REACH 299 - With the emergence of the Omicron variant, how concerned are you? How can we remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19? (SK)
06 Dec 2021 (10am - 7pm)
REACH
[9:44 am, 06/12/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
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[10:00 am, 06/12/2021] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢
There were 552 new Covid-19 infections in Singapore on Sunday (Dec 5), including a new imported Covid-19 case who has tested preliminarily positive for the Omicron variant. He arrived here from South Africa on Dec 1 and was on the same flight as two previous Omicron cases. He had not interacted with the community and there is currently no evidence of any community transmission from the case, said MOH.
At the Multi-Ministry Taskforce press conference on 30 November, it was explained that the Omicron variant is an unknown threat. Measures were immediately taken to reduce the risk of the variant establishing itself in our community, while the Ministry of Health (MOH) works with its international counterparts to find out more about the variant.
💬 With the emergence of the Omicron variant, how concerned are you? How can we remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19?
▶️ Vaccination: There is an emerging view amongst scientists around the world that existing COVID-19 vaccines will still work on the Omicron variant, especially in protecting people against severe illness. While studies on vaccine effectiveness for infection and severe disease compared to previous variants are ongoing, there is strong scientific consensus that we should take our vaccinations and boosters to protect ourselves against any existing and future variants of COVID-19.
▶️ Effectiveness of tests: MOH said studies show that in addition to the polymerase chain reaction test, antigen rapid tests are also effective in detecting Omicron cases.
▶️ Transmissibility: Early clinical observations from South Africa and globally suggest that the variant may have increased transmissibility. It may also be associated with a higher risk of re-infection, compared to the Delta and Beta variants. This means that there is a higher likelihood of individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to be re-infected with the Omicron variant.
▶️ Severity: Cases who have been detected around the world have mostly displayed mild symptoms, and no Omicron-related deaths have been reported so far. Common symptoms reported include sore throat, tiredness and cough.
👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/too-early-to-determine-omicrons-severity-but-scientists-say-existing-covid-19
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[10:04 am, 06/12/2021] +Caleb: Have to consider wear N95 or KN95 or double mask - surgical and cloth mask when going to indoor or public transport with large crowds
[10:05 am, 06/12/2021] +Caleb: keep social contacts, minimum and closed
[10:08 am, 06/12/2021] +BL: Not too concerned at the moment because Gov is taking cautious steps. Virus mutate all the time, such as Flu. We need to get used to this and not let Covid become an obsession. Living in the West after 9/11, all people talked about was terrorism and the War on Terror. It dominated everything for years. Really hoping we do not let Covid become the War on Viruses....
[10:09 am, 06/12/2021] +BL: After 20 years of the War on Terror, the US withdrew from Afghanistan and handed the country back to the Taliban, as we all know. $Trillions of dollar was spent on that.
[10:10 am, 06/12/2021] +BL: It's good we are being careful. I just got back from Europe and it's not well managed over there. We see the results of indecision and lack of care. Rules are not enforced.
[10:12 am, 06/12/2021] +BL: It's also good we are 'opening up' because it's not practical or healthy to live under constant social limitations.
[10:13 am, 06/12/2021] +BL: "With the emergence of the Omicron variant, how concerned are you? How can we remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19? - same as before. After 22 months, we all know the drill.
[10:14 am, 06/12/2021] +Cross finger: I’m not too concerned.
96% of our eligible population is vaccinated (87% of the total population is vaccinated). 28% of total population has had boosters. Everyone is still wearing masks.
The Government and the population has done as much as it can – more than almost any other country.
We need to move on.
There is endless stats on the differences between vaccinated and non-vaccinated. I’m afraid if non-vaccinated people get Omicron now that’s their own fault.
[10:17 am, 06/12/2021] +Cross finger: Completely agree. If we can't live life what's the point in being alive?
[10:17 am, 06/12/2021] +BL: 100% - well said.
[10:18 am, 06/12/2021] +BL: Yes, you summed it up really well in your earlier message. We've done everything, more than any other country. Please, let's move on to more productive conversations.
[10:21 am, 06/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Living in fear is the worst.
But we also have to learn from this. Cause if the day disease X come won’t be so forgiving.
To let the people have a feel of how life will be like.
[10:22 am, 06/12/2021] +Ken Loh: And let the government really work on a viable model and with real life implementation to know all the hidden cost and how much it takes to run all these and the trouble of implementing it.
[10:24 am, 06/12/2021] +BL: Gov seems to have found it's pace handling this. I'm content to support them as they balancing opening up with containing outbreaks. It won't be perfect, but they're doing a good job.
[10:25 am, 06/12/2021] +BL: Unless there is something new to discuss then I'm focusing elsewhere!
[10:26 am, 06/12/2021] +jimmy chew: I think we are a special breed of people, who take control of our lives, that why we're in Reach.. haha.. I was surprised to hear some of my neighbors are worried but surprisingly the older gen are non that panicky, their children are, telling them not to travel or go out of the house.
[10:27 am, 06/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Also a problem sometimes… within a small circle never hear from the other end of the spectrum 😅
[10:28 am, 06/12/2021] +Ken Loh: We are educate and pretty much more involved in the community issues. But does not always representative of the public. Just a small sub group
[10:39 am, 06/12/2021] +JC: "With the emergence of the Omicron variant, how concerned are you? How can we remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19? - not super concerned as I expect the MMTF to have taken the necessary steps in the background already to improve our healthcare surge capacity, plus accelerating approvals & supply of oral COVID therapies that will allow most infected patients - even older, at risk population - to recover at home (like a normal influenza episode).
I expect Omicron to reach out shores soon given the many VTLs and I would urge the MMTF to make sure we have the systems and processes in place to cushion the spike in infection - which should be mostly mild given our high vaccination rates and early data on Omicron - without needing to impose tightening of measures again.
More stringent measures in testing incoming travelers without long quarantine period will be helpful to limit risk of transmission from VTLs.
[10:59 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
1. Omicron are mainly from overseas and have not come ashore yet.
Hence more vigilant to test travellers coming to Singapore become more important to ensure that they do not bring in Omicron while the world medical community are doing deep study on the nature of this Omicron.
2. This will help us to buy time to further bolster our internal defence:-
a. Get the unvaccinated vaccinated.
b. Ramp up booster to those eligible.
3. Preliminary study shows that those vaccinated show very mild or no symptoms - a good defence against not only Omicron but also all covid strains.
4. Maintain current social distancing measures - ie no need to roll back or open up more - as we wait for more data on Omicron to emerge.
5. The current measures are sufficient to get our economy going and a good balance to maintain public health safety - as can be seen from the various covid infection indicators.
6. We have managed to control the latest Delta wave.
Except I am a bit concern about the daily death number.
7. When we get more accurate data about the Omicron - we can then come up with more measure approach on how to tackle the Omicron while opening up our economy.
[11:00 am, 06/12/2021] +Caleb: WFH should be defult, until after 2022 CNY at least
[11:03 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
1. Note :- we still have 4% adults and elderly unvaccinated.
2. We have about 10% children unvaccinated.
3. We need to get these 2 last groups vaccinated - before we can do bolder steps once we get more data about the Omicron.
4. S Africa experience shows that many unvaccinated children are infected and send to hospitals.
[11:05 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/worrying-number-children-pregnant-women-153102050.html
Worrying' number of children and pregnant women in hospital as omicron surges in South Africa.
[11:05 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/will-covid-19-drugs-be-less-effective-against-the-omicron-variant
Will Covid-19 drugs be less effective against the Omicron variant?
A concern raise on monoclonal antibodies treatment.
[11:05 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Big outbreak of Omicron in Norway in a big Christmas party.
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/omicron-coronavirus-cases-from-oslo-christmas-party-may-surge-to-100
[11:05 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Too early to determine Omicron's severity, but experts say existing Covid-19 vaccines offer protection: MOH. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/too-early-to-determine-omicrons-severity-but-scientists-say-existing-covid-19
[11:05 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/early-clinical-observations-globally-suggest-omicron-covid-19-variant-may-have-higher-reinfection-risk-moh-2359701
Early clinical observations globally suggest Omicron COVID-19 variant may have higher reinfection risk: MOH
[11:11 am, 06/12/2021] +Elena Woo: I think children below 5 and below 12 need to be vac asap. Omicron seems to hv higher severity for the younger ones as they are currently unvac.
[11:13 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Agree.
If Omicron comes, it will infect like wildfire - because their transmission rate R0 is higher than Delta.
[11:15 am, 06/12/2021] +Cross finger: This is exactly what was said about Delta and it hasn't happened because we're vaccinated and wearing masks.
[11:16 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Delta didn't infect thousands of Singaporeans everyday?
[11:17 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Despite vaccination and wearing masks?
[11:17 am, 06/12/2021] +Cross finger: No. Covid has. The MOH hasn't determined which variant each infected person has (or certainly hasn't published that) so saying so it a pure guess.
[11:19 am, 06/12/2021] +Cross finger: As has been discussed here to death, there was inevitably going to be an increase in infection rates once we opened up. Vaccination and mask is why our infection rate was - and remains - so low compared to other countries.
[11:20 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/delta-most-prevalent-covid-19-variant-in-singapore-for-now
[11:27 am, 06/12/2021] +Cross finger: That article was six months ago and is about a two or three week snapshot in May. As said, the MOH doesn't publish the stats (or if it does it's very hidden in the website).
[11:29 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Delta is now the only dominant strain in the world.
[11:30 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
http://www.ncid.sg/News-Events/News/Pages/Delta-strain-behind-the-rising-death-toll-from-COVID-19.aspx
Ncid report.
[11:32 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/delta-covid-variant-now-dominant-worldwide-drives-surge-us-deaths-officials-2021-07-16/
Delta COVID variant now dominant strain worldwide, U.S. deaths surge -officials
[11:33 am, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/09/22/delta-dominant-variant-mu-who/
Delta is ‘by far’ world’s most dominant coronavirus variant, WHO says
It’s outcompeting mu and other coronavirus variants
[0:03 pm, 06/12/2021] +Cross finger: You often re-post links to articles like this where the pithy headline supports your point but the content of the article actually doesn't.
The discussions is about Singapore so:
- the Washington post article is not relevant because "the World" (which is what the article is referring to) is not the same as Singapore since "the World" has not taken the same approach to wearing masks, social distancing, inbound quarantine or had the same vaccinate roll-out as Singapore has.
- the Reuters article is again about "the World" but actually seems to be based on US numbers, so again is not relevant to the situation in Singapore.
The supposed "NCID Report", this is actually a repost on the NCID website of a 23rd August Straits Times article so it's not an actually an NCID report at all.
The reposted Straits Times article says that more Covid victims in Singapore that die had the Delta strain and I don't dispute that. But the discussion is about infections not deaths. The Straits Times article doesn't contain any stats on whether Delta is currently the most prevalent strain of Covid in Singapore; it may be but it doesn't say that it is.
Incidentally one of the only stats that the Straits Times article does contain is that in the UK the Delta mortality rate was actually lower than the Alpha mortality rate:
"He pointed to a release by Public Health England this month that showed lower mortality in people infected with the Delta variant compared with the Alpha variant. Out of 226,446 people in Britain who had Alpha, 4,284 - or 1.9 per cent - died. Against this, out of 300,117 who were infected with Delta, 743 - or 0.25 per cent - have died."
Again, demonstrating that these comparisons are not necessarily that helpful.
[0:04 pm, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
You need a platform to step down is it.
Let readers decide who make more sense.
[0:21 pm, 06/12/2021] +BL: Yes asap please
[0:23 pm, 06/12/2021] +BL: This makes a lot of sense, thanks for taking the time to write it.
[0:27 pm, 06/12/2021] +JC: +1 ya... Danny just spam selective articles. Not very useful usually cos we all know how to Google.
[0:27 pm, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid19-delta-variant-surge-cases-ncid-director-leo-yee-sin-2204181
NCID executive director explains how Delta variant is fuelling COVID-19 surge
[0:27 pm, 06/12/2021] +Caleb: + 2
[0:28 pm, 06/12/2021] +65 9729 3850: +3 no point keep repasting news articles and spam this chat group
[0:29 pm, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Delta is indeed the most dominant strain in Singapore currently.
[0:34 pm, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
And if we get reckless like Europe, Omicron has all the potential to crowd out Delta - and become the dominant strain.
[0:35 pm, 06/12/2021] +Joseph: So.. where do you draw your references from since according to you, "Washington post article is not relevant...", "Reuters article is again about "the World" but actually seems to be based on US numbers...", " supposed "NCID Report", this is actually a repost on the NCID website ....", "reposted Straits Times article says that more Covid victims in Singapore that die had the Delta strain ....But the discussion is about infections not deaths ....article doesn't contain any stats on whether Delta is currently the most prevalent strain" and "the MOH doesn't publish the stats (or if it does it's very hidden in the website)" .... 🤷♂️
[0:36 pm, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Especially if we have insufficient data to determine how harmful or harmless Omicron.
Until we have more information.
[0:44 pm, 06/12/2021] +Joseph: How ironic that some of the people complaining (directly to REACH moderators) of "abusive behavior" see nothing wrong with ganging up against another contributor who is simply sharing his opinion AND substantiating it with sources he used for the analysis which led to his conclusions. What is the logic behind insisting suppressing FACTUAL news/data/links?
[0:48 pm, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Don't worry.
We just need to be factually correct.
Provide good analysis and insight.
REACH and the government will know how to make use of the information and implement policies that benefit the Country.
I am veteran enough to withstand cyber bullying.
I use to be very active in foreign forum - where cyber bullying is even more intense
So let us stick to issue, stick to facts and provide our best well meaning contribution and feedback.
It won't go to waste.
[0:57 pm, 06/12/2021] +Joseph: The trouble is, many people are familiar with the existence of statistics, but few actually understand it well enough to be able to apply it in the right way.
I would suggest you continue with what you doing and not pay too much attention to the vocal minority.
Seriously, if the comment is too long or I am not interested in the views/comments from certain contributors, I just skip over the messages. Takes me an extra second to do that.
Suppressing a dissenting view/comment will eventually lead to echo chambers ... in which case, I wonder why not these people just form a separate chat, invite REACH Moderators (if needed) and like-minded "friends", and carry on with the echoing, high-fiving and back slapping 😂
[1:01 pm, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Hahaha.
Yes agree.
We can develop high EQ with such platform.
We can also develop good WQ (Wisdom Quotient) - by putting our analysis and insight for people to challenge.
If we can withstand the veracity and rigorous challenge of our feedback and contribution - then our contribution will be valuable to the government and the nation.
[1:07 pm, 06/12/2021] +Joseph: Too many "strawberries" around in my opinion.....likes to flaunt their "intelligent-sounding opinions", but easily bruised and can't accept criticisms/challenge to their opinions. I fear for our future if this is going to be the people influencing it.
[1:11 pm, 06/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Don't worry.
If things are not going the right way, people will voice out.
Also we did voice out when some advocate free for all endemic like Europe. If we go along this path the whole nation will be dead like what Europe is going through now.
Our idea on Middle Path Endemic - save Singapore and now we have managed to control the Delta wave.
So don't worry, I am not afraid of cyber bullying.
I am only focus on proposing the right solution - if things are not going the right way.
Anyway, our government is very wise.
They won't be reckless.
[1:28 pm, 06/12/2021] +Boon: Dear REACH, assuming “Omicron” means there are over 10 variants now as measured by the Greek alphabet set, and we can’t and shouldn’t react in fear or from ignorance with every variants, a consistent National set of policies is important to allow us to “live with Covid and its variants” on a long term basis. Remaining vigilant would be an integral part of such policies, including certainties of how Sg respond would with incomplete info. Cost effective test kits should be the norm asap, so that people can test more regularly as part of daily/weekly hygiene. Constant re-vaccination and long term social restrictions shouldn’t be seen as policies’ silver bullets for all as they would cause social marginalization and issues.
[1:49 pm, 06/12/2021] +Anthony: Dear Reach,
After many Covid episodes , I'm someone who stIl believe prevention was the best cause to stop the spread of virus the best method .
I was against the SIA stIl having daliy flight to South Africa for transit .it makes easier for Omicron to step into our nation
Secondly,
Do SIA should consider stop flight to Africa for the time being,
It will help local scentist to buy more time to get the data of Omicron means get more knowledge about the virus itself
Thirdly,
Since Covid 19 started on January 2020 ,I fully expected the road path of normal day wil soon be a history.
For now , We unlikely to go back the days we mask off & Tracetogether more places are required to check these day
Personally,
I felt troublesome various of time when we go out have to wearing Mask & Token but thinking again health issue liase in everyone
No choice but precaution needed by this time[1:58 pm, 06/12/2021] +jimmy chew: My friends told me that Omicron was detected by South Africa, they equipment are more sophicated compared to there rest. Omicron has existed but not detected until now
[2:00 pm, 06/12/2021] +Rama: What about it having been in Europe earlier than South Africa?
[2:03 pm, 06/12/2021] +Anthony: Just like Covid 19 Wuhan first France first being detected ,Who earlier😅😅
[5:23 pm, 06/12/2021] +Anthony: We should have attitude all this precaution measure should be here to stay for several years ,
Let's set til 2025 Dec 31.
However
The senior one & Low income earner shouldn't have to pay once their token had being lost
Cos, This Wil become like Key or Wallet it will lost at anytime
As we Singaporean lives in busy daliy life, it will happen sometime in our path of life
Socal service office should take note of that
Make it more convenient & more accessible to reach ,When those who need help from Cash to Food & Grocery etc Those Low income able to reach out
No need to check so much ,As long they earn less
That should be all it need
We will call it real helping hand
[6:46 pm, 06/12/2021] +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
[6:59 pm, 06/12/2021] +Smiley face: 6 December, 2021
To: Distinguished MTF and All Honorable Members
The Loudhailer And The Broken Records - - "You know best, a case of severe flu!"
- - anonymous
These days perhaps the word COVID is ranked top ten key word in Google search engine?
Comes the next big gathering of all reasons and locations in hundreds or thousands; do not be alarmed nor nervous, are we well prepared psychologically and infrastructurally ready?
The most RECENT memories of D variant and numbers: The highest daily cases were 4248 and the lowest at 552. For daily death ranged from 2 to 16. The R ranges from 1.3 to 0.66 while the ICU usage ranges from 51.2% to 83.6%.
What's can we expect the next 30 days and longer into 2022?
Perhaps the stabilised D variant will be surpressed to a daily number of 300 to 400 cases. Given the impending O variant, the projected daily cases will hoover around 300s, a mixture of D & O variants - mutually exclusive! The ICU rate of utility will be at most 80% with pre-planned capacity towards 150%. For daily death, it will mirror the D variant range of singular to more than a dozen deaths.
Main:
1) World Knows - -
Death rates, Medical challenges and Socioeconomics disruptions.
2) Government Knows - -
Tests, Identifies, and Treatments
NCID, ICU, CCU, CCF and Home.
3) Business Knows - -
Operations, Mitigations and Options
4) Community Knows - -
Common areas, public areas and Indoor areas
5) Family Knows - -
Age group, Risks and Exposures
6) Individual Knows - -
State of health, Risks and Remedies
Assessment of Risks - -
Two years have passed and on going; a simple and quick assessment of covid damage and death is to ask your immediate relatives, close friends & colleagues and friends friends.
What's the number of passive and mild covid positive friends, colleagues or relatives the last 90 days?
Perhaps, a handful.
How many Covid positive individuals admitted to hospital you know of?
Maybe 1, 2 or 3.
How many death due to natural, accident, terminate and covid related last 90 days you are aware of?
At most 2.
What's the annual number of Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome?
What's the damage & death from a tree falling onto your moving car in a heavy thunderstorm?
What's the chance of fallen death in a cliffhanging job in a high rise building in progress?
Confidently within 99%, the above occurrences are less than 1% of the entire circle of friends, colleagues and relatives regardless of state of health, risks, exposures and covid.
To conclude, regardless of health and vaccine stations, the ever EVOLVING covid variants (alpha to zeta) will emerge and coming so much so that the world will need to ADAPT and ACCEPT these changes and moves on with the least fear and worry.
For fear and worry will add to the upward trajectory of socioeconomics challenges, this simple case HUMAN sufferings in all spectrum from intangibles like Mental health to tangibles that is Livelihoods!
After all, we have an armoury of vaccines, loads of medicines and technologies to mitigate damages and deaths - unless otherwise, why worry?
Afterwords:
Metaphorical (car = country and / or variant):
In a planned outing, a convoy of 200 exotic cars moving at high speed on the autobahn.
There is a LEADER and the rest of the cars safe distancing one another, the last car is known as the SWEEPER.
In an unintended and sudden piled up accident, the most likelihood of severe damages or deaths happens usually in the FIRST to MIDDLE part of this convoy of high speeding cars.
The least hurt ones are the ending of this convoy and the sweeper, simply this lot tends to escape the SANDWICH of a road accident.
What's the lessons?
History:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_flu
Quotations:
"Be aware and don't be overly afraid..."
- - anonymous
“船头怕贼，船尾怕鬼……”
- - old Cantonese saying
- - END - -
[6:59 pm, 06/12/2021] +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 😊
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