Number of Covid-19 cases scares me

On 18 September 2021, the total infections were 1,009. This was the first time the number crossed 1,000.

On 28 September, the total crossed 2,000 to 2,236 cases. It reached the highest on 1 October at 2,909 cases. This was just shy of 3,000.

The total infections yesterday (4 October) were 2,475 cases.

We were told that Singapore could have more than 5,000 daily infection cases in days to come.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) on Friday (Oct 1) urged seniors to avoid dining at hawker centres and to buy takeaway food instead. These mask-off activities at hawker centres are potential hotbed for transmission of Covid-19 virus. Seniors are most vulnerable to serious illness and even death if they catch the virus.

On this account, we have been buying take-away food to eat at home since the advisory.

This advisory was on top of regulations set by the Multi-Ministry Task Force. From 27 September, social gathering is limited to a group of 2. Dining in at F&B outlets, hawker centres and coffee shops is also restricted to 2. The only difference is that F&B outlets only allow diners who are fully vaccinated. Hawker centres and coffee shops have no such restrictions.

Is Singapore ready to live with Covid-19 as an endemic disease? We appear not to be ready. The social distancing restrictions are still in place because we cannot cope with the surge in Covid-19 infection cases.