The Big Read: Post-pandemic, life isn't as different as predicted but some changes — big and small — have stuck

SINGAPORE: For a few months in 2020, Ms Ethel Chang missed out on the joys of being a polytechnic student, as COVID-19 raged around the island.

Governments around the world scrambled to take drastic actions, including closing their borders, to keep the pandemic at bay.After several false dawns, most countries are now ready to live and let live with COVID-19, with Singapore lifting most of its pandemic-related restrictions in April this year.

“I don’t worry if I don’t have my wallet with me ... I just need to worry if my mobile phone is running out of battery.” “I don’t like being in crowded places now because during the pandemic, people go out in small groups which I find more peaceful. That’s the same today,” she said, who still washes her hands more frequently compared to pre-pandemic days., signalling that COVID-19 is still spreading here but is typically mild or being contained.

As Singapore and the world settle into a state of endemicity, TODAY looks at how life has changed — or not.Leaving home without wearing a mask feels “wrong” for Ms Chang these days, as she prefers to keep half of her face hidden while out and about. “I subconsciously try to keep more distance away from others and put my mask on. It’s really habitual now and I still need to remind myself I don’t need to wear it in most settings,” she said.

Such services “enabled a lean medical team to care for a large number of COVID-19 patients, while other healthcare workers could focus on providing care to patients with more urgent care needs in the acute hospitals” despite stretched medical resources. The trend has continued this year, based on sales volume reported by Grab, one of Southeast Asia’s biggest ride-hailing and food delivery firms.

Environmentalist Shawn Ang, who is a former member of inter-varsity coalition Students for a Fossil Free Future, noted that COVID-19 had increased people's awareness about the benefits of being around nature. The zoonotic origin of COVID-19, which means that the disease had been transmitted from animals to humans, had also sparked conversations, especially online, around human impact on the environment.

Education Education Latest News, Education Education Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

The Big Read in short: Months after Covid-19 crisis, how has life changed — or not?SINGAPORE — For a few months in 2020, Ms Ethel Chang missed out on the joys of being a polytechnic student, as Covid-19 raged around the island.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

The Big Read: Post-pandemic, life isn't as different as predicted but some changes — big and small — have stuckSINGAPORE — For a few months in 2020, Ms Ethel Chang missed out on the joys of being a polytechnic student, as Covid-19 raged around the island. As the new normal sets in, several pandemic-inspired changes have become a habit for some Singaporeans, even as other acquired habits are starting to be discarded.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »