Global Health Security – COVID-19: What Changes – and What Doesn’t

Benjamin Ang, Cameron Sumpter, Dymples Leong, Gulizar Haciyakupoglu, Jennifer Yang Hui, Joseph Franco, Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman, Nazneen Mohsina, Norman Vasu, Pauline C. Reich, Shashi Jayakumar, Tan E Guang Eugene, Teo Yi-Ling, Terri-Anne Teo, Yasmine Wong

SYNOPSIS

The roles of the individual and the government have been dramatically affected by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. There will be a profound effect on governance at all levels going forward. Existing domestic policies and prevailing bases of international cooperation cannot remain as in the status quo ante.

COMMENTARY

The COVID-19 crisis blurs the boundaries between private and public life. Measures to curb the spread of the virus often infringe upon personal choice and privacy.

COVID-19 makes salient how decisions made by any one individual — whether relating to movement, personal hygiene, consumer behaviour — can have profound impact on others. The convergence of the private and public can be seen in government and media exposé on socially irresponsible behaviour. This is accompanied by individuals turning to social media to post about and berate socially irresponsible behaviour, such as using an app to report those flouting the rules.

Read more at https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/cens/global-health-security-covid-19-what-changes-and-what-doesnt/#.XtTG2zozbIU