REACH 302 - What are your views on the latest COVID-19 measures to ensure that Singapore is prepared to deal with a spread of the Omicron variant in the community, even as reopening plans continue?
What do you think of easing of the default work-from-home stance from Jan 1, to allow 50% of those who can work from home to return to office? Are you looking forward to return to office for work? (SK)
15 Dec 2021 (10am - 7pm)
REACH
[9:52 am, 15/12/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
Welcome back! 😊
⏰ We will be opening the chat from * 10am to 7pm* today. ⏰
House Rules (short version of our Terms of Use) to keep in mind:
1. Be kind and respectful. We all want to be in a safe space to share our views.
2. Any and all threatening, abusive, vulgar or racially, religiously and ethnically objectionable content is prohibited.
3. Consider the quiet ones among us and give them a chance to comment.
4. No need to repeat your comment or in different forms (including caps) - we heard you loud and clear the first time.
5. Let’s protect each other’s privacy and keep contact details in this group what it should always be - confidential.
Full set of Terms of Use: https://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms
We will strive to uphold these rules to ensure this is a safe space for all.
Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies.
The topic will be posted shortly.
Thank you
Megan 😊
[10:00 am, 15/12/2021] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢
Singapore is bracing itself for an Omicron wave by pressing on with the national booster programme, ramping up healthcare capacity and promoting regular testing, so that the nation can ride the next Covid-19 surge even as reopening plans continue.
While Singapore has not detected any community transmission of the Omicron variant yet, it is only a matter of time before this happens, said Minister Gan Kim Yong at a press conference on Tuesday (Dec 14). "This may then lead to another surge in cases because of the highly infectious nature of the Omicron virus. We must therefore prepare ourselves for such a scenario."
From Jan 1, Singapore will ease its default work-from-home stance and allow 50 per cent of those who can work from home to return to the office. This comes after an earlier announcement that from Jan 1, only employees who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 within the past 180 days can return to the workplace.
💬 What are your views on the latest COVID-19 measures to ensure that Singapore is prepared to deal with a spread of the Omicron variant in the community, even as reopening plans continue?
What do you think of easing of the default work-from-home stance from Jan 1, to allow 50% of those who can work from home to return to office? Are you looking forward to return to office for work?
📌 What you need to know about the new COVID-19 measures: https://str.sg/3fCW
Some of the key announcements are:
👉🏼 Plans to ramp up hospital and ICU capacity, expand role of GPs in home recovery: https://str.sg/3f9z
👉🏼 Up to 50% of staff who can work from home can return to workplace from Jan 1, vaccination-differentiated measures to be expanded to more settings and events from Feb 1: https://str.sg/3f9n
👉🏼 Third mRNA dose needed to extend vaccination status, reduced exemption period for those recovered from COVID-19: https://str.sg/3f9K
👉🏼 No booking required for Moderna booster shots; monitoring time for booster jabs to be halved to 15 minutes: https://str.sg/3f9F
👉🏼 Number of Covid-19 quick test centres to double to about 120 in coming weeks: https://str.sg/3f9e
👉🏻 Singapore citizens can enter Malaysia via land VTL from Dec 20: https://str.sg/3f92
------
[10:04 am, 15/12/2021] +Caleb: 50% go back work. Sure cases will surge
[10:05 am, 15/12/2021] +Caleb: Should 25%
[10:05 am, 15/12/2021] +Caleb: If companies want 50% all shld do ART weekly test
[10:05 am, 15/12/2021] +Caleb: If gov is pushing for ART as the norm
[10:06 am, 15/12/2021] +Caleb: Not looking forward to return to ofc. Cause am sure cases will surge then go back square 1 again
[10:10 am, 15/12/2021] +Boon: https://sg.yahoo.com/news/singapore-implement-validity-period-full-110552522.html
[10:11 am, 15/12/2021] +Boon: We should not be rushing into policies that are based on emergent situations.
[10:11 am, 15/12/2021] +Boon: So far, time has shown that vaccines are not the silver bullets, and there are side effects.
[10:12 am, 15/12/2021] +Ah Heng: is good to be optimistic but something overly optimistic is not good... like yesterday 1 day soo many good news? let's see let's see .......
[10:30 am, 15/12/2021] +JC: This is wonderful news. Please stay/accelerate the course of resuming to normality soonest possible - hopefully 100% sometime soon. It's a long time coming!
[10:40 am, 15/12/2021] +Caleb: https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN2IT0PB
[10:44 am, 15/12/2021] +BL: "What do you think of easing of the default work-from-home stance from Jan 1, to allow 50% of those who can work from home to return to office? Are you looking forward to return to office for work? - looking forward yes to having the option of going into the office. Wouldn't want to work with unvaccinated people though - why is this not a requirement, or is it considered now that everyone is vaccinated so doesn't need to be a rule?
[10:48 am, 15/12/2021] +Ah Heng: wanna bet in a few day it will suddenly says how good pifzer again is .. den a few days later another report will says how bad it is ...
[10:51 am, 15/12/2021] +Joseph: So far, time has shown that without vaccines, the CV19 "side-effect" known as death, is worse 🙄
[11:00 am, 15/12/2021] +BL: "However, the Government is considering removing a concession that allows unvaccinated people to return to the workplace if they test negative for Covid-19, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong." - yes please remove this concession.
[11:01 am, 15/12/2021] +BL: "The expansion of vaccination-differentiated measures means that people will have to be vaccinated to enter a wider variety of settings.
These include all indoor sports facilities - even those that are privately owned - institutes of higher learning and leisure guests in hotels, hostels and serviced apartments.
All events - even those with fewer than 50 attendees - will also be subject to these requirements. These include funeral memorial services and work-related events." - yes good. Please ensure only vaccinated people are eligible for entry and participation.
[11:01 am, 15/12/2021] +Joseph: The reports only state the results of the tests.
Different population, environment, population demographics etc will of course result in different results/outcomes. We should be more worried if ALL the results are the same.
End of the day, it is people who interpret whether it is good or bad.
[11:03 am, 15/12/2021] +BL: Only Citizens? Why is that? "Separately, the authorities announced that the quarantine-free land travel scheme between Singapore and Malaysia will be expanded, to allow vaccinated Singapore citizens to enter Malaysia via the Causeway from next Monday (Dec 20)."
[11:04 am, 15/12/2021] +Joseph: Ask Malaysia lah 😂 It's their border leh... obviously they control right? 😂
[11:53 am, 15/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/first-omicron-death-uk-confirmed-boris-johnson-114409623.html
First Omicron death in UK confirmed by Boris Johnson.
There is a lag in infection, hospitalisation and death.
[11:53 am, 15/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/omicron-transmission-fill-hospitals-icus-143201802.html
Omicron transmission will ‘fill up the hospitals and the ICUs’.
[0:01 pm, 15/12/2021] +Timothy Low: Actually since we know omicron is highly infectious why does the Government still want to allow 50% to return to office? We should take a more cautious approach if not we will take many steps back again
[0:03 pm, 15/12/2021] +BL: This is how the UK counts death from Covid: "The first definition is death within 28 days of the first covid positive swab date. The second is death of someone with a laboratory confirmed positive covid-19 test who either died within 60 days of the first swab or, if covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate, died more than 60 days after the first swab." https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3220
[0:04 pm, 15/12/2021] +BL: Considering the number of people with covid, I'm surprised there are not more deaths counted. Clearly if some has a tragic accident they won't attribute it to covid, but if someone dies from natural causes, and tested positive within 28 days, then they will.
[0:10 pm, 15/12/2021] +Joseph: Are you suggesting ALL deaths should be categorized as Natural Death then? Since death is a natural progression of life. All other ailments/injuries/accidents at most hasten the process 🤷♂️
[0:11 pm, 15/12/2021] +Caleb: +1
[0:13 pm, 15/12/2021] +Joseph: And what is the point of arguing about how a statistic is recorded? It obviously is not going to change your mind (or mine) about whether to respect the virus more or not. Anti-vaxxers will just insist that counting a death towards CV19, is nothing more than a Govt conspiracy to “control” the populace, by mandating mask wearing, or inserting a tracking/monitoring device via the vax 😂
[0:17 pm, 15/12/2021] +CQ: +1
[0:24 pm, 15/12/2021] +Ken Loh: Never try never know 🤣
[0:24 pm, 15/12/2021] +Ken Loh: UK now default WFH
[0:45 pm, 15/12/2021] +Joseph: Omicron is an imported variant. The fight to limit its spread is at our borders, not the office and/or our F&B outlets.
More importantly, the emergence of variants of concern such as Omicron - previously Delta - should hopefully be seen once again as evidence of the importance of having a high vaccination rate.
It is unlikely that a new variant will emerge/originate from Singapore because of our high vaccination rate, The vaccine (for now) does not fully prevent CV19 from spreading, but it has proven very effective in limiting its virulence and ability to mutate.
It is not a coincidence that countries that consistently see the emergence/origination of new variants/mutations are those that have low vaccination take-up rates.
Anti-vaxxers, please take note.
[0:49 pm, 15/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
Vaccine effectiveness against severe COVID-19 drops slightly, still 'significant protection': WHO
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/vaccine-effectiveness-against-severe-covid-19-drops-slightly-still-significant-protection-who-2379661
[1:34 pm, 15/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
1. Looking at all the trend and vital indicators - the current Delta wave in Singapore more or less have been controlled.
2. Thus, allowing cautious relaxation of measures is warranted to ensure our Economy continue to perform.
WFH as default is the most stringent measures - the CB measures.
With 31% population receiving the boosters, 97% adults vaccinated (only 3% adults and elderly are unvaccinated), but 300,000 young children unvaccinated - cautious relaxation of measures concerning jobs and business can be cautiously tried out - though we must be aware that Omicron which has now infected 70 Countries and spreading very rapidly that likely to outpace Delta is looming.
3. I cautiously support the 50% WFH and 50% in office for the following reasons:-
a. We have reported 16 Omicron landed in our shores - but mainly contained at our border - 14 imported and 2 infected are customer service. There are no sign of community infection yet.
b. WFH 50% is merely allowing the business the flexibility to adjust its workforce presence in the office if needed and not overly rigid. Business can choose to make all default WFH or can allow 50% to be presence in office as the business required because :-
i. Notice that some projects required physical human interaction - as virtual zooming is unable to get the projects going as smoothly as with physical interaction - especially when project deadline is looming.
ii. There is a need to boost the commercial district business activity eg., downtown f&b, food centre, shopping, retail, public transport and private transport - which are badly impacted as a result of default WFH.
c. However, if Omicron has begin to manifest in our local community - we must be prepared to move 50% WFH back to WFH as default.
I think the adjustment is not too disruptive for the business - as all the remote working infrastructure and operational mode is in place.
It is about workers appear in office more or less.
However, downtown retail, f&B and transport will be the most impacted.
4. Meanwhile as we keep Omicron at bay, we must ramp up our efforts in internal defense to do the following :-
a. Ramp up booster shots from 31% to beyond 50% for all eligible adults and elderly. 3 shots vaccination have been proven to be up to 75% effective against Omicron and more than 90% effective against Delta and other current strains - as various studies have shown.
b. Continue to persuade the 3% unvaccinated adults and elderly to get vaccinated.
c. Start vaccination for the 300,000 children who are unvaccinated.
The Omicron wave is no joke as it has already infected 70 Countries already in such a short time - and it has the potential to out surge Delta.
Hospitalisation number could be overwhelm like Delta wave.
[3:18 pm, 15/12/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors
We’d love to hear more from you on today's topic 😊
We have had good feedback and hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Megan
[3:25 pm, 15/12/2021] +Caleb: I hope Novavax will be approved for booster shot
[5:01 pm, 15/12/2021] ☸️ Danny 心:
1. Notably, 3 vaccination stages are observed in 2 previous covid surge :-
a. Original covid strain
b. Delta variant
2. The 3 stages are :-
a. Persuasion Stage - where the Government and medical experts persuade the population to vaccinate - by providing information, statistics, merits of vaccination, its side effects and the danger of covid.
This stage will persuade open-minded population to vaccinate to protect themselves, their loved ones and the Society.
b. VDS stage - Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measure Stage - whereby the Government introduce measures to nudge those who "sit on the fence" to vaccinate while covid strain start to spread.
c. Events-Driven Outcome stage (or Panic-driven stage or Gadang Gabo stage) - whereby the covid strain start to manifest rapidly, many infected, sizeable people ended up in hospitalisation, some are serious and some succumb and die.
This stage is panic-driven - whereby unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people scramble to get themselves fully vaccinated and those eligible scramble to get their booster.
2. The original strain infection - are less stark while going through the 3 stages - as at that time, vaccination is still not available and at its infancy.
3. But during the Delta wave, the 3 stages are more stark.
Luckily, majority have been vaccinated, and majority of the total population have gone through stage 1 (more than 70%), while VDS pust another 20% over to get full vaccination.
3rd stage push more people to scramble to get their booster and the unvaccinated to vaccinated - driving up vaccination from 90% to 97% now ---- when thousands get infected everyday, hundreds landed up in hospitals, ICU and couple of death per day.
4. For Delta, US study reveal the transmission R0 = 9.
Omicron display the transmission as many times that of Delta - which means R0 > 10 - will far exceed 10.
5. This means if Omicron start to manifest in our Community - Omicron will spread like wildfire ----- and Stage 1 and Stage 2 will be quickly superseded --- and it will land us in Stage 3 - Panic-driven mode.
6. Hence, it is imperative that :-
a. Those who are eligible for booster - should quickly sign up to get their booster jab.
b. Those unvaccinated adults and elderly - should quickly get themselves vaccinated.
c. Unvaccinated young children - should sign up to vaccinate as soon as vaccines are made available to the young children.
7. Because the moment Omicron take hold in the community - there is no way to stop it - as its transmission rate far exceed that of Delta.
Full vaccination (with booster) is our core defense against Omicron.
[6:45 pm, 15/12/2021] +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, 15/12/2021] +Smiley face: 15 December, 2021
To: Distinguished MTF and All Honorable Members
"Not A Hamburger-Hill, This Virus War"
Main:
Efficacy of Vaccines (USA)
1) Moderna
2) Pfizer
3) J & J
(disclaimer for all facts and all time line)
In sync with what the Americans efficacy data, Moderna seems to be the choice for covid booster, a slightly better protection against covid and its range of variants.
(disclaimer for all facts and all time line)
Secondly, if a vaccinee missed the window period to boost (assuming 180 days validity from dose #2), say a further 90 days lapse. Its not simply affecting one's vaccination status but the body immunity and vaccine efficacy thus this absence vaccinee perhaps will need to revaccinate from dose one, dose two and so on. Will the revaccinate cost be the burden of the delayed vaccinee or is it fair for taxpayers to pay?
A precedent practice for vaccine like Hepatitis, should there be a lapse of one year or longer from dose #2, the vaccinee will have to restart the entire Hep vaccination regime, the vaccinee has to pay for it to upkeep the vaccination status and so on. What's the practice for these mRNA and Non mRNA vaccines?
Afterwords:
A metaphorical story of virus & vaccination:
Number one, a virus is the enemy and a vaccine is like a bullet proof vest wore by soldiers during combat/war situation. Besides a bullet proof vest is a good and logical choice, a battalion of soldiers will need various weapons and strategies to win a battle
Number two, in a battle field, there are known to have enemy SNIPERS in hiding to target these bullet proof fighters in order to create an intra-platoons chaos that lead to severe distructions of the order of the battalion - though not all succeed or dead!
Number three, these well covered upper body and small arms soldiers will never withstand the mother of all bomb which ranges from C4 dynamite to the Nuclear arsenal.
What's the lessons of the 1-2-3?
Is this bullet proof vest enough for the tough and bloody battlefield?
Are there bodily loopholes other than the upper bodies to target in the eye of a sniper?
What if the enemy uses bomb of all sorts, will the Battalion survives the "hamburger-hill" of viral war?
News:
Boosters needed for extension of full vaccination status as Covid-19 variants emerge
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/exception-to-enter-vaccination-differentiated-places-for-recovered-covid-19-patients
https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN2IT0PB
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/ireland-people-ppe-world-health-organisation-india-b1975842.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/08/omicron-pfizer-ceo-says-we-may-need-fourth-covid-vaccine-doses-sooner-than-expected.html?__source=androidappshare
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”.
- - Leonardo da Vinci
- - END - -
[6:59 pm, 15/12/2021] +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 😊
=======
No comments:
Post a Comment