dangerous infection," Ho wrote.

and that is the key statement, backed with scientific evidence

“Those of us who are vaccinated can afford to be patient for a while more, and to have a heart for those who are still coming forward to be vaccinated.”

unfortunately no amount of pandering to the antivax will convince them otherwise,

no matter how much scientific evidence is available. recalcitrant pride trumps science everytime, well at least their imaginations.

antivax downvotes sustain me lol

unfortunately no amount of pandering to the antivax will convince them otherwise,

no matter how much scientific evidence is available. recalcitrant pride trumps science everytime

Well Singapore is different.. the population there has been conditioned over decades, they will do whatever the government subtly or directly instructs them to do.. as such there will be no criticism or even critique of any government policy/decision.. and therefore there is no antivax concept in that country.

“With vaccination, COVID is no longer a dangerous infection," Ho wrote.

and that is the key statement, backed with scientific evidence

Yesterday's death statistics seem to contradict Ms Ho. Covid appears to remain dangerous for old people with underlying conditions, regardless of vaccination status. Something which has been true since the start of the pandemic. ↓

Of the five deaths reported Tuesday, all were seniors with underlying conditions; two were fully vaccinated, one partially, and two were unvaccinated.

The ‘not me’ freedom crowd have a new model to tout. A HIGHLY vaccinated country.

Well Singapore is different.. the population there has been conditioned over decades, they will do whatever the government subtly or directly instructs them to do.. as such there will be no criticism or even critique of any government policy/decision.. and therefore there is no antivax concept in that country.

Oh, hold that thought. They have a get out clause already.

Exactly ! Singapore has chosen a wise way to deal with this virus. Some countries in Western Europe too.

Oooh oooh, I know this one! Oh hang on. Which Western European country has such a high vaccination rate and locked down everything for 18 months?

Looking towards Singapore as your model of “doing it right” now willfully ignores the last 2 years of strict lockdowns and mass vaccination.

With about 82% of the population over age 12 fully vaccinated, hospitals have not become overwhelmed, with 98% of new cases either asymptomatic or with mild symptoms.

That's the trick, get your population vaccinated and Covid will die out.

Singapore can also deal with the anti-vaxers firmly, we don't see them beating up police and punching horses!!!

Supporting Singapore for “common sense” after continually complaining about government and media oppression is so far beyond hypocrisy it’s undefinable.

What is the % since the vaccines started being administered? 35% of deaths in fully vaccinated people since the January or February last year doesn't paint a flattering picture for the vaccines Singapore is using

@Ingvar - I think you are misunderstanding the numbers. The truth is, the higher the rate of vaccination, the higher the percentage of deaths among vaccinated people. Also though the lower total deaths and ICU admissions.

Let’s say a year ago, no vaccinations and there were 100 deaths - so 100% of deaths are unvaccinated, 0% vaccinated.

When half the population is vaccinated say it drops to 60 deaths and 15, are from vaccinated people. So 25% of deaths are from vaccinated people and 75% unvaccinated.

Now, if the vaccination rate was 100% and there were, say, 10 deaths, yes 100% of the deaths are from vaccinated people but obviously overall the situation is much much better.

The 35% does not mean that the vaccine isn’t very effective. It is. The low total number of deaths does paint a very flattering picture of the efficacy of the vaccine and Singapore’s roll out.

@Bob Fosse

Vaccination, testing everyone who has symptoms of cold of flu, testing every contacts of an infection, isolating/quarantine infected to break chain of infections, keep usual prevention measures (mask, gel...), vaccine passport in place crowded like events... and NO lockdown, This is how it works fine in some western European countries where the covid is managed with a working medical system for all people.

And I am not supporting the government of Singapore.

@Igvar - you are fundamentally misunderstanding how statistics work.

As the percentage of vaccinated people goes up, the percentage of vaccinated people dying goes up too. What decreases, and dramatically, is the total number of deaths and ICU admissions. The numbers for Singapore are indeed very flattering.

And I am not supporting the government of Singapore.

You were this afternoon, what changed your mind?