Yay! We made it past the circuit breaker into Phase One. With all that time we're spending at home, it's no surprise that most of us have been on the internet a lot more. While terms like “coronavirus” and "Covid-19" are expected to have topped the Google charts during our CB period, there were also non-Covid Google searches that made the trending list.
From bubble tea to Kim Jong Un, here are some of the few things that Singaporeans searched for on Google during the CB.
"How to make bubble tea"
The CB was extended on 21 April, and it was also announced that bubble tea stores would be closed. The next day, searches for "how to make bubble tea" increased sharply. Under the same umbrella, “tapioca pearls” also increased in searches. Are you still interested to learn how to make your own pearls? Check out our recipe here!
"McDonald's"
Oh, what a dark chapter we entered on 19 April, when it was announced that our favourite fast food giant was closing their doors. People flocked to Google to find out more. Thankfully, they reopened 3 weeks later, much to everyone's delight.
"Diy face mask"
Face masks are likely to be a part of our lives for quite awhile, so besides the questions on "where to collect masks" and “where to buy masks”, people have also been turning to Google to find out more on how to "diy face mask".
"Chloe Ting workout"
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One good thing that came out of the CB is that it encouraged people to exercise more. With gyms closed, Singaporeans turned to “Chloe Ting workouts”. ICYMI, Chloe Ting is a popular fitness YouTuber who uploads home exercise routines and challenges.
"Dalgona coffee"
The it-drink of 2020! Singaporeans love Dalgona coffee so much, we’re actually number two in the world for searching it online.
"Milo dalgona"
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And our deep love for the malty, chocolatey drink led us to create our own variant of the Dalgona drink.
"Nintendo Switch"
April saw a spike in searches for "Nintendo Switch" after the CB was announced. Understandably so, seeing how games are a great way to help with boredom!
"Animal Crossing"
In the same breath, “Animal Crossing” also saw an increase in popularity which has lasted as Singaporeans sought to escape into virtual islands.
"How to cut hair at home"
Another dark chapter was when our local barbers and hair salons had to close. Some Singaporeans turned to Google to learn “how to cut hair at home”. We hope that those haircuts turned out well! If not, it's a relief that hairdressers are open now.
"Kim Jong Un"
Remember when rumours were rife about the North Korean leader’s health? Google searches for “Kim Jong Un” saw a sharp increase as the infamous dictator disappeared for over two weeks, with some speculating that he had passed away. It was nice to have a non-Covid topic trending for awhile!