The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Senior US general warns of possible looming war with China

  • 3

    BLACKPINK sets 6 more Guinness records

  • 5

    TXT brings together 'pansori' and fairy tale in new song 'Sugar Rush Ride'

  • 7

    Cabinet ministries turn deaf ear to watchdog's advice on sexual minorities

  • 9

    More Korean manufacturers enjoy Georgia's hospitality

  • 11

    National pension anticipated to be fully drained in 2055: NPS

  • 13

    Superintendent of Seoul Education Office gets suspended jail term

  • 15

    Opposition leader Lee claims innocence in corruption probe

  • 17

    12 websites still unavailable after Chinese cyberattacks

  • 19

    Wall Street climbs to hit best level in nearly eight weeks

  • 2

    People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions

  • 4

    Jang Keun-suk steps out of his comfort zone with 'The Bait'

  • 6

    ENA's new dating show to spotlight young adult's romance

  • 8

    Bad weather disrupts operation of Jeju airport again after 3 days

  • 10

    Seoul to work with Hanoi to pursue peace on Korean peninsula

  • 12

    Korea's rice consumption hits another low in 2022: data

  • 14

    SK E&S retains gov't support for Barossa gas project in Australia

  • 16

    Police to build disaster prediction system to prevent recurrence of Itaewon tragedy

  • 18

    Indonesia celebrates 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea via virtual event

  • 20

    LGES to capitalize on US IRA, Tesla partnership to continue record earnings

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Sun, January 29, 2023 | 03:08
SCMP
Singaporeans, whether vaccinated or refusing to be jabbed, feel social divide over COVID-19
Posted : 2021-09-16 13:37
Updated : 2021-09-16 13:37
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Office workers spend their lunch breaks at the central business district amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, Sept. 8. Reuters-Yonhap
Office workers spend their lunch breaks at the central business district amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, Sept. 8. Reuters-Yonhap

Office workers spend their lunch breaks at the central business district amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, Sept. 8. Reuters-Yonhap
When the Singapore government announced strict segregation measures in August for those who were not yet vaccinated against COVID-19, it had an immediate desired effect. Vaccination numbers surged, from 70 percent who had completed the two-shot regimen as of Aug. 8, to 78 percent just two weeks later.

Restaurants reopened to in-person dining on Aug. 10 for those who were fully vaccinated, and a week later, strict work-from-home rules eased, allowing as many as 50 percent of employees to return to the office. Shopping malls and cinemas were allowed to expand capacity for those who were vaccinated, and temperature screenings at entrances stopped.

Those who did remain unvaccinated felt they were being ostracized.

Mrs Ong, like others in this story, did not want to provide her full name to protect her identity. The 38-year-old mother of two was hesitant about having the mRNA vaccines (from Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna) and held off getting vaccinated for as long as she could, citing concerns over potential vaccination side effects and adverse reactions.

"I was concerned about myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), which is one of the [potential] adverse side effects of the vaccine," she says.

But when the government announced the new restrictive measures for unvaccinated people, Mrs Ong felt "pressured" into booking her vaccination. "I felt like a social outcast," she said, "so I reluctantly decided to get the vaccine so that I could have a sense of freedom again."

She opted for the Pfizer jab and has completed one of the two shots so far. After the first one, she said she felt tired and had headaches and nausea for two days. While awaiting her fully vaccinated status ― which doesn't come into effect until two weeks after the second jab ― she eats at home and doesn't socialize as she used to.

Regulations that went into effect on August 10 prohibit unvaccinated people over the age of 13 from dining in food and beverage outlets, except for hawker centers. Unvaccinated individuals are also prohibited from using indoor gyms or joining indoor mask-off fitness classes, and have been encouraged to restrict their movements to group sizes of two people.

There are ways around this, but they can be costly. An unvaccinated person may dine inside a restaurant by presenting a negative Covid-19 test result from an approved medical clinic that charges S$30 to S$65 (US$22.50 to US$48.50) for the test.

Office workers spend their lunch breaks at the central business district amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, Sept. 8. Reuters-Yonhap
People relax during lunch break at the Raffles Place financial business district in Singapore, Sept. 14. AFP-Yonhap

Mrs Lim, who did not give her first name to protect her identity, is 42 and works as a dance instructor. She is fully vaccinated and believes getting the jab was a selfless act of service for humanity. "We are all craving connection, and if this can help to rebuild connections, businesses, and help travel reopen, I am happy to do it," she admits.

She noticed a divide between vaccinated and non-vaccinated people on social media, and believes that misinformation is having a ripple effect on communities.

"Vaccinated people are just getting on with it, but the anti-vaxxers are causing themselves more mental trauma by creating so much anger on social media," she says.

As of September 13, 81 per cent of Singapore's population of 5.9 million people had received both doses of the COVID-19 Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Recently, Singapore allowed other vaccines recognized in the World Health Organization's Emergency Use Listing, including Sinovac from China.

Mrs Tan is one of the vaccine holdouts. In her late 30s and currently breastfeeding a five-month-old baby, she cites as the main reason for her decision to forgo the jab the lack of knowledge on the mRNA vaccines' effect on babies.

"There are no long-term studies on the effect of the mRNA technology on the human body, therefore I prefer to take my chances on my immune system and the different immune-boosting strategies I've been using for a while," she says. Mrs Tan takes vitamin C, D and zinc supplements, and follows a wholefood, plant-based diet, with regular exercise.

A strong believer in personal responsibility and freedom, Mrs Tan believes that the unvaccinated are discriminated against in Singapore. However, she has "made peace" with the restrictions imposed on her for her choosing not to vaccinate. "If people want to judge me, it's on them," she says.

As the world looks ahead to a future free from the pandemic, Mrs Tan would like to see greater education, with a strong emphasis on ways to improve health and physical resilience. This includes taking part in outdoor activities, healthy eating, having faith or spiritual-based practices, and building strong human connections.

After a year and a half of lockdowns, mask-wearing, social distancing, and restrictions on social activities, many residents did get vaccinated to help their nation open up again safely. But as COVID-19 case numbers surged again, the government urged its citizens to reduce non-essential social activities.

Office workers spend their lunch breaks at the central business district amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, Sept. 8. Reuters-Yonhap
Youth fish at a largely empty Merlion Park in Singapore, Aug. 31. Reuters-Yonhap

For many like Mrs Ong, there is a feeling of frustration at the recent announcements.

Even with over 80 per cent of the population vaccinated, the government is still recommending people avoid social activities, and introducing new testing regulations, which are constantly changing and very confusing," she laments.

She would like Singapore to return to "normal life", as has mostly happened in the U. S. and U.K., although she would like to see people continue to wear masks in public places or on public transport.

"We need to accept the fact that most people will eventually get COVID-19, but that most will recover," she says.


 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions
2Cabinet ministries turn deaf ear to watchdog's advice on sexual minorities Cabinet ministries turn deaf ear to watchdog's advice on sexual minorities
3More Korean manufacturers enjoy Georgia's hospitality More Korean manufacturers enjoy Georgia's hospitality
4Seoul to work with Hanoi to pursue peace on Korean peninsula Seoul to work with Hanoi to pursue peace on Korean peninsula
5Superintendent of Seoul Education Office gets suspended jail term Superintendent of Seoul Education Office gets suspended jail term
6SK E&S retains gov't support for Barossa gas project in Australia SK E&S retains gov't support for Barossa gas project in Australia
7Indonesia celebrates 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea via virtual event Indonesia celebrates 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea via virtual event
8LGES to capitalize on US IRA, Tesla partnership to continue record earnings LGES to capitalize on US IRA, Tesla partnership to continue record earnings
9KT&G aims to become global top-tier company KT&G aims to become global top-tier company
10Middle East 'sales diplomacy' picks up speed Middle East 'sales diplomacy' picks up speed
Top 5 Entertainment News
1BLACKPINK sets 6 more Guinness records BLACKPINK sets 6 more Guinness records
2Jang Keun-suk steps out of his comfort zone with 'The Bait' Jang Keun-suk steps out of his comfort zone with 'The Bait'
3Shunsuke Michieda overwhelmed by Korean fans' support for his coming-of-age film Shunsuke Michieda overwhelmed by Korean fans' support for his coming-of-age film
4TXT brings together 'pansori' and fairy tale in new song 'Sugar Rush Ride' TXT brings together 'pansori' and fairy tale in new song 'Sugar Rush Ride'
5Kim Hyun-joo says humanity is at heart of action film 'Jung_E' Kim Hyun-joo says humanity is at heart of action film 'Jung_E'
DARKROOM
  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

  • World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

    World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

wooribank
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group