REACH 298 - What are your views on Singapore’s approach to prevent the Omicron variant from establishing itself in the community, in particular the pausing of the relaxation of social measures, and tightened border measures? (SK)
01 Dec 2021 (10am - 7pm)
REACH
[9:47 am, 01/12/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
Welcome back! π
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[10:01 am, 01/12/2021] +REACH: π’ Topic π’
The relaxation of social measures will be paused, and travellers entering Singapore will face stricter rules from 11.59pm on Thursday (Dec 2), as Singapore and the world work to assess the implications of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant that has already spread to at least 16 countries. These tightened restrictions will be in place for four weeks. They will be reviewed or extended if necessary, said MOH.
π¬ What are your views on Singapore’s approach to prevent the Omicron variant from establishing itself in the community, in particular the pausing of the relaxation of social measures, and tightened border measures?
Minister Lawrence Wong said border measures are Singapore’s first line of defence against the Omicron variant. They buy the country time to shore up its other defences.
Even so, experience has shown that Singapore cannot rely solely on such measures to stop the new variant, given that countries with very strict border regimes, such as China and New Zealand, saw Delta outbreaks, he said.
This means that vaccination and boosters, as well as contact tracing and safe management measures remain critical, he added.
While the current social measures, such as allowing more people to dine together in restaurants and hawker centres and also increasing group limits for gatherings, will not be dialled back for now, the task force said it will hold off on further relaxation.
The new measures from Dec 3 include:
▶️ All air travellers entering or transiting through Singapore must get negative pre-departure test 2 days before departure
▶️ Those entering Singapore to take PCR test upon arrival
▶️ Those on VTL flights to take additional PCR test at quick test centres on day 3 and 7 of arrival in Singapore
▶️ Weekly PCR rostered routine test for airport, border front-line staff
▶️ No home recovery for confirmed and suspected cases of Omicron variant, close contacts to be placed on 10 day quarantine at designated facilities
ππΌ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/spore-to-pause-relaxation-of-social-measures-tighten-border-restrictions-to-buy
ππΌ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/stricter-testing-for-air-travellers-what-you-need-to-know-about-singapores-border-measures
ππΌ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/no-changes-to-covid-19-local-measures-for-now-too-early-to-tell-if-tightening
ππΌ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/singapore-facing-snakes-and-ladders-situation-ong-ye-kung
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[10:15 am, 01/12/2021] +Anthony: Hi morning,
After 2years later We heard the same old theory again ,
Which we heard the same old stuff from Multi Taskforce said
Which boarders was the first line in our defense capability to shut down the Omicron Variant
However ,How effectively
Can we be assured all this measure are useful to shut down this virus into our Community's
We had experienced the Delta Variant spread into our Community's even after the MOH health precaution & measure had being taken
I wondering this new measure really useful to safeguard our nation
Lastly, i hope our nation won't be experience another Delta Variant setbacks
[10:22 am, 01/12/2021] +Smiley face: https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/modernas-ceo-doubtful-the-current-crop-of-covid-19-vaccines-will-be-as-effective-against-omicron-variant-as-they-have-been-against-delta/articleshow/88002363.cms?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=msn_content_partnership
[10:23 am, 01/12/2021] +Caleb: Hope Gov pre-purchase vaccines that is against this new variant.
[10:23 am, 01/12/2021] +Caleb: For booster shot
[10:48 am, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: More money to buy new ones π
[10:48 am, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Becomes like yearly subscription π€¦π»♂️π€¦π»♂️
[11:15 am, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. Omicron has infected 13 countries already in a short period of time.
It shows how fast it can spread given a chance to do so
2. Hence restricting border measures and enforcing tests at our borders are the right move in an attempt to stop Omicron coming to our shores.
3. No matter how tight our border measures can be, one day we will see Omicron seeping through just like Delta.
Thus we must be prepared for it.
4. By freezing the current local measures is a wise thing to do - because we don't want a situation when Omicron hit home - we need to scramble to roll back our local measures - which will be more economically, socially and psychologically more damaging.
5. As for vaccination strategy, it make more sense to go into generic vaccination:-
a. 2 full vaccination jabs
b. 1 booster jab
- to protect ourselves from all strain of Covid be it original, Delta, Omicron and other strains.
And to protect ourselves against transmission, world medical community should actively and put in resources to look into nasal spray vaccines that can block all strains of Covid from infection. This is a more sound vaccination strategy.
Else human will have to face the situation whereby:-
1. 1 booster jab for Delta
2. 2 jabs for original
3. 1 booster jab for Omicron
4. 1 booster shot for alpha, 1 for gamma, 1 for beta etc. 1 for future strains.
Our arms will be full of holes and our bodies full of various types of Covid vaccines.
6. Having say so, if worst come to worst whereby only Omicron vaccines is the only way to stop Omicron, even after 3 shots - as last resort, we may have to go for our 4 shots - the Omicron shot - hopefully this won't happen.
But notice that 2 Israel doctors will 3 shots got infected by Omicron - but only display mild or no symptoms.
[11:20 am, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. S Africa experience reveal that those vaccinated only display mild or no symptoms when infected by Omicron.
2. Those more serious illness that need hospitalisation are those unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
[11:22 am, 01/12/2021] +jimmy chew: Credit to the ministers in charge for balancing risk and return. Keep up the good balance
[11:22 am, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/covid-19-omicron-variant-vaccines-protect-south-africa-expert-2345321
COVID-19 vaccines probably protect against severe illness from Omicron variant: South African expert.
[11:22 am, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
No evidence yet that vaccines won't protect against severe disease from Omicron variant: Oxford University. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/oxford-university-omicron-variant-vaccine-evidence-2348246
[11:22 am, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/two-israeli-doctors-infected-with-omicron-says-hospital
Two 3 jab doctors in Israel infected with Omicron, says hospital. But they develop only mild symptoms.
[11:26 am, 01/12/2021] +Joseph: I read the first few news articles on Omicron.. apparently, the SA Doctor who sounded the alarm said symptoms observed were mild even for the unvaccinated.
My suspicions is that these unvaccinated patients had most likely caught and recovered from the Alpha and Delta variants previously. So they already have antibodies which probably explains the mild symptoms.
If an unvaxxed - and never encountered previous CV variants - person in SG is infected, the outcome may be different.
[11:26 am, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Note that Delta variants and some other strains are still infecting the world population even though Omicron look possible to dominate and crowd out other strains.
We can't be waiting only for Omicron vaccines and not take the 3 generic vaccination shots that can protect ourselves from all strains.
Else if we don't get Omicron, we could get infected by Delta or othe strains.
[11:28 am, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
All Omicron infected are young people.
S Africa population are young people with minority are elderly.
Our population have sizeable elderly population - and the experience can be very different.
[11:58 am, 01/12/2021] +Anthony: To Ong Ye Kang minister
Maybe the best way to encourage national & any card holder in SG to take up the Booster is make sure effectively against
Omicron
Hopefully ,Our MOH expertise can prove over on that
After that, People Wil have the trust on our Booster Shot in another way wil increase the rate of Booster Jab Population
As Simple As That
[0:21 pm, 01/12/2021] +Joseph: How?
[0:23 pm, 01/12/2021] +Anthony: Ball in MOH
[0:24 pm, 01/12/2021] +Joseph: How to "make sure" ? If its possible, why no one wants to do it? π
[0:24 pm, 01/12/2021] +REACH: Lab & Data result out , Let's us know
[0:25 pm, 01/12/2021] +Joseph: What is known, is already made known .. and that is .. the only sure thing, ist hat nothing is 100% sure ..
[0:28 pm, 01/12/2021] +REACH: At least prove to us at least 70 or 80% effectively,
Everyone will δΉδΉ go to booster Jab for sure
[0:29 pm, 01/12/2021] +REACH: below that wil think twice
[0:30 pm, 01/12/2021] +Joseph: So... you mean let other guinea pigs do first then you do is it? π so... wait until when? What sample size then good enough?
[0:31 pm, 01/12/2021] +REACH: MOH can find lots of Guinea pigs for sure ,
No worries for thatππ
[0:37 pm, 01/12/2021] +RH: Gov,
Keep up the good work.
πͺπ»πͺπ»
It is heartening to know tt our feedback is not wasted.
One more thing, tho, pls look into making ART kits cheaper !!
Internal defence must also be reinforced .... π
[0:40 pm, 01/12/2021] +Joseph: For those waiting .... make sure Omicron don't find them first π
[1:00 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Now 19 Countries - up from 13 countries.
[1:01 pm, 01/12/2021] +Cross finger: So 0% are fully vaccinated?
[1:02 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
65% + 35% = 100%.
Based on math, look like fully vaccinated no hospitalisation.
[1:03 pm, 01/12/2021] +Cross finger: Great news for Singaporean then.
[1:04 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
It is only a small sample from S Africa.
Indicative but cannot draw a broad conclusion.
[1:10 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/toddlers-make-up-10-of-covid-19-hospital-cases-in-omicron-epicentre
Toddlers make up 10% of Covid-19 hospital cases in Omicron epicentre.
[1:10 pm, 01/12/2021] +Cross finger: Not sure I understand your point then - you posted that article and these figures.
If you can't draw a broad conclusion why did you post them?
Seems like you always post stuff that shows doom and gloom but when the exact same figures - which you posted - actually show the opposite, you query them.
[1:10 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Unvaccinated children particularly vulnerable.
[1:11 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Things keep moving, analysis keep evolving.
[1:13 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
If wait for everything to settle down - war over.
If can't be water - you can't fight a guerilla ever changing enemy.
[1:44 pm, 01/12/2021] +REACH: [Sent by Gov.sg – 1 Dec]
π¦ Containing Omicron variant risk
From 3 Dec:
πΉ All incoming travellers must show -ve result for Pre-Departure Test (PDT) taken within 2 days of departure for SG
➡️ Those entering SG, including from Cat II (non-VTL), III & IV countries, must take PCR test on arrival
➡️ VTL air travellers must also undergo ART at Quick Test Centre on Days 3 & 7 of arrival
➡️ VTL travellers via land links with Malaysia will need a PDT & on-arrival ART
π More info: safetravel.ica.gov.sg
π Weekly RRT for airport & border frontline workers to resume
❌ No home recovery for Omicron variant cases
➡️ Will be conveyed to NCID
➡️ Close contacts will undergo:
- 10-day quarantine at designated facilities
- PCR tests at start & end of quarantine
go.gov.sg/mohpr301121
[2:29 pm, 01/12/2021] +jimmy chew: I noticed that those wanting to eat at the hawker centers will be given colored dots to enter by the security guards. Aren't we spreading COVID at the entry points since they have to wait for the colored dots π€£π€£π€£
[3:04 pm, 01/12/2021] +Anthony: Actually food court & Hawker Centre wasn't need to give away small dot sticker to patron ,
What else can be proven those patron inside this eateries
The check point already checked before entering to this premises
Red Shirt SDA can always do the spot check ,After all
Let's make Tracetogether be work more useful
[3:09 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Could Omicron variant be first step towards endemic disease?
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/omicron-variant-covid-19-transmissible-evade-immunity-vaccination-2347721
[3:11 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
WHO medical experts draw the same conclusion.
Early data indicative. But cannot draw a broad conclusion.
Meeting of minds.....
π§
[3:12 pm, 01/12/2021] +JC: π€£
[3:19 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Limited data means… you guys think about it. This is what we thought under limited information.
If it gets worst can’t fault us π€£
[3:19 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Proceed with caution
[3:23 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Limited data is indicative - but offer some light through projection.
It can't conclusively determine that will be the final outcome but offer some clues that it will be a possible outcome.
As S Africa population is mainly young people - it is not representative of the world population.
For example, our population have sizeable elderly. The outcome could be different.
Thus we need more representative data size to emerge before we can do a good inference.
[3:27 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Agree with you on this point. Still too early hence the pause on the VTL. Unless we have more information.
Treat as highly dangerous until proven otherwise.
[3:28 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Upcoming holiday will be a hard time… more mixed of people if it comes it gonna be hard to control the spread.
Vaccine effectiveness has yet to be determined for this strain.
[3:28 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Also our population are highly vaccinated 85% and booster 26%.
This foundation spell good for Singapore.
But we cannot be overly confident - as we need more data about the capability of the new strain - before we can take more measure approach.
At this point in time, with the early indicative data - by continuing with our generic vaccination shots + the 3rd booster is a right approach.
However, we cannot be too sure about the Omicron transmission - because 2 three jabs Israel doctors see a breakthrough.
Thus a more sound vaccination strategy is to go for 3 jabs vaccination plus the need for medical community to focus their efforts on nasal spray solutions that can block all covid strains.
[3:29 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: You type really fast π
[3:30 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Mind think as fast as finger type.
[3:31 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Really hope that not round 3 π€¦π»♂️
Alpha then delta now upcoming omicron. This like never ending π
[3:31 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Mental well-being is gonna take a hit. Specially those rely on tourism related business
[3:32 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
I always believe in Superhuman Immunity - the 2 jabs + 1 booster - which is an antidote to the coronavirus core.
[3:33 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Our dear foreign workers will have to decide to go back or stay in the very near future.
This is not gonna last for those having family just across the bridge
[3:33 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
But small adjustments maybe needed from time to time.
[3:33 pm, 01/12/2021] +Rama: Their debts I worry if go back before earning enough!
[3:34 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Many has gone home… but if it tighten another round really don’t know mentally they can do it or not
[3:34 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Family no more… the more money also no use.
[3:34 pm, 01/12/2021] +Rama: Not likely
[3:35 pm, 01/12/2021] +Rama: Life must still go on
[3:35 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: 2 years not seeing kids. If it was me. I don’t think I can last long either π
[3:46 pm, 01/12/2021] +YT: This is not how I anticipated I will learn Greek.
[3:48 pm, 01/12/2021] ☸️ Danny εΏ: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/covid-19-omicron-vaccine-who-advises-against-travel-bans-2346926
BioNTech's chief executive also struck a cautiously positive note, saying BioNTech and Pfizer's vaccine was likely to offer strong protection against severe disease from Omicron.
BioNTech Pfizer offer a more positive assessment about the current vaccines against Omicron - as opposed to Moderna CEO more pessimistic view.
[3:58 pm, 01/12/2021] +JC: the only way to move beyond the pandemic is to accelerate approval of the anti-viral oral medication (which have already proven to work). Like influenza, you can't vaccinate COVID out of existence due as the dominant strain changes every season - if we can be confident that COVID can be managed via a convenient and accessible treatment (like flu), then we can move on and get back to normal.
[3:59 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: ? Novavax?
[4:00 pm, 01/12/2021] +JC: https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizers-novel-covid-19-oral-antiviral-treatment-candidate
[4:00 pm, 01/12/2021] +JC: oral anti viral
[4:00 pm, 01/12/2021] +JC: like what Tamiflu is for influenza
[4:04 pm, 01/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Interesting strategy against virus.. all different ways that we normally do in experiments.
Didn’t know they use it for treatment eventually.
[4:36 pm, 01/12/2021] +Joseph: π
[6:45 pm, 01/12/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan
[6:54 pm, 01/12/2021] +Kevin: Good night Megan
[6:56 pm, 01/12/2021] +Anthony: Nothing much to comment ,Until the Amicron hit our Shore
Hopefully until 2023 not yet hit our Shore
Have to wishing thinking sometimeππππ
[6:57 pm, 01/12/2021] +REACH: Hopefully, LW said sooner or later hit our Shore
Not in our reality of lifeππ
[7:00 pm, 01/12/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan π
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