Prognosis

Singapore Confronts the Division and Fear That Come From Living With Covid

  • Surge in cases and mixed government messaging cause tension
  • City’s strategy shift is a lesson for other Covid Zero places

Paddlers row past the central business district, at Marina Bay in Singapore, on Oct. 3.

Photographer: Ore Huiying/Bloomberg
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Just weeks ago, Singapore seemed like a poster child for pandemic management. With more than 80% of its population fully vaccinated and a road map in place for easing its strict Covid-19 rules, the city state seemed ready to live with the virus in a way that few countries were.

Then, infection rates began to soar.