Humans don't last long without hope.

Right now I think a lot of the ASEAN countries are losing hope.

Singapore is in the same boat for me. No real light around the corner to be happy about.

Why can't the government project some hope and give us a carrot or two?

Examples:

Israel eased some of its COVID-19 protocols on Sunday, according to Reuters. The country has officially lifted part of its mask mandate, allowing citizens to freely enjoy the outdoors without face coverings.

This decision is a result of the vaccine roll out in the country. According to Reuters, about 81 percent of Israelis over the age of 16 have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (namely Pfizer/BioNTech), which has caused hospitalizations and cases to drop dramatically.

South Korea announced this week that people who have received at least one vaccine can go mask-free from July and gather in large numbers as soon as next month. That’s a first in Asia and follows the country’s target to vaccinate 70 per cent of its population by September, up from just 7.7 per cent now.

Hong Kong currently offers free vaccines to anyone above the age of 16 but residents have been reluctant to take them up, with only 13 per cent fully vaccinated so far. The government now plans to encourage people to get the jab by allowing those who have received one dose to party later into the night in bars and nightclubs.

Americans who have been fully vaccinated can relax their use of face coverings, especially outdoors, under new rules from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced by President Joe Biden on 27 April.

Biden said that progress against covid-19 would lead to more normal life. He set a target for people to be able to get together with friends and family on 4 July, American Independence Day, which is traditionally a time for barbecues and family gatherings.

Deliver the carrots please...