Harvard student crafts quiz that determines your type according to your Singapore political crush

Boredom at a time of social distancing can prove to be useful. You could take all that time on your hands and put them into something productive — or you could, like Harvard undergrad Yong Han Poh, craft a quiz  that would determine what type of partner you prefer according to the Singapore politicians (and one famous contractor) you admire. 

In something that’s totally not meant to be taken seriously, Yong posted on Facebook the characteristics or four prominent figures dealing with a nationwide health crisis. 

They’re none other than Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister for National Development (and coronavirus task force chief) Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, and Phua Chu Kang, a contractor who’s known to be the "best in Singapore, JB and some say Batam". 

At the risk of ruining the joke by explaining too much, Yong (jokingly) lists down the traits that you value in a partner according to you “quarantine crush”. If you feel inclined towards Minister Wong, hey, you’d like someone calm and steady, especially in times of crisis. If Minister Heng’s more your jam, perhaps you prefer someone sensible and serious. 

Again, it’s not something to take seriously, but it certainly is amusing (and pretty astute). The Harvard senior who’s studying Anthropology and East Asian Studies definitely has a lot of time on her hands after the college abruptly ordered students to move out of campus last month due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Currently in self-imposed quarantine after returning from the United States, you can read more about her isolation experience in a personal essay for Southeast Asia Globe.

ilyas@asiaone.com