Reporter : Zhang Huixian / Source : 8world / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
It seems that there are more and more people going out in Singapore recently, not wearing masks well or not wearing masks at all. The interviewed experts said that the covid epidemic has not yet receded, and it is currently in the early stages of fighting the virus SARS-CoV-2 (covi, CCP virus, novel coronavirus). It is still necessary to pay close attention to the evolution of the virus. Therefore, people may still have to wear masks to go out in the next year.
8world News conducted a survey on Facebook, Telegram and Instagram on 10 May. Many netizens said that the local people have not worn masks for a long time, but this phenomenon is more often noticed after the vaccination work is launched. Among them, 24% All Telegram users believe that the public does not need to worry because they have been vaccinated.
Leong Hoa Nam, an infectious disease specialist at the Elizabeth Novena Hospital, has also recently paid attention to this trend. He believes that in addition to the above reasons, other factors or people’s COVID fatigue emotions, some people lack awareness and do not know that the mask is not worn properly. .
43% of Telegram users believe that law enforcement officials have seen fewer bans recently, which is also one of the reasons why the public feel lax about the epidemic prevention.
The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Environment revealed in response to the enquiry of 8world News that from April 2020 to the end of March 2021, the authorities issued more than 2,000 fines to people who did not wear masks; some of them may have been reported or falsely reported for multiple times. .
What excuses are often heard by safety distance ambassadors and law enforcement officials?
A spokesperson for the ministry said that safe distance ambassadors and law enforcement officers will encounter the public who does not listen to persuasion from time to time. Some of the reasons given by the public include: uncomfortable wearing a mask, waiting for food and drinks, and forgetting to wear a mask after exercise and many more.
Some Facebook users also reported to "8 Horizons News" that they had seen shop assistants or some members of the public who spent time on the ground floor of the HDB take off their masks so that they could speak clearly to others.
The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Environment urges everyone to carefully comply with the regulations on wearing masks. Even people who have been vaccinated should only take off their masks when eating, drinking, or exercising. Violations and first offenders will usually be fined 300 SGD, and the second offender will be fined 1,000 SGD. Those involved in serious incidents or repeated violations may be charged in court.
Expert: Need to accept that the virus will continue to exist
Professor Liang Yuxin, director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases, responded to the enquiry of "8 Vision News" that as long as the 2019 coronavirus continues to spread, the public must be prepared, and the virus will continue to evolve or evolve many mutant strains.
She pointed out that on a global scale, people are still in a very dynamic and changeable situation in the face of coronary disease. In addition, there have been more and more community cases infected with mutant strains in the local area, especially the B1617 mutant strain from India, and our understanding of it is limited.
She said, "Most virologists and experts in this field predict that the coronavirus will continue to exist. We are in the early stages of fighting the virus and it is necessary to pay close attention to the evolution of the virus. We need to accept that covi will continue to exist."
Leong Hoa Nam also said that the public must continue to wear masks because "the danger is real." He originally thought that the mandatory wearing of masks would be relaxed or lifted by the end of the year, but according to the situation, this may have to wait until a year later, when more and more people are vaccinated, and the number of new local community cases will be controlled at three times a day. It can happen within the range of less than five cases and after effective treatments appear.
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