We Survey COVID-19's Effects

As we approach 3 years living with COVID-19, it is undeniable that the virus has significantly changed the way we live, work, socialise and impacted the moments in-between. It has been a challenging time, but it is also worth celebrating how far we have come and the milestones we have achieved.

Just as important, is reflecting about the behaviours we have adopted while adapting to the virus. the good, the bad, and the important lessons we should learn as we continue to live with COVID-19. Read on as Dr Serene Wee, general practitioner at the Parkway Shenton Medical Clinic at Robinson Road, sheds light on these topics.

What are some of the long-term effects of COVID-19 on our health?

As we continue to see COVID-19 cases in Singapore, it is important to be aware about the potential long-term effects an infection has on our health. Symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Breathlessness
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Palpitations
• Joint pain
• Muscle aches and weakness
• Sleep disturbances
• Diarrhoea
• Rashes
• Hair loss
• Impaired balance and gait
• Memory and concentration problems.

Should these symptoms persist, worsen or should new symptoms appear, get in touch with a doctor for a medical assessment so the condition can be appropriately managed.

How has COVID-19 affected healthcare in Singapore?

The healthcare sector has been rapidly evolving to respond to COVID-19. From managing COVID-19 cases in foreign worker dormitories, to managing COVID-19 patients in the community, we have seen our healthcare staff go above and beyond to attend to patients while pushing through high case-loads.

Some key initiatives that helped support the fight against COVID-19:

• COVID-19 vaccination centres set up to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to residents once the vaccines were ready for use.
• Parkway Shenton clinics frequently stepped up to support the Ministry of Health in the fight against COVID-19. During the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in February to March 2022, our clinics extended our clinic hours to offer testing services and to support our patients as they recover.
• In addition, many of our healthcare services now offer COVID-19 related services such as pre-departure COVID-19 test for travellers, serology tests for recovered COVID-19 patients, and updating Singapore's national electronic records for individuals who had their COVID-19 vaccination(s) done overseas.
• With work from home becoming the default working arrangement, there was also increased demand for telemedicine services and house-call services. Telemedicine services were also used in the Home Recovery Programme for stable COVID-19 patients.
• There has also been an increased focus on preventive care, especially in the form of vaccinations for transmissible diseases. People were made more aware of vaccines for flu, pneumococcal infections, whooping cough and shingles.

Has COVID-19 given rise to new behaviours?

As COVID-19 swept the nation, we have inadvertently seen new behaviours and habits surface in response. We survey some of them and their impacts.

COVID-19 Habits: The Unsavoury

1. Obesity

While work from home arrangements offer flexible work timings, we have seen an increase in the number of individuals gaining weight. This has likely occurred due to the following habits that become easy to fall into given the absence of an official reason to leave the home:

• Reduced physical activity by staying home
• Relying on food delivery services for a quick-fix, hence consuming foods high in calories and low in nutrition
• Snacking
• Lack of exercise

As a result of obesity, individuals are at greater risk of facing conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

2. Vitamin D deficiency

As people have also been staying indoors more during this time, less exposure to sunlight may result in them facing a Vitamin D deficiency. This can affect the elderly especially adversely, as this deficiency is associated with osteoporosis and affects bone and muscle health.

3. Mental health concerns

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, particularly due to limitations in group sizes, restrictions to home visits and activities such as dining in at restaurants, attending religious services and exercising at gyms, social interactions between family and friends took a hit.

For those who relied on these activities as their main source of physical and mental support, this void left them more susceptible to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

For the less tech savvy older population, the challenge was two-fold. Being unable to transition to a virtual platform to catch up on their social meetups and attend community services or gatherings, they were especially prone to being isolated from their loved ones and community.

COVID-19 Habits: The Good

While the pandemic has exposed us to various negative behaviours and its resulting implications, it has also taught us positive practices that we can continue to apply to our living and working situations.

1. Reduction in other transmissible diseases

During the pandemic, there was a significant reduction in other transmissible diseases like influenza flu, viral gastroenteritis and also hand foot and mouth disease. Proper hand hygiene such as washing and sanitising our hands regularly has prevented transmission of viral gastroenteritis and hand foot and mouth disease, while mask-wearing prevented transmission of influenza virus through respiratory droplets.

People also learnt to be more socially responsible by isolating themselves at home when ill to prevent the transmission of illnesses.

2. A nudge towards vaccinations

There was also increased awareness to get vaccinated to protect ourselves, and our loved ones. More people sought to get vaccinated against the influenza, on top of COVID-19 vaccines.

Looking back, we've certainly come a long way in our efforts to fighting COVID-19 in Singapore. Faced with challenges, we have also seen the rise of new behaviours to adapt and evolve – some to our benefit, while some at the expense of our physical and mental health.

Ultimately, it is up to us to discern which habits we should take with us into the future, whether it is going for that run right before starting your work day, or spending more quality time our loved ones. Here's to living more mindfully so you can make the most of your journey ahead as we continue to live with COVID-19!