REACH 242 - Moving to Phase 3HA in 2 Phases (SK)
10 Jun 2021 (11am - 7pm)
REACH
[4:33 pm, 10/06/2021] +REACH: Dear contributors,
Welcome back! π
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Megan π
[4:35 pm, 10/06/2021] +REACH: π’ Topic π’
The Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) announced today (10 Jun) that Singapore will move back to Phase 3 (Heightened Alert in two stages. However, work-from-home continues to remain the default. Singaporeans aged 12-39 can also book their vaccination appointments from Friday.
π¬ What are your views on the phased easing of COVID-19 measures? How can we stay safe as we move back into Phase 3?
In the first stage starting from next Monday (14 June),
• Group sizes will be increased to 5
• Operating capacity limits for attractions, cruises, museums and public libraries go up from 25% to 50%, size limits for events such as worship services and marriage solemnisations will also be increased.
In the second stage from 21 June,
• Dining-in of groups up to 5 will be permitted if the Covid-19 situation remains under control
• Other activities such as wedding receptions and playing of wind instruments at live performances will also resume, gyms and fitness studios may resume indoor mask-off sports activities.
• In-person tuition and enrichment classes for those aged 18 and below, and higher-risk arts and culture classes will also be allowed to resume.
π https://str.sg/3Z2d
π https://str.sg/3Z2P
π https://str.sg/3Z2W
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[4:41 pm, 10/06/2021] +Caleb Wang: Great, open up a bit
[4:41 pm, 10/06/2021] +Caleb Wang: bit by bit
[4:41 pm, 10/06/2021] +Caleb Wang: think need to encourage, ppl not well to see doc immediately.
[4:42 pm, 10/06/2021] +Linda: Great news to open up bit by bits
[4:43 pm, 10/06/2021] +Linda: However there are bounds to have people who will not observe the measures given when reopen up
[4:44 pm, 10/06/2021] +Linda: +1
[4:45 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ken: This is a bit hard… MC too much if not Covid also some issues π
[4:45 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: Can I clarify whether it's a "definitely will open from 21st", or is the 21st date conditional upon the numbers remaining low?
I've seen conflicting information across the various news outlets and even across various articles within the same platform.
[5:01 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: S'pore to ease Covid-19 rules in 2 phases: Group sizes upped to 5 from June 14; dining in to resume from June 21
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/spore-to-ease-covid-19-rules-in-2-phases-group-sizes-upped-to-5-from-june-14-dining
[5:03 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: you know REACH will not reply here right? this is a one direction feedback channel
[5:04 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: Yes I know... I'm using the reply function so that others in here know what I'm referring to.
[5:04 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: Very well calibrated approach to reopening! ππ»ππ»
Fully support this measures.
[5:05 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: I think all these plans are dynamic and not set in stone
[5:05 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: if cases rise and something bad happens (choy! touch wood) then might change again
[5:05 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: But cos F&B need to reallocate manpower so gov give them 2 weeks heads up
[5:06 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: that's my gut feel
[5:06 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: I understand that... Just a clarification whether the plan is for the 21st to be a "can open up" or is it subject to certain conditions. My point is that the communication by the news outlets are unclear and conflicting.
[5:06 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: Right now is "can open up"
[5:07 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: If something bad happens before then it becomes "cannot open up" lor
[5:23 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: Maybe I'm splitting hairs with the interpretation, but what you've described is a "will happen unless something goes downhill". What some articles have said is "if you meet certain conditions, this will happen on 21st". Very fine difference, but the if-then trigger is different and this should be made clear in the communications cos that's the basic job for news outlets.
[5:25 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: all the measures have been conditional if-then process driven measures
[5:25 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: how we went from phase 1 to phase 2 to phase 3
[5:26 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: none of them are set in stone but you can see the measures working
[5:26 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: hence a calibrated approach works best
[5:30 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: I understand that. The MTF has done a pretty good job so far in their phrasing, whether it's a "will open wef (date)" or "if things continue to remain in control, we can do this after (date)", and in their use of the words "must", "may" or "encourage". ST's articles today have totally muddled the "will open" and "can open if this remain good". Maybe I'll give them a few hours to sort out what exactly the position is before I take umbrage. π
[5:34 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: The article with issue from ST ah? lol
[5:34 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: I rarely read news from ST these days
[5:36 pm, 10/06/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. Moving from Phase 2HA to Phase 3HA (in 2 phases) - is a calibrated and cautious approach.
2. And the 2 phases opening up to Phase 3HA - contingent on whether the infection number is a low single digit, unlink numbers that will not turn into a superspreader event --- is a cautious but calibrated move.
3. At the same time, I am happy to hear that those working younger adults and students above 12 years old have been opened up for vaccination - where this will further ramp up our vaccination rate at a quicker pace.
4. No announcement of quick opening up of our border measures restriction - except for Countries with low infection number.
5. All these smell good - to allow us to cautiously open up our Economy into Phase 3HA --- but at the same time, ensure the infection number don't spike while opening up.
[5:36 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: All of them actually. Mothership is the one which has been most consistent with the "can open IF conditions remain under control". CNA also had some issue in their phrasing between versions of their articles (including an error that distinct visitors to the household remain at two instead of increase to 5). ST is the messiest. No wonder KBW need to step in to kio sai π€
[5:37 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: π€«
[5:37 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Correct.... Steady moves!
[5:37 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: π€
[5:49 pm, 10/06/2021] +Jamie Bethany Koh: M actually curious - are there any statistics on the rate of transmission when dining in in food establishments?
[5:57 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Good question!
The MTF should gave by now an analytics of F&B cases compares to say HDB cases. Through these contacts tracking mechanism, it will have a preliminary conclusions (not finite) on each case and the tracks.
Once again a good question to think about!
[6:06 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Three fronts to be ahead of the infection curve...
1) Through safety measures which are implemented
2) Secondly, through identifying infectious individuals soonest by means of swabbing ops.
3) Thirdly, reporting sick and verified cases
Keys are secured measures + Identifying
Anybody has more to addon, it helps a long way...
[6:07 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: But such stats would be based on what they think was the likely transmission which is not definitive. For all you know, this person could've picked up the infection from elsewhere but just so happen to have sat next to a confirmed case at the food court. And MTF has ruled out public transport. So it's not going to be meaningful information because the premise is hole-y to begin with.
[6:12 pm, 10/06/2021] +Laurent: WFH for another 3 months?
[6:13 pm, 10/06/2021] +Jamie Bethany Koh: ππΌππΌ
[6:15 pm, 10/06/2021] +Jamie Bethany Koh: But.... there are serological tests to determine who got it from whom no?
[6:17 pm, 10/06/2021] +Jamie Bethany Koh: Personally, i feel #steadylah we can slowly go back to phase 3 (ha)
[6:24 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: The genetic sequencing will only show which cases had identical genetic signature, and that's usually indicative of a common source. From there, you look for the earliest reported case and what's most likely to be the place/event where these cases would have interacted or may have gotten infected.
Even then, it's still just a "most likely" and not a "must be". Cos first reported may not always be the source, and there are certain criteria which has been expressly excluded for practical/policy reasons such as contact below 15/30 mins (no one said that the virus had to stay behind the line and infect only after this time), public transport (cos you don't want to cripple the system), contact surfaces (cos it's impossible to track that) etc. With these variabl…
[6:25 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Correct, not finite. Thanks CQ
[6:30 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: As long as your mask (as well as others) is down the risk is there.
[6:30 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: Hence dine-in generally is higher risk vector
[6:31 pm, 10/06/2021] +Alvin Lim: But with sufficient distance we can mitigate
[6:37 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/guangzhous-battle-against-a-potent-virus-variant
This is an article which I read. Guangzhou's reported cases involved a restaurant setting, but the cases did not seem to have direct contact with each other cos they were sitting in different parts of the restaurant. I'm sure MOH is paying close attention to these developments in deciding whether the guidelines need to be updated for dine in along the way.
[6:38 pm, 10/06/2021] +YT: That's why I said what's the hurry to allow dine-in?
[6:39 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Life v livelihood
[6:41 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: There are no easy answers so let's support the steps which are going to be taken
[6:41 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: It's not really a hurry. It's a gradually easing of the restrictions, in keeping with other changes.
[6:41 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: π
[6:42 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: Tbh, I was surprised at them increasing the group size to 5 though. I thought they will keep it at 2. But I guess it's to cater to families bah...
[6:43 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: If there is a lot of covid in the community we wouldn't be seeing 2-3 cases a day. It's go the number are drastically down and continuing to trend that way. Another 2 weeks of this and we'll be almost clear again
[6:43 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: Me too, I thought same households only.
[6:43 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: Would love to know this. Surely TT can tell us?
[6:44 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: I hope we have sufficient stocks!
[6:45 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Of vaccines?
[6:45 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: They reply through other channels :) @REACH Singapore works in mysterious ways!
[6:45 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: Yes, sorry should have clarified
[6:46 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Yup thanks !
[6:46 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Thankfully looks ok for now
[6:46 pm, 10/06/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. When there is no dine-in, Economy cannot really open up.
2. Eg. if no dine-in :-
a. Workers can't work in office - as all need to tabao.
b. Transport workers can't eat in - can only eat in their vehicle.
c. No body will want to shop - mall and retailers affected - as no where for shoppers to eat.
d. No local tourists - when you tour but no place to eat - can't be squatting in the park to eat.
3. Dine-in is almost a pre-requisite of opening the Economy up.
[6:49 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: Should have enough stock for the vax! Our kiasu spirit has totally paid off. Our govt entered into early phase contracts to purchase the stocks from various manufacturers when they were still in development. That has allowed us to secure enough stocks at a presumably decent price before demand drives everything up.
[6:49 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: I'm waiting for the big announcement on travel back into the country for vaccinated negative-test residents not having to SHN for 14 days! Hoping this can be reduced to 3 days on results of a further negative test. That would be: 1) Vaccination. 2) Negative Test on Departure back to Singapore 3) Negative test on arrival in Singapore 4) 3 day SHN 5) Negative test and 'released'
[6:49 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: πππ
[6:50 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Should but there are other factors that had impacted supply I think
[6:50 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: Agreed - more SD is ok if needed, but we need to enable this to happen. Glad they are doing so.
[6:50 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Bubble, bubble...?
[6:52 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: Definitely lah, esp with maintaining the cold supply chain. But I think we'd be facing more shortage if we didn't secure the contracts early on in the game.
[6:53 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Well, one day we'll learn much more
[6:53 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: Bubble isn't very helpful other than for recreation....
[6:54 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: I very scared of the word "bubble" now leh. Seems like a cursed word π€
[6:54 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: Yea... they tend to go pop quite easily!
[6:54 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Bilateral framework to allow easier travel can only help, no?
[6:55 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: Yes it all helps, but on its own it has limited use.
[6:55 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Ya lor should be iron spheres;)
[6:55 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: What do you think will work better
[6:56 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Correct, CQ!
Europe and USA sre reopening in big ways, cross border travelling etc
Will there be new variants soon?
[6:57 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: There will always be variants. Just a question of whether it becomes widespread enough to be a Variant of Interest/Concern, and whether it'll reach our shores.
[6:57 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Correct. Danny! Very narrow path to mitigate in this highly communicable disease.
[6:57 pm, 10/06/2021] +REACH: Viral strain of Hougang Covid-19 cluster found to be the same as other nearby blocks
The Covid-19 viral strain that caused the cluster at Block 506 Hougang Avenue 8 has been found to be the same as the one detected at other blocks in the vicinity.
More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/viral-strain-of-hougang-cluster-found-to-be-the-same-as-other-nearby-blocks
[6:57 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Stronger strains?
[6:58 pm, 10/06/2021] +REACH: 'The virus does not recognise language, religion or race': Gan Kim Yong on racist incidents caught on video
The recent spate of racist incidents captured on video are a reminder that Singapore's multiracialism cannot be taken for granted, said Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong on Thursday (June 10).
More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/the-virus-does-not-recognise-language-religion-or-race-gan-kim-yong-on-racist
[6:58 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: π€·π»♀️Current trend seems to be more virulent and breaking through vaccine barrier. So we'll have to see.
[6:59 pm, 10/06/2021] +REACH: Singapore, Hong Kong to review air travel bubble in early July
Singapore and Hong Kong will review their air travel bubble arrangement in early July, before deciding on target launch dates, said the Ministry of Transport (MOT) on Thursday (June 10).
More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/singapore-hong-kong-to-review-air-travel-bubble-in-early-july
[6:59 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: and the vaccine is remarkably effective against variants, especially the mRNA version due to the basic parameters of the virus it targets. The defining spike is virtually the same in all variants .
[7:00 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Thanks CQ! Uncharted paths...
[7:00 pm, 10/06/2021] +Rama: No bursting of balloons until it starts!
[7:00 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: π
[7:00 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: This is what the world is up against: https://www.msnbc.com/11th-hour/watch/conspiracy-theorists-think-covid-vaccine-makes-you-magnetic-114581061881
[7:01 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: As in attractive? ;) LOL
[7:01 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Thanks Ben for the reminder, just so many news, variables, etc to remember...
[7:01 pm, 10/06/2021] +Rama: Wth!?
[7:01 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Wasn't too long ago there were serious concerns about the need for mRNA
[7:02 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: It is, and thankfully so. But only for now.... We won't know how long it takes until we get a Variant that still has the main spike protein but has enough variation which presents as symptomatic requiring oxygen support. Hopefully we'll never get there!
[7:02 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: Yes, there will more likely be updated vaccinations quicker than the variants can mutate that much
[7:03 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Both correct, yupp, version 2.0
[7:04 pm, 10/06/2021] +REACH: Enhanced Jobs Support Scheme to continue for sectors allowed to reopen only from June 21
With some sectors facing an additional week of closure or till June 20, the current enhancements to the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) will be extended for affected businesses such as food establishments that cannot yet resume dining in.
More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/enhanced-job-support-scheme-to-continue-for-sectors-allowed-to-reopen-only-from-june-21
[7:04 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: No matter, there will be playing catch up should there be a dominant virulent strain. But subsequent rounds hopefully we have learnt how to deal with smaller scale outbreaks
[7:04 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Ben & CQ. How you see the oral anti viral pill by Pfizer and a few others in the pipeline?
[7:05 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: as relating to treatment?
[7:05 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Griffin University in Australia is coming up with siRNA?
[7:06 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Suppose to be taken orally and works like a jap? Pfizer and a few others, year end...
[7:07 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ken: Wah
[7:07 pm, 10/06/2021] +Ben: Very excited to see this development. It's the only way I see other countries getting vaccinated quickly. Transportation, storage and delivery are huge challenges in most part of the world. A tablet would be a major breakthrough and go some way towards opening the world up again.
[7:07 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Another Pennsylvania pharma lab is working on pills to be taken orally once covid symptoms occur, like flu tablets...
[7:08 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Griffin Uni on into 3rd phase of human testing for their siRNA
[7:09 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Pfizer targeting by year end, the first covid antiviral pills...
[7:09 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: "Problems of Abundance and the Paradox towards success... "
[7:10 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: Think this is for treatment
[7:11 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: Yeah it is. Reminds me of Tamiflu back then for H1N1 for some reason... But it's a good development for sure, if it helps people to recover faster from the infection.
[7:11 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Thanks, Peter.
[7:11 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: In this area there are quite a number of possible candidates
[7:12 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: There are bright sweet spots at the end of this tunnel....
[7:12 pm, 10/06/2021] +Peter T Ng: We all hope the same
[7:13 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: Oral antivirals are generally not cheap though. So accessibility would probably be a concern for the less affluent countries.
[7:13 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: I see as Pfizer the forerunner for oral pill follows by Griffin Uni siRNA and perhaps the Pennsylvania treatment pills (flu like medication)
[7:14 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: A good point, CQ... in hundred of dollars and 7 days dose?
Augmentin, non generic!
[7:15 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: A full spectrum of drugs and japs to slow down this covid...
[7:18 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: Augmentin is an antibiotic, not an antiviral.
An example of an antiviral is Zovirax for chicken pox and shingles. Can't remember how much I paid when I got shingles a few years back already, but I remember that it wasn't cheap.
[7:19 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Looking back, 2020 was dorms, now is our housing estates and into June 21, hopefully not our F&Bs.
The fact, we love foods and Danny mentioned of the economy and livelihoods issues.
A narrow path and cautiously optimistic as we open up soon.
[7:21 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: For $ sense, Augmentin (ab) is expensive... Fyi
[7:21 pm, 10/06/2021] +Smiley face: Shingles oral pills not so, $70+ at clinic level
[7:25 pm, 10/06/2021] +CQ: Yeah I know, but not because it's an antiviral. I remember it's not as expensive as the antivirals I got.
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