REACH 349 - How concerned are you with the emergence of the new Omicron sub- variants in Singapore? How can we as a community continue to remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19?
(SK)
18 May 2022 (10am - 7pm)
REACH
[9:45 am, 18/05/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
Welcome back! ๐
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Thank you
Megan ๐
[10:00 am, 18/05/2022] +REACH: ๐ข Topic ๐ข
Singapore has detected its first local cases of the new Omicron sub-variants that are driving a fresh increase in Covid-19 numbers all over the world.
On Sunday night (May 15), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said it found two cases of the BA.4 variant and one case of the BA.5 variant through active surveillance.
๐ฌ How concerned are you with the emergence of the new Omicron sub- variants in Singapore? How can we as a community continue to remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19?
The cases were first detected via polymerase chain reaction tests and confirmed through whole genome sequencing.
All three were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, and did not require hospitalisation. They were fully vaccinated and had received their booster doses.
Omicron has spread rapidly and this has given it many opportunities to mutate and also acquire specific mutations of its own.
Some of these sub-variants include BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4 and BA.5.
There have been sub-variants of earlier versions of the virus, such as the Delta variant. However, Omicron has overtaken these, most likely due to its increased transmissibility.
๐๐ผhttps://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/singapore-detects-first-three-local-cases-of-new-omicron-sub-variants
๐๐ผ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/no-cause-for-undue-alarm-even-as-new-omicron-sub-variants-ba4-and-ba5-are-detected-in-spore-experts?utm_medium=social&utm_source=telegram&utm_campaign=sttg
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[10:31 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3172908/coronavirus-minister-says-singapore-wont-tighten-curbs-if
[10:33 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Breakthrough Rules :
ICU occupancy number within double digits range
Daily Death number
5 and below
[10:36 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: First line of indicator :
Hospitalisation numbers below 300
Number of days hospitalised 14 days or less, 80% of these recovered patients
[10:38 am, 18/05/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors
We’d love to hear more from you on today's topic ๐
We have had good feedback and hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Megan
[10:38 am, 18/05/2022] +X@niceAfcai: Since the smm has been established for 2yr plus. Hopefully, people will follow the smm to protect oneself n also their loves ones.
[10:39 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Assuming out of 300 hospitalised, 0.3% death rate will be one daily death.
Perhaps are these medical metrics sensible indicator as we travel and live with covid?
[10:40 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: I think we have seen worse from the past 2 yrs.
I also think gov shouldn't be overly concern or take the harsh measures to curb the virus.
We should let nature take its course, and ramp up our medical facilities instead.
[10:41 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: COVID-19 should be eventually be treated like a seasonal flu and be look after my our nearby GPs instead
[10:41 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: *by
[10:42 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: Also there shouldn't be strict restriction for patients tested positive, such as allowing them to buy food or daily necessities
[10:42 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Otherwise you are correct, Hi Uncle Law..
Unless this bug turns virulent like 3% death rates?
[10:42 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: But of course as much as possible, they should be at home resting and avoid mingling with the public
[10:43 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: Hihi
[10:43 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Correct!
[10:43 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Self checks the best check!
[10:43 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: Moving fwd, with past experiences, there isn't a need for us to be so restrictive, hence making it stressful for everyone.
[10:44 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: This way, the medical facilities won't be overwhelmed
[10:44 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: One more stress, coming....
[10:44 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: The staffs and doctors can really 'breathe' properly
[10:44 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/us-hopes-india-to-reconsider-wheat-export-ban/article65421864.ece
Just when you think cooking oil, now the ingredient too, this Wheat!
[10:46 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Correct!
Just like American Football, they are the Defense team, often hammered left snd right, upside down!
Our doctors, nurses and all supporting front line personnels!
[10:47 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: Gov should do this for everyone.
Once positive, do a tele art to prove one self so that is official, and employer can be notified. This number of days of rest can be deducted from the annual MC quota. No MC is needed.
Patient can go out to buy food or daily necessities without restrictions. But as much as one should exercise responsibility by minimising contact and exposure.
Continue to rest at home till art show negative or resume work after 3 days.
This way our workforce can continue to function and move fwd the economy.
[10:53 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: Those feeling more sick, shd go to their nearest GP and seek medical attention.
[10:53 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: Clinic will upload their test results online
[10:54 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Uncle Law, Good thinking!
Let's do a comparative economics analysis, workforce and output.
[10:55 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: http://moit.gov.vn/en/news/industry-and-trade/vietnam-s-exports-in-q1-up-12.9-percent.html
[10:56 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: ๐
[10:56 am, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: I just feel we shouldn't feel so uptight any more. It's been 2 yrs. All the stresses penned up over the 2 yrs.
[10:57 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: Please let the kids take off their masks at school..... ๐ค๐
[10:58 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: They have rarely seen each others' faces for over 2 years. Very bad for their emotional development and bonding.
[10:59 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Summary :
Vietnam coming out of Covid with stellar export results. There are a few attributes to this robust rebounce if its export economies.
1) 50+ million recovered and ready workforce
2) value added manufacturing from China
3) Vietnam is enjoying a big advantage, this resetting of contract manufacturing
4) European and US businesses are deepening their presence in Vietnam
[11:00 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: https://inf.news/ne/economy/0841fde12ba2ee870808d3b1181f1314.html
Following the hot money goes...
"in search of STABILITY and OPPORTUNITIES..."
- - annoymous
[11:02 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: Please let your kids take off his/her mask at school
[11:03 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: School says Kid must wear their masks all the time except when drinking or eating.... even outside.
[11:03 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: Do not be complacent. My office just had a case of covid. It's still there...
[11:03 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: I support this
[11:03 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: Yes I know many who have/get Covid, but they are ok after a few days.... it's life. We can't bubble wrap the kids.
[11:03 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: It's good habit
[11:04 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: It's terrible for their emotional development, which seems more important.
[11:04 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: Some have quite severe post covid... I would rather my love ones never contact covid at all...
[11:05 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: How emotional damage can it be by wearing mask?
[11:05 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: me too, no one wants covid. How many kids get severe covid?
[11:05 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: not seeing their friends faces, smiles etc. Very bad.
[11:05 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: It's better be safe than sorry
[11:05 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: Better to be alive than dead.
[11:05 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: So maybe never leave the house?
[11:06 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: i'm very sorry that the kids can't see each other smiling.
[11:06 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: Do u know Japanese wear masks way before covid...
[11:07 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: They wear masks and leave home too
[11:07 am, 18/05/2022] +Ken Loh: Taiwanese as well
[11:07 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: Maybe govt should remove but I will still encourage to wear a mask.
[11:08 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: Emotionally damage by wearing mask.. interesting
[11:08 am, 18/05/2022] +Caleb: But not all the time right?
[11:10 am, 18/05/2022] +Vivian: U said so yourself it's not every time
[11:16 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: what isn't everytime?
[11:17 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: visual communication is very important for emotional development yes
[11:17 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: yes, when ill.
[11:19 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Maybe during language lessons, mask off?
[11:20 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: they pull it down to speak only, which is rare
[11:20 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Let's seek for stability at the same time abit of opportunities, this VUCA times?
[11:21 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Entire language lesson, perhaps there is a need to unmask?
Language is about speech, communicating and writing
[11:23 am, 18/05/2022] +BL: teacher takes off masks, but kid just pull down if they are the one speaking
[11:31 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Perhaps, this is an airborne bug. What's sciences say about airborne viruses?
[11:32 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: These airborne bugs are in nano sizes... Very short lift floating lifespan too
[11:33 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Proximity and ventilation are two lines of defense for human or animals
[11:37 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Han Rosling
[11:52 am, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.gapminder.org/fw/world-health-chart/whc2019/
This chart measures
Health vs Sick
Rich vs Poor
Just in case, you are feeling low and down...
Look for Singapore, this colorful dotted chart, the little RED dot (hint: upper most right corner)
Is it the people or was it the policies or many combinations of tangibles with the intangibles that is today - Singapore?
[0:28 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ: https://www.asiaone.com/world/coronavirus-may-be-linked-cases-severe-hepatitis-children
[0:30 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/north-korean-planes-pick-medical-supplies-china-reports-2689641 1.48 million with high fever in N Korea.
[0:37 pm, 18/05/2022] +~typing.......: My six year old's teacher asked the class to do self-portraits in art and three quarters of the class drew themselves wearing masks. I think that's terrible.
Apparently, young kids' speech and pronunciation is much worse than it should be because of the muffing effect of masks impacting both their own speech and the speech that kids hear (and copy) from teachers and class mates.
In all my kids (7, 6 and 3) classes about 50% of the class has already had Covid. Think we need to consider if primary school kids wearing masks is now causing more harm than good.
[0:47 pm, 18/05/2022] +BL: Yes exactly. My kid's speech is also affected. Why is it ok for Adults not to wear masks in the office, but kids have to at school, and during recess?
[0:49 pm, 18/05/2022] +BL: 'maybe' 'if it were true' etc etc - seems very unfounded and without any actual evidence. Easy to speculate about possible damaging effects in a tiny number of cases, but we are faced with real damaging effects on every single child right now.
[0:52 pm, 18/05/2022] +BL: Circling words can be fun! ๐
[0:53 pm, 18/05/2022] +BL: With the rise in Dengue are we making all the kids wear long trousers and long sleeve shirts to reduce the chance of mosquito bites?
[1:08 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: https://hms.harvard.edu/news/scent-human
[1:11 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Is it true that a human body temperature will attract mozzie bites?
Is it also true that wearing darker colored Clothings will attract hungry mozzies?
Or the hotter the weather is and the greater one's perspire will attract mozzies?
True or okd wife's tales?
[1:13 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: One sure thing is YOUR IMMUNITY MATTERS MOST to fight away diseases from Cancer to Dengue!
The older one gets, the lowered will be her or his immunity against a spectrum of illnesses or diseases.
[1:14 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Stress, Anger and Anxiety are enemies to immunity of the human body!
[1:32 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
1. My views are :-
a. Currently, we have relaxed many measures that have bolster our Economy :-
i. All mark chairs and tables in eateries are removed - and many can dine as per pre-pandemic state.
ii. Open areas for events - has again allowed open stalls to operate, pasar malam to resume operation, buffet to resume business, nightlife to resume business.
iii. Welcoming overseas travellers without quarantine - see trickling of foreign tourists.
However, still did not see noticeable tourists throng our areas yet.
2. We are very happy to see "normal lives" coming back - that help to boost our Economy, business and jobs.
3. However, my family members, extended families and my close friends - are of the opinion that "putting mask on" when we go outside - will be essential and our "last line of defence" --- despite the fact that almost everyone are protected by full vaccination with booster.
We don't want to have a case whereby one of them got infected with covid - and the rest have to quarantine at home.
4. In fact, whether indoor or outdoor, as long as I step out of my home - I put my mask on - including doing jogging or brisk walk for 5 km - I will still put on my mask - and will not change my routine.
5. My close friend comments :-
Version 4 and 5 (of Omicron variants) are here. What's the hurry to remove masks? ๐ค
My response: Exactly.
Not like wearing mask we will suffocate or like end of the world.
6. Our position are consistent and clear:-
From zero day until now - "Unless and until the covid pandemic is declared officially over (either the covid is subdue and not life threatening or effectively block" - by WHO &/or by our Government" - our position is still put on the mask when in public - as our "last line of defence".
[1:32 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: One for the road ahead....
Cooking oil banned
Wheat banned
What if Vietnam and or Thailand ban RICE export? Climate change or harvest issues, etc
Competing goods, complimentary goods so on
This VUCA world now!
[1:38 pm, 18/05/2022] +Uncle Law: Our country stockpile has sufficient for the population
[1:41 pm, 18/05/2022] +~RH: I agree.
Consider this a LULL period.
With Variants 4 & 5 now here, and lack of more info, we shd still remain vigilant and be more prepared for worse.
Also, we shd still keep our TT app / tokens - treat it like a 'war siren', in the event tt this needs to be activated again. Gov shd continue to remind everyone to hold on to these.
Gov to continue to stay vigilant, be better prepared for any worse case scenarios tt may happen.
Our frontline fighters r now the hospital & supppport staff. Need to be on our lookout & prepared for worse, (like our army soldiers get practice in) ... To fight against the unseen (virus) .
[1:45 pm, 18/05/2022] +~RH: That said,
* Food Security is also important.
We shd continue our efforts to try to grow our own essentials.
Meeting 30% is still sth. In times of crisis, it just means we go lean, tighten our belts, and learn to survive. But in the very least, we dun starve.
* Protect our shores - climate change is very real.
Altho geographically (& historically) our tiny island is sheltered from the elements in some way, the Winds of Change are moving constantly.
What is today may not be the same tmr.
We shd also continue w our efforts to protect our vulnerable shores at this point.
[1:47 pm, 18/05/2022] +~RH: ๐๐ปpersonally, I agree. We shd also continue to stay socially responsible to safeguard ourselves & our loved ones.
[1:59 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: Can our alternative source of rice imports compensate for this!?
[2:06 pm, 18/05/2022] +BL: I'm not against voluntary mask wearing and wear my mask as required and don’t object. Now that we don't need a mask on in the office. I do think kids should have the option to remove their masks in class,just as adults can in the office. And especially when they are outside at recess.
[2:24 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Satellite images ‘suggest China is practising missile strikes on targets in Taiwan and Guam’.
Goodness. Singapore is signing with US to base one of our air contingent F35s in Guam.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3177538/satellite-images-suggest-china-practising-missile-strikes
[2:24 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Do PLA drills reveal China strategy to deny military help for Taiwan?
Observers see a pattern in recent exercises suggesting Beijing is testing its ability to restrict other countries’ access to the island
‘Anti-access and area denial’ strategy aims to deter, delay and prevent external forces from occupying or crossing an area of land, sea or air
SCMP
Kristin Huang
Published: 6:00am, 15 May, 2022
---
1. It is very obvious that China will be adopting A2/AD to subdue Taiwan - a more logical and less dangerous strategy in a bit to take over Taiwan.
2. Because :-
a. Direct military invasion by landing - will suffer very high casaulties - because beach landings will be a target for arty bombings, mining, aerial bombings, ambush from the coastal lines, need massive number of landing ships to transport big number of troops to land plus many other death traps.
b. Landing troops need to be sizeable - exceeding 100,000 to make invasion possible. A massive logistic difficulties.
c. Supply lines to feed the landing troops, provide ammos etc - will be a nightmare.
d. Even with troops landed on the main island - it will face direct conventional force attack - if they are able to fortified their defence - and survive the massive missile and arty bombardment to soften the ground before landing.
e. Hence direct invasion by troop landing is a military nightmare - and not easy to win outright.
It will be more nightmarish - compare to Russia land invasion into Ukraine by land.
3. Hence, 9-dash line that surround the Southern sea route - is to prevent outside reinforcement coming through the sea route - as offshore island with anti-air and anti-ship missile - is to achieve A2/AD - by stopping aircraft carrier - from bringing their naval airforce within range less than 2,000 km to the China mainland and to Taiwan.
4. China mainland various military bases - will be a continuous supply line of ammo, food and troops as well as a formidable A2/AD bases to prevent foreign airforce and navy assistance to Taiwan.
5. Massive buildup of navy ships exceeding US fleet - will be effective in sea blockade from the North (Japan and SKorea base), from the East (Guam base) and from the South (Philipine base) - byproviding anti-air missile cover as well as anti-ship cover.
As navy ships will be big enough to store ammo and food supply - the sea and air blockade can go on for months to prevent foreign intervention, food and logistics supply to Taiwan.
6. Whether Taiwan will subcuumb to a long term naval blockade will depends on the following conditions:-
a. Does Taiwan produce enough food, water, power etc to sustain their population lives in months of blockade.
b. Does Taiwan has sufficient financial strength to keep their economy going, business going, jobs going and social cohesion - that will not trigger domestic unrest.
c. Foreign Countries pressure similar to Russia sanction eg. how effective is financial sanctions to impact China Economy and finances, direct military intervention on China, UN pressure etc.
d. Taiwan military response to break the naval blockade - eg. submarine attack on China naval ships, sea mine, missile attacks on the navy ships and fighter planes etc.
7. Having say so, military action --- is never an easy or sure win approach to reunify Taiwan.
Suntze Art of War - classify military action is the lowest form of strategy to achieve a political objective.
The highest and best form of strategy to achieve a political objective - is to win by Heart, not Might.
(Eg. so many Countries want to join EU and NATO willingly - not because of military coercion, not because of economic suppression, not because of political intimidation ---- but because these Countries want to join willingly due to :-
a. They share the mutual economic benefits, business, investment, jobs, travel etc.
b. Governance system that provide people with freedom, ability to establish people's aspiration, social interaction, harmony.
[2:52 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Perhaps Subic Bay to the US, find another location for China like Central Vesayas region. Afterall the Philippines is surrounded with sea and ocean.
Coexist and not conflict. This decouple and reset global political games!
Asean (9+1) as an economics contingent will benefit into 2040, only if leaders could see this larger agendas.
[2:54 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Ukrainian troops evacuate from Mariupol, ceding control to Russia
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/ukrainian-force-begins-evacuating-from-last-mariupol-stronghold
Why Ukrainians army gave up to the Russians?
Perhaps a chance to cease fire
and onto the peace talk ๐ค
One long river divides east and west Ukraine... A strategic natural border like North and South Korea and once famous the Berlin Wall.
[2:54 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnieper
[2:55 pm, 18/05/2022] +BL: Russia put all its focus on Mariupol, and Ukraine was overwhelmed. Little choice but to surrender. I suspect Ukraine will come back fighting later.
[2:55 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: In life, you loose some and win some..trade horses
Sweden + Finland join NATO?
Mariupol to tge Russians?
[2:57 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Biden did expressed hus concern of PUSHING Putin up that corner wall...
Putin needs a breather, fsce saving and a platform to deescalate his battled initiatives to no good endings.
[2:59 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Perhaps a shorten war?
[3:03 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Next chapter of the global politics may well be positioned at the South China Sea...
For the world matters always evolves and in constant variabilities.
Asean, watch this Sea , next in play?
[3:30 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: 18 May, 2022
"Chipped or Chip In?"
Before 2030 arrives, the emerging of Singapore as the next microchips global player second to Taiwan will be a good calling itself and for Asean, the benefits outweighs risks, will it materialise?
Should things comes in, there is a greater need to adopt nuclear energy (and LNG) especially vital for these microchips manufacturers. They need clean water and continuous electricity flow. Salination plant may be located next to these chips manufactures. Can it be TSMC and or SK coming into Singapore to set up plants? We have done it before, perhaps we can chip in again!
Simply put it, a big Welcome!
[3:38 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: We passed off China with our support of unclos on
[3:38 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/science-technology/industry-academia-collaboration-behind-taiwan-s-chip-manufacturing-success/2181235
[3:38 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: The Philippines case. So, how will we be protecting our precious f35 on Guam!?
[3:39 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Hi Mr Rama,
China has DF17 ranged into Guam
[3:39 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: I know that too
[3:43 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: A first step to deescalate the South China Sea is to allow the US and China coexist.
Philippines can play 'accommodating' diplomacy by offering 2 ports to each super power.
After all, these military infrastructures could well be a continuation for Marco Jr what Duterte's legacy of BUILT BUILT BUILT?
[3:45 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Nothing is safe these days as thr Ukraine war has exposed the US satellites and spy webs amounting to airspace superiority!
What if you press that button and your missile redirect back to your own soil? Worth deeper thoughts before one's itchy fingers and playful mind!
[3:47 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: On China's term only!
[3:47 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: Exactly
[3:47 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: With it Guam or the Marshall Islands, it seems not really a threat. Perhaps it is a talking and arguing point to the daily worth of a dollar news...
[3:49 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: Indonesia has a similar problem in the natural islands with China that has yet to escalate further!
[3:49 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Coexist or Conflict...
Big boys know the limitations when they play these games of True or Dare!
Remember, fear is a moment of discomfort but the reality will be a big disruption to humans!
[3:49 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Natunas Island South of Singapore. Happens to ve our LNG supplier too
[3:51 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Only if, if only Asean comes as ONE then all things will go into the direction of STABILITY, next will be many opportunities for the 9+1 folks....
Don't fight among because unity is strength.... Selfishness will be doomed!
[3:52 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: Again, coexist not base on agreed and accepted international law but on the bully's term. Look at all the reclamation and construction on the various artificial reefs in the south China Sea! The interpretation of the 12km limit from shore/right of safe international passage/overflights by pla over economic zone of various claimant countries.
[3:54 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Is done, cannot undone! Look ahead to mitigate coming problems that is the South China Sea play!
Who has influence over Abu Sayyf? Who has control over NPA?
[3:55 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Stay united and engage or the big boys will entangle all of you! To the end of strangling you?
Who Needs Who Most?
[4:13 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Guam is not only China strategic 1st strike target but also NKorea 1st strike target.
NKorea have shot IRBM near Guam and is within reach during Trump's time.
[4:14 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Chances of Guam involve in the front line if war broke up with China or NKorea - is 50-50% because Guam have strategic nuclear bombers with range that can reach both China and NKorea.
Thus Guam is a strategic target.
[4:20 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: Agree
[4:28 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: During Obama times, China suggested to the Americans to coexist within the Pacific Ocean. Half-Half, Hawaii as the midway point. Looking back what the Chinese proposal, perhaps has alarmed the Americans to plan ahead to deal with these existential threats into today situations. A fractured world in a few pieces with little hope to mend this broken vase? There are always cracks and it will have these fractured lines all over this vase, aka the world!
"The U.S. must show the leadership necessary to establish and protect a new order that holds the promise of convincing potential competitors that they need not aspire to a greater role or pursue a more aggressive posture to protect their legitimate interests."
- - Paul Wolfowitz
[4:29 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Guam is a strategic airbase for us if we are in a military crisis because:-
1. There are 2 mid air refuel needs for our F35s to provide 2nd wave of air power.
2. Political strategic to get US military support and economic support if we get into trouble.
But we have a symmetric strategic risk - if US get into trouble with China or NKorea.
We will have collateral damage.
We only have less than 30 minutes to evacuate if IRBM missiles are launch and less than 15 minutes to evacuate if hypersonic missiles are launch
[4:30 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
"China developing hypersonic missiles that can hit a moving car with pinpoint accuracy"
https://sg.yahoo.com/news/china-developing-hypersonic-missiles-hit-115751686.html#:~:text=J.P%20Morgan-,China%20developing%20hypersonic%20missiles%20that%20can%20hit%20a%20moving%20car%20with%20pinpoint%20accuracy,-Maroosha%20Muzaffar
[4:34 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/04/politics/us-hypersonic-missile-test/index.html
[4:35 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/all-news/article-706820
[4:35 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
China IRBM and hypersonic missiles won't miss the target because they are guided by beidou satellites - a constellation of satellites more than US satellites in space.
Unlike Russia missiles where many miss the military targets but hitting civilian infrastructure because they have very limited satellite to guide them.
They even have to use US commercial GPS, Google map to launch their missiles when US just simply shut off their GPS and Russia missiles miss the target.
[4:37 pm, 18/05/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
https://techthelead.com/russias-fighter-jets-flew-with-gps-taped-to-the-dashboard-says-uk-minister-but-others-say-germany-and-china-did-it-too/
[5:13 pm, 18/05/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors
We’d love to hear more from you on today's topic ๐
We have had good feedback and hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Megan
[5:15 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: Blady joke
[5:16 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: America is way behind on this to their peril. Even Russia has just stepped up on the next generation of hypersonic weapons.
[5:16 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: Catch up too slow!
[5:19 pm, 18/05/2022] +BL: Russia talked about exploding a nuke under the sea in Europe to cause a Tsunami to wipe out the UK with radioactive sea water....
[5:19 pm, 18/05/2022] +BL: Who needs Hypersonic Missles?
[5:20 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: Blady lunatic putin!
[5:20 pm, 18/05/2022] +BL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/03/ireland-condemns-russian-tv-for-nuclear-attack-simulation
[5:22 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: They also condemned Israel for atrocities against the Palestinian people
[5:22 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Laser speed vs Hypersonic speed
https://youtu.be/TeXVZwYXDrY
[5:38 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Unmarked Aircraft, whose asset is this? The payload seemed light, perhaps people inside and small arms on board?๐คซ
[5:45 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Finland, Sweden formally submit application to join Nato
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/finland-sweden-submit-application-to-join-nato
True or Dare?
[5:47 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Fears for Mariupol defenders after surrender to Russia
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/fears-for-mariupol-defenders-after-surrender-to-russia
In war, things changed hands any less is not a war, it is a business deal!
[5:49 pm, 18/05/2022] +BL: Turkey saying they will block it.
[5:55 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Said Turkey, Turkey says...
Fyi, one big hidden pain is interest rates, don't be a Greece? Just sign on the dotted line, please?
These days many paper tigers compared to yester years, those real raging tigers!
[5:56 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: The famous Mariupol Steel factory happens to supply 20% of Europeans steel needs!
When will this mega steel plant restarts?
What's the prices of steel product be like tomorrow comes?
What's the impact and significance to Asia and Asean, infrastructures development needs?
[6:06 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: I believe Singapore to at least be a observer if not a participant in this pro
[6:07 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: The pie seems to have been cut
[6:17 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Singapore, we are price taker, like many nations!
[6:18 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: That moment in time...
https://youtu.be/Dc9uLSfczvA
[6:19 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: The beginnings...?
https://youtu.be/SUrkzdhuVXI
[6:20 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: The path into 1997...
https://youtu.be/r55ESS6VwgY
[6:28 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Just before China entered WTO... Happier days!
https://youtu.be/4LHUEy5yMuA
[6:30 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: From the left to the right, yesterdays till today, it's about human rights?
https://youtu.be/wp2WwaqOkvc
[6:45 pm, 18/05/2022] +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
[6:47 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Can Premier Zhu be a "kissenger" at the other end of the world?
What the world needs perhaps is a breakthrough to normalcy between the US and China?
At the minimal, both can become "friends in benefits and kinds", is it possible? Just like starting all over again!
- - END - -
[6:49 pm, 18/05/2022] +Anne: Dear G,
If COVID-19, whatever the variant, manifests itself only as flu or cold to the overwhelming majority of the population who can be on home recovery, then this disease is not of much concern to me. What is of great concern to me is the upcoming food and energy crisis.
I remember in 2001, 9/11 happened. At that time, all of us were anxious and uneasy. When will it be our turn to be bombed to death or be maimed? At that time, PM GCT told us that we should not live in fear, because fear is exactly what the terrorists want. Therefore, we should go about our normal lives, living without fear. If and when a terrorist attack happens, we deal with it. This turned out to be wise advice, otherwise we would be living in fear all the time, which would have resulted in a lot of mental stress and illnesses.
Fast forward to today, what a huge difference. We allow fear to dominate our thinking. Last year, during the Delta era, PM Lee stated that all of us will eventually get infected with Covid. Omicron variant is more transmissible than Delta, so everyone getting infected with Covid sooner or later is a given. So, no point having masks or safe distancing or VDS. The overwhelming majority of Covid deaths are the elderly with comorbidities - hence the solution to not allowing Covid to kill us is to strengthen our immune system. This means we need to reject unhealthy habits and live a healthy lifestyle. Doing so prevents not just Covid from killing us, it can fight against other diseases too. For masks, it is not healthy to keep inhaling carbon dioxide; this can result in some illness in the long term. For masks that are not made of 100% cloth, they are likely to made with plastics. Breathing in microplastics can be deadly too. Hence I would suggest removing the mask mandates. The masks are only useful if someone manifests symptoms of running nose and phlegm. For VDS, my opinion is it is a white elephant. You say it's to protect the unvaccinated, but if everyone has to get infected with Covid, what's the point of protecting them? Also, I'm certain most if not all of the not fully vaccinated people are not interested in your protection. Why waste so much money on the VDS protecting people who don't give a demm about your benevolence? Covid-19 may not be over, but there is no point worrying over future variants now. I suggest to not to borrow tomorrow's problems today as we are dealing with unknowns. People's movements have been restricted for nearly 2 years. What is the point of protecting people from Covid when they end up developing a myriad of psychological illnesses? We now hear of violent fights involving the use of weapons with great frequency. I believe this is a sign of mental illness most likely resulting from all these covid measures.
The Covid-19 affects predominantly the elderly with comorbidities, but the food and energy crisis affects all of us, except the rich. I do not know how badly Singapore will be affected, but if it is bad, the G will need a lot of resources to help the people. To support the Covid measures, we have already dipped into the reserves twice. Hence I suggest to stop all Covid measures and return all the unused Covid funds to MOF. If we continue to obsess over Covid, we will not have the mental and emotional energy to face new challenges. We need to let go of the old and rest and recharge our energies in order to strengthen our resilience to deal with whatever future giants that come our way.
Thank you.
[6:50 pm, 18/05/2022] +Rama: Let common sense and common good prevail for the good of all mankind.
[6:59 pm, 18/05/2022] +Smiley face: Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping and Zhu Rongji.... any names left out, apologies!
https://youtu.be/CWRQeIMi8qM
[6:59 pm, 18/05/2022] +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 ๐
=====
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