Living on the Tip of a Spear

Living in Singapore gives an American a unique vantage point of the global pandemic. We are the first to experience each new phase of the crisis. Sharing insights from observing our Asia Pacific team and living at the southernmost point in Asia! 

The WHO has highlighted Singapore’s best practices and we have been living under a Code Orange (DORSCON) since February 7th. SARS taught Central and North Asia countries hard lessons. Lessons from which Singapore developed plans and executed during February and March. Think of the initial outbreak as a Wave 1, you flatten the curve, then infections and deaths rates start to fall. 

Once Wave 1 is under control, the situation looks like:

• Public Transport going from 20% utilization back to 70-80% and some traffic jams.
• People returning to the office on their timeline and continuing split shifts. Customers responding and getting back to their projects.
• Restaurants and shops reopening and having a good supply of customers.
• The mood shifting from nervousness, to its going to be alright. We made it through!

Wave 1 is at different points in the world currently.

• Starting: Africa, South America, Australia, India and parts of the US and Europe
• In the middle: Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and major metros of the US
• Completed: South Korea, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore

Those who have completed Wave 1 are now experiencing a Wave 2. This is going to be the New Normal for most of us in the world until a reliable, cost effective vaccine can be mass produced, estimated, June of 2021. Rapid diagnostics and medicines will ease the situation, but not for at least 3-4 months.

Wave 2 comes from two areas, new clusters who spread the virus prior to quarantine and those importing the virus. Wave 2 is causing the spikes currently in Singapore, during the past week about 65% of cases are imported. Last week, Singapore modified the Infectious Diseases Act to implement Safe Distancing Measures with fines of up to $6,500 (USD) and six months in jail for violation. Many are shocked by this, as I was. In taking a step back, it is a very sound strategy as the ONLY thing which will slow the spread, is maintaining social distancing. It only takes one person getting the fine and it being publicized for people to adhere to the new law. 

SARS thought Singapore to slowly shut down ways for people to be together (limiting the spread) as you trace cases and manage the outbreak. Check out a timeline of Singapore communications and plans. They responded to each spike by implementing addition social distancing approaches.

Our global leaders (business and political) need to learn from the tactics which are being used by countries which have completed Wave 1 and plan on how to “slowly open back up” while preparing for Wave 2. It is the fast path to getting our lives back to a new normal, saving our small business owners, and beginning the recovery process. 

If you have questions about the items above or “How is Singapore doing xxx?”, please add a comment below and I will answer.