REACH 304 - What are your views on the Government’s latest measures in response to Omicron? How are you coping to live with the latest COVID-19 variant? (SK)
03 Jan 2022 (10am - 7pm)
REACH
[9:55 am, 03/01/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
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Megan π
[10:00 am, 03/01/2022] +REACH: π’ Topic π’
Singapore must expect a new wave of Covid-19 cases in the coming days and weeks, said Minister Lawrence Wong following the emergence of the Omicron variant in November 2021.
"It is inevitable that Omicron will spread in our community as it has in countries everywhere," said Mr Wong on 27 Dec (Mon).
"But we have done whatever we can to prepare for this next wave, and we can weather through it together as one people."
π¬ What are your views on the Government’s latest measures in response to Omicron? How are you coping to live with the latest COVID-19 variant?
Omicron has been found to be more transmissible but less severe than the previous Delta variant, and current vaccines and boosters remain effective against it, said Mr Wong. Thus far, none of the cases here has been severe, and infected individuals have not required oxygen supplementation or intensive care, MOH added.
The Government’s latest measures aimed at weathering the latest stage of the pandemic include:
π Extension of enhanced testing regime for VTL travellers: https://str.sg/wYoM
π Omicron cases to recover at home, community care facilities from 27 Dec: https://str.sg/wxEf
π From 15 Jan, unvaccinated workers not allowed to return to workplace even with negative pre-event test: https://str.sg/wxEW
π From 27 Dec, vaccinations for Primary 4 to 6 pupils rolled out: https://str.sg/wxHS
π From 5 Jan, registration for Covid-19 vaccine to open for Primary 1 to 3 pupils: https://str.sg/wx7D
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[10:08 am, 03/01/2022] +~N: I do not understand why unvaccinated workers are not allowed to return to workplace with negative PET
[10:10 am, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: Could it be that other workers in the office are uncomfortable with the idea that an unvaxxed person in their midst?
[10:15 am, 03/01/2022] +~N: I'm not sure. It doesn't seem reasonable to me. If ART/PCR/PET are valid, why are they not acceptable for entry to workplace
[10:24 am, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: Is it reasonable for unvaxxed persons to accept that the majority who are vaxxed, MIGHT prefer not to be in close confined quarters over extended periods with an unvaxxed person even though the person might have tested ART/PCR/PET negative? We all know the tests are not 100% accurate, and its probably unacceptable for the unvaxxed to be tested daily, neither is there a way for the unvaxxed to prove that they did the necessary tests ... and frankly, who would believe a Vax-refuser would obediently follow the (same) Govt's directive to self-test?
Just saying the above is a possibility. I am vaxxed and have no issues if the Govt decides to allow unvaxxed persons in the workplace (with or without a -ve ART/PCR/PET test), mainly because I do not have any vulnerable persons in my household, which some others may.
[11:00 am, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: Non VTL π²ππ€
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid-19-vtl-arrival-pcr-tests-shn-omicron-2409406
[11:10 am, 03/01/2022] +BL: Makes sense. What's the point of the on arrival test if they have to quarantine anyway, and had to get a pre departure negative test...
[11:12 am, 03/01/2022] +BL: Overall I'm impressed by the gov response to a 2 year pandemic. Despite some slips early on they have shown to be responsive and consistent. All moving in the right direction and have proven to have made good choices in the past.
[11:25 am, 03/01/2022] +JkL: How may i know for those stay home notice, are the family who stay together able to work or school?
[11:48 am, 03/01/2022] +Elena Woo: Families who have children less than 5 years old should be wfh by default.
[11:49 am, 03/01/2022] +Elena Woo: Because vaccines still not available for those less than 5 years old!
[11:49 am, 03/01/2022] +Elena Woo: And esp children who have covid reinfection are at higher risk of MIS-C.
[11:50 am, 03/01/2022] +Elena Woo: And those who are infected with delta are still at risk of being reinfected with omicron
[0:03 pm, 03/01/2022] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. To tackle Omicron, 2 jabs plus booster is the only way.
2. mRNA vaccines seems to be more effective against Omicron according to various reports.
3. Masks, social distancing still need to be observed as Omicron is much more transmissible.
[0:03 pm, 03/01/2022] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
4. Our booster rate is at 41% total population. And all eligible population is at 91% vaccination - is a good vaccination effort.
9% more vaccination to go.
5. Looking forward, we should be more and more confident living with Omicron and future variants with such high vaccination rate.
6. We should persevere in getting the rest of the population vaccinated with booster - and we can eventually outlast the covid pandemic
[0:09 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: I disagree on a blanket ban preventing unvaccinated workers to return to the workplace because -
(1) the risk is on the individual who is unvaccinated as he/she is more susceptible to severe infection - however, this risk is not the same across all unvaccinated individuals. Those who are younger, fitter, are at low risk of severe disease even if they are unvaccinated. Ultimately, after 2 years, individuals - especially those at working age, should have an idea of their own risk appetite when it comes to COVID, let the individuals decide.
(2) I am very uncomfortable that the government think it is right to mess with an individual's livelihood due to the healthcare choices that he/she made. The right to work and employment is basic and the bar to protect this right should be higher.
(3) COVID is becoming less severe with (a) new variants (b) much more knowledge on available treatment (c) large % of population are vaccinated (d) health capacity has expanded. While it could have been more justifiable 1 year - 6 months ago to implement such measures, I struggle to see why these measures will make any discernible difference to public health today and moving forward.
[0:11 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-03/israel-offers-fourth-dose-of-covid-vaccine/100735462
[0:11 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/02/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests
[0:12 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-flurona-coronavirus-covid-influenza-b1985281.html?amp
[0:17 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: While it is good that vax is available for children - I would strongly urge the government to not mandate vaccination for children given that the risk-benefit data for young children is still uncertain. Reasons:
(1) Covid is becoming less virulent -> even more so for children
(2) Trial for Pfizer vax approval for children only consider COVID infection as the relevant outcome - there is no comparison of hospitalization rates and/or rates of severe disease. Given that children almost always present with mild disease, the benefit of vaccination is unclear.
(3) AE data for vaccines may have been under-reported due to worldwide governmental concerns over vaccine hesitancy.
At best, the data is not unequivocal that the benefits of childhood vaccination outweighs the risks. Govt should let parents decide as each family circumstances and the individual health status of the child is different -> e.g. some children may be at higher risk? (e.g. children of healthcare workers, children with underlying respiratory illness, etc.)
[1:03 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.tiktok.com/@imnosimpp/video/7047906523971964161?sender_device=mobile&sender_web_id=7048590604569363969&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0
[1:03 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.tiktok.com/@shihanahnafshoeb/video/7048115068407450881?sender_device=mobile&sender_web_id=7048590604569363969&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0
[1:06 pm, 03/01/2022] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Covid-19 responsible for higher share of deaths from all causes for younger Americans.
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/covid-19-responsible-for-higher-share-of-deaths-from-all-causes-for-younger-americans
[1:07 pm, 03/01/2022] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Unvaccinated populations fuel the emergence of COVID-19 variants. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/covid-omicron-variant-vaccine-booster-delta-transmission-rate-fatal-case-endemic-2396066
[1:09 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: Shoppers throng Orchard Road in the weekend before Christmas
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/consumer/shoppers-throng-orchard-road-in-the-weekend-before-christmas
[1:20 pm, 03/01/2022] ☸️ Danny εΏ: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/it-could-be-a-long-road-to-recovery-even-after-patients-get-all-clear-from-covid-19 It could be a long road to recovery, even after patients get all-clear from Covid-19.
[1:20 pm, 03/01/2022] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
New York sees increase in hospitalised children as Omicron hammers US. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/new-york-sees-increase-in-hospitalised-children-as-omicron-hammers-us
[1:20 pm, 03/01/2022] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/us-alarm-rise-child-covid-070044256.html
US alarm at rise in children infection.
[1:22 pm, 03/01/2022] +Laurent: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3SCsueX2bZdbEzRtKOCEyT
3 hours well spent
[1:33 pm, 03/01/2022] +jimmy chew: About?
[1:33 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: I think the argument misses 1 very important point - OTHER PEOPLE
Fully agree with you concerning personal risk matrix/considerations - esp. for younger people with no underlying co-morbidities. However, by now, we should have realised that CV19 is not just a communicable disease, but rather, it is "community disease". Our individual decisions/actions WILL affect OTHER PEOPLE as well.
We all know that a young, healthy unvaxxed individual is more likely to carry a higher viral load if infected, even if he/she is asymptomatic or exhibit only mild symptoms. This means the person is more likely to pass on the virus to someone else, maybe a vaxxed colleague, who similar may become an asymptomatic carrier. If this person has vulnerable family members living in the same household, we are putting them at higher risk of infection and potentially death.
Is it fair?
Is it not clear by now that either group will have to be "inconvenienced"? So the question is, does it make more sense to "inconvenience" the larger (vaxxed) population, or the smaller (unvaxxed) one, bearing in mind, that if it is really such an "inconvenience", there is a simple solution >> to vaccinate.... like everyone else.
[1:34 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: +1
[1:39 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-31/kids-covid-hospitalizations-reach-record-level-in-omicron-surge
[1:41 pm, 03/01/2022] +Laurent: Dr Malone is the inventor of MRNA vaccine
[1:43 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: from the article....
"In a call with reporters Wednesday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky downplayed the role of Covid in kids’ hospital admissions.
“Many children are hospitalized with Covid as opposed to because of Covid,” she said on the call. She was echoed by Karen Acker, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist and hospital epidemiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital."
[1:43 pm, 03/01/2022] +jimmy chew: Thanks π
[1:45 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Although I support and recommend vaccine for kids, it is hard to mandate it at this stage. Parents are emotional and volatile creatures and won't take kindly to be forced to vaccinate! I speak from experience.. lol
[1:46 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: If COVID remains a severe disease, I agree with your point. However, data suggests that it is becoming milder - is it more virulent than influenza at this point? Should we then also mandate influenza vaccines for all workers?
[1:50 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: BTW I already have my booster jab, I understand the need for vax for adults... but trying to balance that vs. the rights of individuals to make a living while maintaining autonomy about their own health. At this point, with less severe disease, I lean towards not having workplace mandates.
[1:53 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: Yes indeed! But it's also cos the data to vax kids are not as compelling at this point... if better data becomes available, I think some would consider and change their mind. The situation (and the virus) is evolving and at the moment, there's not the same urgency to vax children (vs. the risks) compared to when we needed to vax the adult population for the sake of re-opening and healthcare capacity.
[1:53 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: It's not just their health, that's been the consistent problem. If it was just about them no one would force it. It's about protecting everyone.
[1:55 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: yes I understand that point... but how much protection is enough? If vulnerable are already vaccinated, and disease is now milder. Put yourself in the shoes of someone who - for whatever reason, believe that vaccine is harmful for them - and then is forced to choose between livelihood and health. It's very tough!
[1:56 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: Again, if COVID is becoming more virulent, then perhaps the mandate would be more justifiable... just trying to highlight that the weight of the mandate is quite heavy.
[1:57 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Yes, very hard to monitor and enforce people are doing the PET. How much does PET cost every day anyway?
[1:57 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: Remember - even if we are vaccinated, we go about daily lives without restrictions - even if we have vulnerable family at home. And we are supposed to work towards COVID being endemic.
[1:57 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Seems that is a huge financial burden
[1:58 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Cannot go about daily lives already. No mall, no restaurant, no gym, no cinema etc.
[1:58 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: yes, so actually if unvax test (and pay for it themselves), negative test results should be good enough no?
[1:58 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: I mean for unvax
[1:59 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: current regulation is they are not allowed to return even if they are tested negative.
[1:59 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Hard to monitor I suspect.
[1:59 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: ah, I was saying that vaccinates individuals are doing normal stuff, and getting infected left-right-center anyway.
[2:00 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: vax people are spreading to vax people all the time, mostly asymptomatic
[2:00 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Well not exactly. Numbers are in a few hundred not thousands
[2:00 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: so if we allow that type of spreading to happen
[2:00 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Not really no.
[2:00 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: not true... there are many many undiagnosed cases
[2:00 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: for sure
[2:00 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: How do you know?
[2:00 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: If they are not diagnosed.
[2:00 pm, 03/01/2022] +jimmy chew: Yeah because it's 97 percent effective. They are the 3 percent π
[2:01 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: π€¦♂️
[2:01 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: 97% effective in preventing severe disease/hospitalization
[2:01 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: not in preventing infection
[2:01 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: breakthrough infection is very normal
[2:01 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: u see the figures
[2:02 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: So it's 3 in 100 getting infected, not 100 in 100. I know which is the better choice
[2:02 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Are we really debating getting vaccinated again?
[2:03 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: no no... vaccination for adults, esp at risk population makes 100% sense
[2:03 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Ok, yes that's the evidence.
[2:03 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: cos it prevents severe disease/hospitalization
[2:03 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: Stop spreading misinformation perpetuated by an "American podcaster, UFC color commentator, comedian, actor, and former television presenter*. Yes, that is what Joe Rogan is/ No where in his career/life has he been anything close to a medically trained professional. Just like a scientist is not going to re=write his scripts, Joe R. should not re-write Science.
Dr Robert Malone, is NOT the investor of mRNA vaccinces... he is self-proclaimed inventor of mRNA vaccines. He did contribute to mRNA, but he did not invent it.
mRNA studies began as far back as the 1960s.
As a graduate student in 1987, Dr R. Malone, conducted a successful experiment mixing mRNA strands with fat to produce a molecular stew that allowed Human cells bathed in this genetic gumbo to ab…
[2:03 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: So that's why gov says get vaccinated.
[2:04 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: What's the problem?
[2:04 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: yes correct nothing wrong.
Correction is this > vaccination reduces chances of infection but not by 97%... it's much less effective in preventing infection compared to preventing hospitalization.
[2:05 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: so vaccinated people are getting infected all the time... but it'll mostly be mild or asymptomatic
[2:05 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Which seems a good option.
[2:05 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: But we'd rather no one got infected
[2:06 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: Also from the article... in fact, the start of the article:
" the growing number of cases means more children are susceptible to serious illness. New hospital admissions of kids with Covid-19 have increased 66% ..."
"“The majority of our hospitalized kids are in the hospital because they are sick with Covid symptoms,” said Roberta DeBiasi, the hospital’s infectious disease chief. It’s rare for children to arrive for another reason and be incidentally diagnosed with Covid, she said."
[2:06 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: And 'all the time ' means what? A couple of hundred out of 5million.
[2:06 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: He is NOT the inventor or mRNA vaccines
[2:07 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: well.... not really, we are moving to living with the virus. Meaning that everyone will get covid at some point.
Ideally vaccinated so it'll be mild and don't stress the health system.
We are not vaccinating to prevent infection... because that's not what the vaccines promises to do :)
[2:11 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: I think his claim is that he's the holder of a number of patents that are used in the development of the mRNA vaccine. So really depends on whether you'd consider that part of being an "inventor"...
[2:11 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: yep... same article. So who should we believe? Or should they cancel each other out and we just consider this a article nonsense?
[2:14 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: Semantics - I'm sure you agree we'd rather no one got infected, while I agree that it's not likely to happen that way (Until maybe when vaccine is further refined).
[2:16 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: I know where you are coming from, and I also share your sentiments about protecting everyone's livelihood ... BUT ... is it not important to consider the majority's needs as well?
These vax-refusers want to wait it out, let others (stupid/crazy people according to them) be genuine pigs because they can afford to risk it with the virus - maybe young, healthy, no vulnerable members in household . The rest take the risk with the vax because the alternative - putting their vulnerable family members at risk - is not an option.
IT should be very obvious now, that the unvaxxed are perfect hosts for the virus to infect, transmit and mutate - just look at countries like South Africa. Its not a coincidence that so many variants of concern are from SA. They can host …
[2:16 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: I think you should listen to the podcast first... Rogan never claim to be a medical professional and he's always made it clear that he's not one and he's just speaking from his own experience/observations. He'd ask his guests - in this case Dr Malone, who is an expert in his area - questions and hear them out.
Malone is obviously controversial as his stand deviates from the mainstream consensus but the whole point he is making is that some of the decisions made by FDA/CDC/governments are not entirely foolproof and based on robust data. It's worth listening to his POV, compare notes, and make your own assessment on what makes sense.
[2:17 pm, 03/01/2022] +jimmy chew: Not everyone is such. Some really have medical reasons and complications
[2:19 pm, 03/01/2022] +REACH: More than 280,000 households receive $30 public transport vouchers
More than 280,000 letters have been sent out to households here, notifying them to redeem a $30 public transport voucher that can be used to top up fare cards or buy monthly concession passes.
This is slightly less than half of the 600,000 public transport vouchers that have been set aside to help lower-income commuters cope with the latest public transport fare hike, which kicked in on Dec 26 last year.
More: https://str.sg/wg4H
[2:22 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: I respect your POV but don't share it, nonetheless, don't wish to be argumentative or to "divide" people based on their positions on these issues. My position is not fixed and prepared to adjust as more data/info becomes available.
I do feel that vaccines AE are under-reported though - have been hearing more cases (direct contacts) of individuals who developed post vax AE but doctors don't report due to its sensitive nature, plus it's really hard to prove direct biological links.
[2:22 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: I WAS in 2 minds about vax for our youngest family member as well.... in the end, decided to go ahead and book the appointment,
My reaons were:
1. the vaccine has been proven to be very safe
2. so far, data has shown that the vaccine is effective in reducing virulence
3. SG borders are opening up whether you like it or not. Which means we new variants incoming + higher probability of encountering the virus. I want to be as prepared as possible when that happens, rather than be tormented with the thought of "what if" in case we are "unlucky ones"
[2:22 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: Having said that - I still support adult vaccines, again this is weighing up both the pros/cons.
I think our national vax rates is already very high... we don't need 100%.
[2:26 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: Fair enough.... would suggest you do take a closer look at the Pfizer trial for young children vaccination that the FDA used for emergency approval though.
The outcome variable is infection (not severe disease/hospitalization), plus there's limited follow up, plus the sample size is too small to capture AEs like myocarditis, plus there's no monitoring of AEs that might not surface immediately.
All in all, it is true that vaccine will reduce likelihood of infection - but it does not necessarily mean that severe disease/hospitalization will be reduced. Long term safety is unknown as the follow up is too short and sample too small.
[2:28 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: But again, not saying that you need to change your mind but just wanted to share that it is plausible that a more prudent approach to childhood vaccination can be understandable too... esp if you weigh it against the likely benefits in the context of a weakening disease.
[2:29 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: I think childhood vax can still make sense for some children as every child is different - every family is different.
[2:30 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: I just want to say we shouldn't mandate it unless there's much better data
[2:31 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: remember that conventional vaccines trials usually take MUCH longer than what we have allowed for mRNA vaccines. We short circuited it cos of the emergency caused by the pandemic. It is not normal to approve vaccines so quickly.
[2:32 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: From a regulatory perspective, we took the shortcuts cos it was necessary. but we need to recognize that the approvals are not based on data at a level that's usually accepted in normal circumstanes.
[2:33 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: actually not very true. We need to get infected in order to trigger a strong and permanent T-cell response/immunity.... the vaccine is not 100% required, but having been vaccinated increases the likelihood that:
1. we will not fall seriously ill when infected
2. the virus is not able to replicate as quickly
>> lower viral load >> less viral shed >> less infectious >> less likelihood of mutations
I think the G/MOH is trying to increase the probabilty of encountering the virus now that the majority of our population is fully vaccinated, but at the same time, keeping the unvaxxed - who are perfect reservoir foir virus mutation - away to lower the likelihood of new variants emerging.
[2:35 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: Vaxxed people will still get infected... the current mRNA vaccines are only 40-50% successful (if I recall correctly) in preventing infection from Delta. The main difference is that the vaccines prevent the virus from replicating too quickly, thus buying our body time to mount a T-cell immune response and keeping the symptoms mild while our body fights the infection.
[2:39 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: I think both are true. Which means there are other unknown variables at play here. Which does not take away the fact that the earlier statement from Dr Roberta DeBiasi is also true.
So, considering it is a known possibility - and maybe because I am kiasu/kiasi - it makes more sense to me to err on the side of caution ie. that Omicron MAY BE more dangerous for kids..... because ignoring this and being wrong, to me, has higher costs/consequences than the other way around.
[2:42 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: I want to eventually be infected.... but not until all my family members are fully vaxxed/boosted .... it is a necessary step towards gaining full immunity.
[2:52 pm, 03/01/2022] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. With 50% workforce reporting to office.
2. Schools reopening and children going back to schools.
3. Mentally we will have to be prepared for more Omicron infection cases.
4. The last 2 days see a small spike in infection cases - with Omicron contributing about half or slightly less to the total infection cases.
[3:06 pm, 03/01/2022] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. The last 2 days we have seen about 400 over cases.
2. Now with more people reporting to work and more children going back to schools - let see whether it will breach the 1000 over cases again - as people debate whether to vaccinate or get boosted or not.
[3:09 pm, 03/01/2022] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
3. Also important to watch are the hospitalisation number as well as the death number (which has been reporting very low number).
[3:11 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: I will definitely find time to listen to this other rant of his... π
True what you say about him making all the necessary disclaimers .. but it does not take away the fact that he is enriching himself by feeding into the anti-vax/conspiracy theory narrative/frenzy.
Also kind of agree on the part that "some of the decisions made by FDA/CDC/governments are not entirely foolproof and based on robust data"....
But my point is this .... end of the day, there are still many unknowns wrt this virus/pandemic ... is it the right thing to do, to sow more distrust and confusion? Which has a worse outcome? To be wrong about the virus or the vaccine? π Would you leave a toddler to decide on his career choices even after explaining to him/her as much as you can, wha…
[3:11 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: Yes... and that is an even smaller minority, which the G/MOH has made concessions for.
[3:13 pm, 03/01/2022] +Stella Yip: Still see smokers mask down waiting and cross at pedestrian crossings with other people. As I smell their smoke I try to move away as much as I can. I really hope G will have rule for these smokers to stay still and smoke at designated spaces only.
[3:17 pm, 03/01/2022] +JkL: +1
[3:19 pm, 03/01/2022] +BL: +1
[3:22 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: I've been a long time listener of the Rogan podcast, it's actually mostly entertaining but also sometimes provide interesting POV on a wide range of topics.
Some points to note:
- He's not enriching himself by feeding into the frenzy... he's already very rich, especially after the Spotify money thrown at him before the pandemic. (he's one of the top podcasts in the US for a long long time)
- He's actually a left leaning individual on many social issues but also have some preference in terms of gun rights/freedom of speech. He's actually not very republican if you really listen to him often enough. Like most normal people who think for themselves, he has a mix of beliefs/preferences that don't neatly fall into the typical left/right wing divide.
- He's recently invited the doctor from CNN (Sanjay Gupta) on his show as well. Completely left-wing guy :) Go check it out. Apparently left-wing people are afraid of going on his shows cos they are worried about getting cancelled.
- The cool thing about the podcast is that it is long form so you can hear the guest really expand on their ideas/positions - not every guest looks good at the end, sometimes the more they say, the more you realize they are dodgy. Ultimately, it's helpful contextual info and leaves the listeners more info to make a judgement for themselves.
- Many of his guests are highly credible scientists (he even had Sir Roger Penrose on his show once)... and as I work in healthcare, I can confirm that the POV shared by the healthcare related guests are really interesting/credible.
[3:27 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: Will re-subscribe to his podcast and give it another go π No harm getting another point of view
[3:28 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: π it's good fun to listen when working out or running... enjoy :D
[3:28 pm, 03/01/2022] +Joseph: π
[3:30 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: Actually come to think of it, he's probably the most wide-ranging, non-partisan, interviewer I know... who else can claim to have Dave Chapelle, Alex Jones, Bernie Sanders and Ben Shapiro to be guests on their show?
[3:30 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: https://youtu.be/3jT59eDDB7U
[3:32 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: +1
[3:32 pm, 03/01/2022] +JC: Fauci is 100% more dodgy than Malone... haha
[4:06 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: Omicron cases now make up 17% of Covid-19 infections in S'pore: Ong Ye Kung
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/omicron-cases-now-make-up-17-of-covid-19-infections-in-spore-ong-ye-kung
[4:06 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: Philippines faces biggest ever Covid-19 surge, Omicron could be dominant strain before end-January
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippines-faces-biggest-ever-covid-19-surge-omicron-could-be-dominant-strain-by-january
[4:56 pm, 03/01/2022] +Anthony: The public transport hike price ,G should know who else CPF account was consider Low income family rather then the public have to apply themselves for Transport Voucher.
Government should have bigger heart seeing our Low Income group was one big part of SG success not just the white collar job or seating at home job like WFH but those who sacrifice themselves for going out in raining days to work,
This Low Income group deserve alot more
I suggest Government should continue to uphold the right for Low Income & Part Timer given them more help in every way like SRV Voucher for another round
They seldom go overseas for holiday
Government should do more for this group
Given them to explore SG more & meanwhile giving them credit for their hardship
Not many white collar workers can carry tons of goods like storeman as well stood various hours a day & provide customer service to our customers like Retail Associate
As well our cleaning auntie & uncle taking the risk of Covid 19 situation just to continue to work to made end needs
Government should given more to Low Income Group they are our Pillar at our homeland
[5:54 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: All eyes on progress of S'pore's reopening, VTL expansion for 2022 economic outlook
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/all-eyes-on-progress-of-spores-reopening-vtl-expansion-for-2022-economic-outlook
[6:45 pm, 03/01/2022] +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
[6:58 pm, 03/01/2022] +Smiley face: 3 January, 2022
To: Distinguished MTF and All Honorable Members ( A Happy New Year!)
"Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance."
- - Plato
What:
This fair and logical assumptions that include known or unknown side effects of all vaccines, since 1947 known to humanity these medical interventions for diseases - aka vaccine!
A new revelation and the nova nano technology of future medicines is the mRNA way! Whereas the traditional and old school of Vaccine manufacturing is the non-mRNA which also contains "sleeping virus" spikes protein. All vaccines produce Spike Proteins to mitigate against a targeted disease or virus replication. Administering any one of the above vaccine protocol is simply one's choice which is a separate matter.
When:
Whether an individual vaccinated, partial, lapsed or none, the common sense approach perhaps is to maintain one's daily health, adequate sleep time, exercise regularly and natural immunity through healthier foods intake and supplements so that Covid spikes and/or Artificial Spikes either mRNA or non active spikes will not overly ACT UP inside a human body.
Where:
A Train Story - -
Our inborn natural immunity is like a child train set.
Each carriage carries loads of different immunity with specific item or a consignment of goods, DNAs.
There is a finite count of these "chain linked" carriages that the locomotive torque will pull and push to achieve an optimum pace and speed.
When the cargo train reaches point B, some or non of the cargo or one carriage receives new item, the existing goods will have to be SQUEEZED onto the carriage or simply unload the existing goods and top it up with the new goods into this cargo. Assume all loaded goods are safe and non-flammable.
When the train master whistle blows same goes the mighty full ahead steam engine grinding gear to gear, this journey reaches point Z, it will have more than half or half or less than half of the original cargos.
Along the long and winding journey there is an unknown chance of thief, breakdown and stoppage.
What's the lessons in this toy train story?
Choice - -
The idea of a pre-determined (qualified & quantified) sets of Considerations and Concerns that will derive a CHOICE (decision) whether is YES, NO or MAYBE!
This concept is applicable to daily lives, social and economics decisions and this case a medical decision.
News & Video:
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/all-eyes-on-progress-of-spores-reopening-vtl-expansion-for-2022-economic-outlook
https://youtu.be/3jT59eDDB7U
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-flurona-coronavirus-covid-influenza-b1985281.html?amp
Siblings can take Covid-19 child jabs together in one appointment from Jan 10
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/covid-19-child-vaccinations-siblings-can-walk-in-together-for-jab-without-appointment-from-jan-10
"He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions."
- - Confucius
"Life's like a play: it's not the length, but the excellence of the acting that matters."
- - Lucius Annaeus Seneca
[7:00 pm, 03/01/2022] +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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