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Many are curious why #Singapore and #HongKong did so well with the coronavirus. Here's a thread pulling together what Singapore (and its people) did, that won the respect a citizen who has always been hesitant to excessively praise her own government.
1/ In HK, a strict policy of social distancing made a world of difference. Singapore, pursued a different approach, they allowed work and schools to continue, but ran a fine tooth comb through the community to actively seek out virus patients, high-risk cases and corralled them.
2/ Contract tracing was key: Singapore gave a new meaning to disease detectives: they mobilized cops & a network of thousands of public cameras to retrace the footsteps of patients, hunting down those they were in contact with. #surveillance https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/police-missing-link-church-clusters-covid19-coronavirus-12509492
3/ Scarred by SARS: A different coronavirus 17 years ago left authorities (and people!) prepared. Singapore pulled together a cross-departmental taskforce to handle the crisis, ensuring buy-in for public health decisions among economic, education, foreign affairs ministries.
4/ SARS left Singaporeans and local clinics and doctors aware of what they needed to do. Locals washed their hands furiously. Hand sanitizer gels were placed at the entrances of cafes, office buildings, schools. Local clinics understood the importance of PPE (masks, gloves).
5/ In 2003, mask production was more diversified and they were not in short supply. Still, Singapore's health workers had never experienced a coronavirus, and did not realise the need for PPE. Masks and PPE were only used for tuberculosis patients back then, or robbers. (pic)
6/ We've learned lessons fr SARS. Healthcare workers wear protection. We invested in better healthcare systems, more quarantine facilities and created a disease surveillance protocol. There is a dedicated hotline for clinics to call when they encounter cases they are unsure about
7/ The army was mobilized to pack masks and distribute them to #Singapore citizens. Four to a household, and we are now about to collect free hand sanitizer. Prevents panic buying and price gouging. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/wuhan-virus-saf-working-round-the-clock-to-ensure-52m-masks-to-be-given-out-are-packed-by
8/ But what's most amazing is the risk communication. @WHO recommends communication to the public about the disease and how to control its spread. Singapore even targeted children and foreign workers with its message. In schools, children have to color in "Mask up-mei mei(sis)"
9/ Hands down Hanna tells children to "keep their hands away from their face," Super Soapy Soffy" wants you to soap when you wash hands. Children are the hardest group to impress a message on: and Singapore's method of getting messages to the kids is impressive.
10/ Last but not least, closing borders to the epicenter early. Singapore was the 3rd nation, after Russia and North Korea, to deny entry to Chinese travelers on Feb 1. #coronavirus All residents returning to the country enter 14-day quarantines, no entry to short term visitors
11/ Singapore also rolled out an interesting digital invention for disease surveillance: TraceTogether, an app silently tracking users interactions with each other. To be sure, it was launched on Friday, and we do not know how effective it is. Still... https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid19-trace-together-mobile-app-contact-tracing-coronavirus-12560616
12/ the idea that I’m signing myself up to be tracked makes me very uncomfortable. S'pore says authorities don’t keep that data & such an app is to make contact tracing might easier and faster - in the event that someone you were in close contact with gets diagnosed with covid-19
13/ App users can also opt out. Still, this is an example of how privacy vs public health became the biggest debate in this epidemic. A virus is a great excuse for mission creep: when surveillance tools are introduced in the name of public good, and conveniently not removed after
14/ A week before I analysed Singapore, I dug deep into #China's handling of #coronavirus as well. It was a complete contrast. A combination of sweeping lockdowns, digital surveillance, and human enforcers. My conclusion?The West could not do this. Thread: https://twitter.com/Liz_in_Shanghai/status/1237581508178669569?s=20
15/ UPDATE: Its been 2 weeks since I wrote this thread about Singapore's handling of #COVID2019. Then, I was relieved at how a nation could contain the virus without drastic disruptions to the economy or society. I'm sad to say that leaders announced our "lockdown" yesterday.
