Views & Visions: Three’s a crowd Part 1

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Category: Health

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. redundant / rɪˈdʌn dənt / (adj.) – no longer necessary or useful
    Example:

    Some jobs have become redundant because technology can now do them faster.


  2. get around (something) / gɛt əˈraʊnd / (phrasal v.) – to find a way to deal with a rule or law without actually breaking it
    Example:

    Some people get around the state’s high sales tax by making expensive purchases in the state next to it.


  3. walk-in / ˈwɔkˌɪn / (adj.) – visiting without a reservation or appointment
    Example:

    We accept walk-in customers; you don’t need to make an appointment.


  4. clear-cut / ˈklɪərˈkʌt / (adj.) – easy to identify and understand
    Example:

    There’s a clear-cut difference between the two options.


  5. the devil is in the details / ðə ˈdɛvəl ɪz ɪn ðə dɪˈteɪlz / (idiom) – used to say that something seems really good but may actually have small details that could cause problems
    Example:

    The overall plan looks okay, but we should carefully check everything. For an event this big, the devil is in the details.


Article

Read the text below.

Some questions have become redundant in Singapore recently.


A while ago, it was, “Eating in or takeaway?” With a spike in COVID-19 clusters and community infections, the government banned dining in for about a month. Eateries could continue operating, but only for deliveries and takeaways.


Recently, dining in was finally allowed to resume. However, we can only eat out individually or in pairs.


According to the new restrictions, groups of more than two people who are not from the same household are not allowed to dine together at eateries.


Large groups of friends might be tempted to get around the rule by splitting themselves into pairs and making multiple reservations at multiple tables at the same eatery. But the government says that’s not allowed. The rule applies to walk-in customers too.


Exceptions are made for people from the same household. As long as you live together, you can eat out together. However, you have to make it clear that you are from the same household.


The rules may seem clear-cut in theory, but in reality, the devil is in the details. For instance, how do you prove that you are from the same household? One way is to show your national identity card to restaurant staff. Our identity cards clearly state our residential address. (Tan Ying Zhen)


To be continued…


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The author says that large groups of friends might be tempted to get around the rule by splitting themselves into pairs and making multiple reservations at the same restaurant. In your opinion, is it okay to try to find a way to get around rules that you dislike? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Exceptions are made for people from the same household, but you have to make it clear that you live together. Why do you think some people might struggle to prove that they’re from the same household? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Some people feel that restaurants and bars have been unfairly targeted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Do you agree, or do you think it makes sense that restaurants and bars have the most restrictions? Why? Discuss.
  • Do you think restaurant and bar owners who don’t follow the restrictions should be fined or punished in some other way? Have you noticed many restaurants and bars not following restrictions in your country? Discuss.