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10 Things to Know from PM Lee’s Speech Whereby No Major Announcement Was Made

2021-10-09 , 1:49 pm

Ever since COVID-19 emerged and ruined our lives, Singaporeans panic whenever PM Lee announces that he’s going to address the nation.

This was especially so when he stepped up to the podium in a light blue shirt – a colour he’s seemingly never worn before.

But because PM Lee knows us so well, he reassured us in a Facebook post before his speech that there’s no need to rush out to stock up on items or dine out, and told us to carry on as per normal.

And yes, I can tell you that no circuit breaker nor Phase 2 (Heightened Annoyance) was announced.

Reader: Phew

Missed PM Lee’s speech and want to know what he said? Well, here are the 10 most notable things that came out of our prime minister’s mouth this afternoon:

Original Approach Was to Prevent Exposure to COVID-19

PM Lee acknowledged that many Singaporeans are frustrated with the latest restrictions, as the authorities had previously announced we were going to change our strategy and live with COVID-19 instead.

He said that the country’s original approach last year was to prevent exposure to COVID-19, which is often referred to as a zero-COVID-19 strategy.

So, the government imposed and tightened safe management measures (SMMs) in an effort to bring down cases.

This was the right strategy last year as there were no vaccinations, PM Lee said, as infections brought serious risk.

But when effective vaccinations were developed, everything changed.

Global and local data shows that vaccinations help prevent severe illness from COVID-19, which is why the vast majority of cases here have been asymptomatic or experienced mild symptoms.

With vaccinations, COVID-19 is no longer dangerous for most of us, PM Lee said.

Emergence of Delta Variant Changed Things

Last year, our SMMs were sufficient to stop the virus from spreading rapidly, but the emergence of the Delta variant has changed that, PM Lee said.

Even with lockdown measures and tightened SMMs, the virus will spread rapidly as soon as we open up.

What’s more, Singapore is a “COVID-naive” country, meaning most of us have never had an infection, and therefore have no natural immunity.

This means that there’s a risk of infection for those who are vaccinated as well.

And this explains why there’s been such a high number of cases lately, PM Lee said.

Singapore Cannot Stay Closed Indefinitely

But staying closed indefinitely is not an option, as it would be very costly PM Lee said.

We’d be unable to resume our lives, participate in social activities, or revive our economy.

Each time restrictions are tightened, businesses are further disrupted, some workers lose their jobs, and children are deprived of a proper childhood and school life.

Some families, especially with loved ones overseas, have also been separated as a result.

Due to this, along with the psychological strain that COVID-19 has placed on all residents here, including migrant workers, the government concluded that a zero-COVID approach was not feasible.

Plan to Live With COVID-19 Did Not Go Smoothly

So, the authorities changed their strategy and decided to live with the virus, but this was not a smooth or easy journey, PM Lee said.

The government eased restrictions in August after vaccinations hit 80%, and while cases were expected to rise, the numbers went up more sharply than the government had anticipated.

This was because the Delta variant is so infectious.

As a result, the authorities had no choice but to tighten restrictions once again.

Restrictions Tightened to Ease Burden on Healthcare System

PM Lee echoed what Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has been saying in the past week or so, that COVID-19 curbs were tightened to ease the burden on our healthcare system.

During this period, the authorities aim to stabilise our healthcare system and expand its capacity.

This will allow healthcare workers to properly care for seriously ill COVID-19 patients, as well as non-COVID patients with urgent medical needs, PM Lee said.

We Need to Update Our Mindsets & Not Be Paralysed by Fear

In his speech, PM Lee urged Singaporeans to “update our mindsets” and not be “paralysed by fear” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We can go about our daily activities “as normally as possible”, so long as we take the necessary precautions and comply with SMMs.

With vaccinations, COVID-19 has become a treatable disease with mild symptoms for most.

Home Recovery Now the Norm

This is why the authorities are shifting heavily now to rely on home recovery as the default mode of recovery for COVID-19 cases.

As PM Lee pointed out, around 98% of COVID-19 cases are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, meaning they can recover at home, as we would with the flu.

This eases the strain on hospitals, nurses, doctors, but will also free up “badly-needed” beds for COVID-19 patients who need them.

PM Lee admitted that the government’s service delivery for the home recovery programme fell short, but said they worked hard to fix it.

He also assured those who are fearful about whether they will get the care they need if they are recovering at home and their symptoms get worse.

“If you need to be admitted to hospital or a COVID-19 treatment facility, we will get you there,” PM Lee said.

Need to Simplify Health Protocols

Since COVID-19 has become a manageable disease, there’s a need to drastically simplify its health protocols, PM Lee said.

“No more complicated flow charts,” he said. “People must be clear what to do if they test positive, or if they come into contact with someone who is infected.”

Everyone also needs to take personal and social responsibility, such as testing themselves if necessary, self-isolating if they test positive, or seeing a doctor if they have symptoms.

“Knowing what to do, we will no longer find COVID-19 such a scary disease,” he said.

You can read more about the new protocols in our next article.

COVID-19 a Real Threat to Elderly

The prime minister said that sooner or later, everyone will “meet the virus”. And if this is the case, this means seniors will get infected too, a group for whom the risk is “very real”.

Nearly all of the 142 COVID-19 fatalities in Singapore have been elderly patients with underlying medical conditions, most of whom are unvaccinated.

Even though seniors above 60 account for just 1.5% of the population, they make up two-thirds of those who passed away from the virus or needed ICU care.

“We feel every single loss keenly. My deepest sympathies and condolences to all the families,” PM Lee said.

As cases, and consequently deaths, are expected to go up in the coming weeks, PM Lee once again urged seniors to get inoculated.

“If you are above 60 and not yet vaccinated, you are at very high risk – please get your jabs now,” he said.

New Normal Might Take Three to Six Months

PM Lee said it may not feel like it, but we’re making “steady progress” towards the new normal.

The new normal will mean easing restrictions and have some light measures in place, he said, with new cases remaining at around a few hundred every day, but not growing.

People can go back to doing the things they used to do, such as not feeling worried when seeing crowds.

PM Lee said some countries have already reached this stage, but paid for it dearly with many lost lives along the way.

As for Singapore, it will take at least three to six months to reach this new normal, PM Lee said.

“COVID-19 has surprised us many times before, and will surprise us again, but get there we will, in a careful and safe manner, with no one left behind to fend for themselves and with as few casualties as possible along the way,” he said.

If cases grow again too quickly along the way, the authorities will have to “tap on the brakes” again, PM Lee said.

As we head towards the new normal, Singapore must also reconnect to the rest of the world.

We already have Vaccinated Travel Lanes with Brunei and Germany.

“These pilot projects have shown it is possible for vaccinated persons to travel safely, while letting in very few COVID-19 positive cases,” PM Lee said.

“We are implementing more such arrangements, especially with countries whose COVID-19 situations are stable.”

In the meantime, I guess all we can do is hope for the best and try not to let these setbacks get us down.