Lawrence Wong: Singapore Can't Rely Solely on Herd Immunity to Fight COVID-19

Singapore's Health Minister Lawrence Wong said on Monday (June 21) that Singapore cannot rely solely on herd immunity to fight COVID-19.
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Here are five reasons why:

1. Herd immunity is not a silver bullet. Even if a large proportion of the population is immune to a virus, it does not mean that the virus will be completely eradicated. There is always the risk of new variants emerging that can evade immunity.
2. Herd immunity can take a long time to achieve. In order to achieve herd immunity, a large proportion of the population needs to be vaccinated or have natural immunity. This can take months or even years to achieve.
3. Herd immunity can be dangerous for vulnerable populations. While most people who get COVID-19 will experience mild or moderate symptoms, some people, such as the elderly, those with underlying health conditions, and pregnant women, are at higher risk of developing severe complications.
4. Herd immunity can lead to complacency. If people believe that herd immunity has been achieved, they may become complacent and start to relax their adherence to public health measures, such as wearing masks and social distancing. This can lead to an increase in cases and deaths.
5. There are other ways to protect against COVID-19. In addition to herd immunity, there are other ways to protect against COVID-19, such as vaccination, wearing masks, and social distancing. These measures are all important in reducing the spread of the virus and protecting people from infection.

What does this mean for Singapore?

Wong said that Singapore needs to continue to focus on vaccination as the primary strategy to fight COVID-19. He also said that the country needs to be prepared to live with the virus in the long term. This may mean that Singapore will need to implement ongoing public health measures, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, to keep the virus under control.

What can you do?

There are a number of things that you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

• Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the most important thing that you can do to protect yourself from COVID-19.
• Wear a mask. Masks help to reduce the spread of the virus by blocking respiratory droplets.
• Social distance. Stay at least 6 feet away from others whenever possible.
• Wash your hands frequently. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus.
• Stay home if you're sick. If you're feeling sick, stay home and avoid contact with others.

By following these simple steps, you can help to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Conclusion

Herd immunity is not a silver bullet for fighting COVID-19. Singapore needs to continue to focus on vaccination as the primary strategy to fight the virus. The country also needs to be prepared to live with the virus in the long term, which may mean implementing ongoing public health measures to keep the virus under control.