The vast majority of Singapore residents are vaccinated and worldwide, nearly 6 billion shots have been given. Yet, barely nine months later, the first call for booster shots has gone out. But what does the data say? Why are there mixed scientific views? Will this confusion create even more uncertainty and affect eventual uptake? Lin Suling gets Dr Leong Hoe Nam, infectious disease specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Dr Hsu Li Yang of NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health to break it down.

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Singapore is one of the world's most vaccinated countries but the unvaccinated remain at risk with every infection surge. Is it time to stop persuading people and consider mandates especially for those without legitimate medical reasons? Could a sharper differentiation of measures for the unvaccinated nudge more to get the shot? And what are the drawbacks of making COVID-19 vaccination compulsory? Lin Suling gets answers from David Lye, Director of the Infectious Disease Research and Training Office at NCID, and Ashley St John, Associate Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School’s Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

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With one of the world’s highest vaccination rates and the ability to quickly test for COVID-19 infections, some questions were raised this week when the Singapore Government said it would not rule out a circuit breaker as it navigates a path towards opening up further. Is it possible to have a clean, clear exit strategy from the pandemic? And how close is Singapore to being able to live normally with an endemic COVID-19? CNA's Lin Suling speaks to Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, member of the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination, and Professor Ooi Eng Eong of the Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases at Duke-NUS Medical School.

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Penalised for breaking COVID-19 rules and refusing to wear a mask, Benjamin Glynn and Paramjeet Kaur claimed rules are not for "living people" with "sovereign rights". Where did such ideas come from? Are they a nuisance fringe group with little traction, or could there be a more serious undercurrent gathering steam slowly? Tan Ern Ser, Associate Professor of Sociology at NUS and Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law at SMU unpack this phenomenon with CNA's Lin Suling.

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Malaysian politics has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. With prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob now at the helm, ready to appoint a Cabinet, CNA’s Lin Suling asks ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute’s Dr Francis Hutchinson and Singapore Institute of International Affairs’ Dr Oh Ei Sun: Will the new government survive a confidence vote? Will UMNO seize this chance to redeem itself? What are the implications when the monarchy, which was never meant to be a backstop against politics crises, steps in? And are these dynamics simply part of Malaysia’s journey towards becoming a “normal” democracy?

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Millions have downloaded and streamed movies, plays and sitcoms to survive the pandemic. But what is like on the other side of the screen? Has COVID-19 compromised what the big screen can bring across and shaken up the movie industry? Lin Suling speaks to veteran filmmaker Juan Foo and Kew Lin, a full-time independent filmmaker on the challenges of production, the rise of streaming and how far passion can go in making movies in Singapore.

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One has been a competitive swimmer since 11 while the other switched out her nurse's uniform to train for hours on the water. Swimmer Quah Ting Wen and rower Joan Poh talk to Lin Suling about taking part in the unprecedented Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the extraordinary pressures of competing for international sporting glory, dealing with criticism and why despite it all, they will always choose the tougher life of an elite athlete.

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Since the death at River Valley High School, mental health has become a key issue in Singapore. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing outlined efforts to enhance mental health literacy and recruit more school counsellors. Do the suggested solutions go far enough? Or are they simply a band-aid, when deeper systemic and mindset shifts are needed? Lin Suling speaks to Minister of State for Education Sun Xueling, Principal Counsellor at Care Corner Bettina Yeap, and Adrian Tan, parent of four.

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Eateries are on their knees with the latest round of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) restrictions. What has it been like to be in the eye of the storm for more than a year? Have billions of dollars in relief made a difference? What are diners looking for in the post-pandemic dining experience? And are eateries ready to implement potential rules allowing only the vaccinated to dine in? Lin Suling talks to Anthony Yeoh, chef-owner of Summer Hill restaurant and Jesher Loi, Ya Kun’s Director of Branding and Market Development.

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Do these curbs suggest Singapore is further away from a new normal? What will it take to get there? Why not differentiate between those vaccinated and those who are not? And does living normally with COVID-19 hinge on getting seniors vaccinated? Lin Suling speaks to Dale Fisher, Senior Consultant at the Division of Infectious Disease, National University Hospital, and Jeremy Lim, Associate Professor at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

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