We Could’ve Done Things Differently’: Lawrence Wong Reflects on Singapore’s Covid Response

SINGAPORE — Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has stated that if the government had known what it does now about Covid-19 at the pandemic’s onset, many decisions would “obviously” have been different. Speaking in a doorstop interview on Mar. 7, Wong reflected on how government action was taken amid incomplete information during the early days of the pandemic, likening it to navigating in the “fog of war.”

He acknowledged that with better foresight, Singapore could have avoided some disruptions, reduced spending, and potentially lowered the number of deaths. However, he emphasized that no one could have had perfect information at the start.

The government released a White Paper on Mar. 8 reviewing Singapore’s pandemic response, outlining both successes and areas for improvement. Wong highlighted the importance of vaccination in managing the crisis, but also pointed to challenges, such as the outbreak in migrant worker dormitories and the delay in recognizing the value of face masks.

Wong stressed that lessons from Covid-19 must not become rigid doctrine, as future pandemics may present entirely new challenges. Instead, he called for preparedness, adaptability, and a commitment to learning from past experiences.