How Singapore Flattened the COVID Curve Among Migrants
2020-08-21
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Foreign worker Yulia Endang says she is saddened by the quick growth of COVID-19 cases among foreigners in Singapore.
2The increase started in April.
3Endang says she believes poor housing conditions where foreign workers live likely led to the increase.
4But she hopes the bad news will warn the island nation of dangers ahead.
5"I hope the attention is not just attention but a signal that outside, there are more people aware of how actually migrant workers' life [is] like," she said.
6At one point, Singapore had the most COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, even with its small population.
7It worked hard to flatten the curve.
8But later there was a surprising increase, mostly in dormitory rooms that house foreign workers.
9The rise was a reminder to Singaporeans that the wealth of their state depends, in part, on foreign laborers who often live in very poor conditions.
10In April, Singapore was reporting as many as 1,400 COVID-19 cases a day.
11It is now reporting as few as 200 new daily cases.
12Singapore acted to change the living conditions that increased the spread.
13The city-state announced a quarantine on foreign dormitories and tested every single person who lived in them.
14Singapore also plans to expand health services for foreign workers.
15And it plans to build more housing to lower the number of people living in each dormitory.
16Some foreign workers have already been moved into new buildings.
17Plans include eight new buildings by the end of the year.
18Singaporeans are looking for social change to help correct what has historically been a place divided by class and wealth.
19One group is fighting against the "not in my backyard" attitude, often called "NIMBY."
20It is an attitude that prevents new housing for the poor from being built in wealthier areas.
21Some Singaporeans have organized to change the attitude - and expression -- to "Welcome In My Backyard," or WIMBY.
22The WIMBY group was formed after the COVID increases.
23It hopes to create relationships with foreign workers and others in Singapore.
24The WIMBY group wrote on Facebook: "We must not be comfortable with the idea of riding on the...livelihoods of others for the success of the economy."
25I'm Susan Shand.
1Foreign worker Yulia Endang says she is saddened by the quick growth of COVID-19 cases among foreigners in Singapore. The increase started in April. 2Endang says she believes poor housing conditions where foreign workers live likely led to the increase. But she hopes the bad news will warn the island nation of dangers ahead. 3"I hope the attention is not just attention but a signal that outside, there are more people aware of how actually migrant workers' life [is] like," she said. 4At one point, Singapore had the most COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, even with its small population. It worked hard to flatten the curve. But later there was a surprising increase, mostly in dormitory rooms that house foreign workers. 5The rise was a reminder to Singaporeans that the wealth of their state depends, in part, on foreign laborers who often live in very poor conditions. 6How has Singapore responded? 7In April, Singapore was reporting as many as 1,400 COVID-19 cases a day. It is now reporting as few as 200 new daily cases. Singapore acted to change the living conditions that increased the spread. The city-state announced a quarantine on foreign dormitories and tested every single person who lived in them. 8Singapore also plans to expand health services for foreign workers. And it plans to build more housing to lower the number of people living in each dormitory. Some foreign workers have already been moved into new buildings. Plans include eight new buildings by the end of the year. 9Non NIMBY cartoons 10Singaporeans are looking for social change to help correct what has historically been a place divided by class and wealth. 11One group is fighting against the "not in my backyard" attitude, often called "NIMBY." It is an attitude that prevents new housing for the poor from being built in wealthier areas. Some Singaporeans have organized to change the attitude - and expression -- to "Welcome In My Backyard," or WIMBY. 12The WIMBY group was formed after the COVID increases. It hopes to create relationships with foreign workers and others in Singapore. 13The WIMBY group wrote on Facebook: "We must not be comfortable with the idea of riding on the...livelihoods of others for the success of the economy." 14I'm Susan Shand. 15The Voice of America reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 16________________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18aware - adj. to be conscious of something or someone 19dormitory - n. a building with small rooms and a lot of beds for students or workers 20quarantine - n. to force someone in to isolation because he is carrying an infectious disease 21attitude - n. a way of looking at people or ideas 22comfortable - adj. at ease, relaxed 23livelihood - n. the way one make's a living, a job or profession