TWITTER POLL: Overwhelming majority say keep lockdowns until coronavirus defeated

Few - if any - are enjoying the lockdown. But most say it is necessary if the coronavirus is to be defeated. (File/Shutterstock)

• The lockdown is seen as a necessary evil for many
• There are still people who believe that it's time to move on

DUBAI: Two-thirds of people say countries should continue to extend the lockdowns enforced to prevent a second wave of the coronavirus from striking, an Arab News Twitter poll has revealed.

Nearly 2.5 million people have been infected with the virus globally, of which more than 171,200 have died.

But despite the ongoing increases, many countries have been looking into the possibility of easing the rules that were imposed to slow the spread of the potentially lethal virus.

Of the 1,213 people who took part, 907 said they believed extending the curfews and other restrictions was necessary to stop a second wave of the disease, while 305 said it was time to move on.

Singapore had previously been heralded for its calm approach in its handling of the virus, but in more recent times has seen the number of cases explode after a spread that began among the island-nation’s migrant labor force.

Now the Asia Pacific country has been forced to impose a partial lockdown after daily increases of around 1,000 people infected with the coronavirus.

@K_Suwaid said the Singapore example was reason enough to maintain the curfews and other restrictions.

 

Deja vu! Singapore has eased restrictions recently and it turned out a terrible mistake.

— Khalid Suwaid (@K_Suwaid) April 19, 2020

In the US there has been a resistance to the lockdowns, with protestors standing in the streets - although, despte their apprent defiance, some were seen wearing protective masks.

However @mazzy_mazz says that while a curfew can help a bit, it still needs to be part of a bigger plan.

 

I believe it will stay for a long time and curfew can hold it for a while but can not stop it, suppose if a single person left with it then it will spread again. So lets fight it with safety measures and proper guidance. Let people run their business with following proper SOPs.

— mazzymazz (@mazzy_mazz) April 19, 2020

Now take our new Twitter poll

 

#POLL: Have you managed to keep fit during the #coronavirus lockdown or have you piled on the pounds?

— Arab News (@arabnews) April 21, 2020