Taking stock - our successful Contributions in REACH to tackle covid-19 virus pandemic (SK)

18 Apr 2020

In total, taking stock, our successful recommendations:-

1. Non-alcohol sanitizer. (Alcohol will cause skin irritation and peel off. Also will cause alcohol poisioning if children accidentally put in the mouth. Alcohol based sanitizer may also be inflammable.)

2. Reusable washable face masks. (The most significant contribution that not only save many lives in Singapore, but also trigger Japan PM Abe from wearing it and the whole world subsequently adopt this as the most effective way to slow and curb covid infection).

3. Crowd mapping using mobile signal data and satellite GPS - spaceout and npark.

4. DSTA develop network analysis tool for contact tracing (location-based tracking).

5. PM call for circuit breaker measures - based on our highlight of increasing unlink cases.

6. Aggressive testing in dorms to weed out all infected cases (2,900 tests per day)

---

Later we are going to bring up measures to tackle unlink cases in the community.

7. Propose extend circuit breaker to another 2 weeks if the infection number in community is not zero - few days before 4 May 2020.

(After note :- PM Lee announce on 21 Apr 2020 to extend circuit breaker to another 4 weeks from 4 May 2020 to 1 Jun 2020.)

8. Aggressive testing to ramp up to include essential service workers (ramp up from 3,000 to 8,000 tests per day) - announced by Minister Gan Kim Yong and Minister Lawrence Wong on 27 Apr 2020.

9. Propose step-by-step opening up of Economic inititatives after Circuit Breaker ends echo by PM Lee, Minister Iswaran, Minister Chan Chun Sing (30 Apr 2020 - 1 May 2020)

10. Raise concern on Bluetooth Security in Tracetogether mobile apps - and Government will not make it compulsory but working with Google and Apple - to tighten Android and iOS. (2 May 2020)

11. Government adopted SafeEntry scan QR code by 12 May 2020 compulsory for people entering any malls or establishment to trace people entry. (2 May 2020)

12. Commented that Youth is wasted on the young. Now graduating cohort can start going to school 😊 (12 May 2020) (SK)

13. Propose organise testing priorities into Batches. Nursing homes testing fall into Batch 3b (25 Apr 2020) - Government announce it will test nursing homes as one of the priority batch on 2 May 2020.

(CNA

02 May 2020 09:25PM

(Updated: 02 May 2020 09:30PM)

Authorities prioritising COVID-19 testing at nursing homes, employees to be housed on-site or at hotels)

14.  Propose batch testing of workers when circuit breaker ease (25 Apr 2020) - Government announce priority testing for customer-facing staff (3 May 2020).

15. Propose virtual conferencing to negotiate RCEP and target for signing on end 2020 (30 Apr 2020) - Minister Chan Chun Sing announced in 3 May 2020) - that RCEP intense virtual meeting ongoing and likely to sign by end 2020.

16. Propose Order online and pick up later at retail - retail Giant implement (SK)

17. Proposed Psychological resiliency (Zen) to unite Singaporeans and residents (5 Feb 2020) - PM Lee speech say psychological and social resiliency is important in this fight against virus pandemic (13 Mar 2020).

18. Proposed Community spreading fall to zero or single digit before opening (25 Apr 2020) - echo by Minister Gan Kim Yong (4 May 2020)

19. Proposed to allow foreign workers to have space to walk in the sun and not confine to indoor small space (28 Apr 2020) - Colonel Chua managing isolation camps allow foreign workers to walk in the sun (6 May 2020) (SK)

20. Proposed risk based approach to tackle virus pandemic and not evidence-based approach which is reactive (10 Apr 2020). Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) - “After pre-school services fully resume, we will consider a *risk-based* testing system to protect children and staff,” an ECDA spokesperson told CNA. (14 May 2020) (SK)

21. Raise concern on skin irritation and breathe in toxin disinfectant fumes when using disinfectant chambers. WHO confirm similar concern. Temasek Foundation decide to do a trial on such concern in deployment. (SK)

22. Suggest it is the onus of business to present Government with detail plan on what safety safeguard to be put in place by each industries and each buinsess before allowing opening up in Phase 1, 2 and 3 (22 May 2020).

Minister Lawrence Wong say the same thing on 28 May 2020.

23. Post cardboard beds for easy and assemble for sick patients. Use by Government to house foreign workers doing essential services (30 May 2020). (SK)

24. I raise the issue of Bluetooth security used by Tracetogether apps. Tracetogether apps not make compulsory, wearable bluetooth dongle will be distributed to everyone. (5 Jun 2020).

25. Contribute the link on "Singapore rank 4th highest in safety risk against virus conducted by independant international study for foriegn investors" (8 Jun 2020). Report in Straits Times (10 Jun 2020) (SK)

26. Contribute pictures on the various plastic shield to protect diners in restaurant, food centres. Comfort Delgro subsidiary roll out plastic shield in Ko Fu food court to trial and will roll out to more food court if successful (10 Jun 2020) (SK)

27.  I commented that IT security must be the core of any National IT system roll out to the public. I am refering to the Tracetogether mobile apps bluetooth security vulenrability (4 May 2020). DPM Heng Swee Keat sees what I see - that cybersecurity must be the core of any IT design that roll out to the public. 'Digital virus' might be bigger threat than Covid-19: Heng Swee Keat (13 Jun 2020).

Minister Vivian also say that Tracetogether token should be open up in code, design - for public feedback and can be improved upon. (13 Jun 2020).

28. Comment in REACH on PSP 6 members campaigning violate 5 people in a group under MOH safety guideline and ELD campaigning guideline (19 Jun 2020). REACH Administrator say they will feedback to relevant Authorities. Safe Distancing Ambassador take down the particulars of all PSP members for flouting the law. (22 Jun 2020 CNA).

29. Comment in REACH on Holland Village - British Indian Curry restaurant big crowd without mask and breach safe distancing (20 Jun 2020). URA close the shop and the sidewalk for breaching safe distancing (21 - 22 Jun 2020 CNA)

30. Propose digitalisation through eCommerce for SMEs and big Enterpises to tap not only local market but also overseas market align with ITM. (28 Apr 2020) (27 May 2020). 500 SMEs digitalise through eCommerce platform to access overseas market (ST 22 Jun 2020)

31. Projection through math calculation dorm testing will complete by end July or Aug 2020. (SK). CNA 25 Jun 2020  report that 70% to 80% of migrant workers in dormitories expected to be COVID-19 free by end-July 2020: Lawrence Wong.

32. Suggest RFID to track quarantine travellers to stay at quarantine home. (24 Mar 2020). Govt use GPS, bluetooth etc to track quarantine travellers to stay at quarantine home. (4 Aug 2020 Straits Times) (SK)

33. Write in REACH that 2020 General Election mood turn sour because many mid-career PMETs got retrench and cannot find jobs - not only young voters swing the votes. Also many business run into difficulties because of the covid lockdown. These assessment is contrary to most independent analysts of post GE outcome. (11 July 2020). Minister Lawrence Wong confirm my assessment is correct - not only young voters that swing the votes. (18 July 2020 Straits Times).

34. Propose vegetarian foods, vegan based meat, 3D printed vegan base meat, cell-culture, tissue re-engineering meat, beyond meat to replace slaughtering of animal meat and prevent virus pandemic. (2 Aug 2020). Government plan food security R&D to achieve the proposed contribution.

(Straits Times 13 Aug 2020

Strengthening food security with R&D

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/strengthening-food-security-with-rd?cx_testId=20&cx_testVariant=cx_2&cx_artPos=3#cxrecs_s)

35.(a) Proposed to re-boot our air hub organised "ring-fence" business travellers, tour group and MICE (17-18 Aug 2020). Minister of Transport Ong Ye Kung Channel 8 - 7pm interview - Minister Ong YK - say 3 prong approach to re-boot our air hub. (For Countries with good control infection)  1. Business traveller Reciprocal Green Lane 2. Open up for foreign tourists to come in 3. talk too fast - cannot catch...... the 3rd approach ----- but in a safe manner. (18 Aug 2020, 7pm)

35.(b) Proposed reboot our air hub through organised "ring-fence" tours, green lane for business travellers and MICE. (18 Aug 2020). MOT Ong Yee Kung annouce "air-bubbles" tours with test to replace Stay-Home-Notice for New Zealand, Brunei; and 7 days SHN to replace 14 days SHN for some Asia Pacific Countries with low infection rate. (21 Aug 2020).

36. PIE Jalan Anak Bukit highway car skid - suggest anti-skid highway (23 Aug 2020). Straits Time LTA report it will install anti-skid measures on the highway (23 Aug 2020). (Poh)

37. Analysis in REACH that 12 China national to Tianjin fly in Scoot tested positive - are time-based discharge which are no longer infectious. (24 Aug 2020). CNA report the 12 China national infected are due to time-based discharge and no longer infectious. (25 Aug 2020). (with SK)

38. Post Government should take into account the impact of "Geopolitical tension" on Singapore in addition to impact cause by virus pandemic that are not articulate in President Budget 2020 Parliament speech. (25 Aug 2020). SM Teo Chee Hean announce a whole of government and civil service approach to tackle the impact on our economic resources due to "Geopolitical tension". (CNA 27 Aug 2020).

39. Write in REACH to use hard ratio for foreign workers 30%, local 70% (currently no quota for work pass holders) - to test the veracity of using hard ratio - that produce immediate outcome of employing local workforce (but a trade-off that will drive away investors). (1 Sep 2020, noon 2pm). MOM Minister Josephine Teo say "Employment Pass quota not unthinkable, but probably unwise as it drive away investors". (1 Sep 2020, 5pm, Straits Times).

40. Case A to H - REACH contribution in view on foreign workers,  Unfair treatment of Singaporeans workers, Global investors want to setup Global or Regional HQ to Singapore,  needs for Global Talents, fiscal prudence and protect our reserve, Targeted help for vulnerable, Retraining and upskilling mature displaced workers, Wear reusable cloth face masks. (cover by CNA PM Lee Parliamentary speech 2 Sep 2020 )

41. Observations on unfair treatment of local workers versus foreigners. (31 Aug 2020). CNA PM Lee Parliamentary speech 2 Sep 2020 (quote similar example). (SK)

42. Post in REACH that foreign hiring managers if foreigners will look for its own kind in hiring. (31 Aug 2020). MP Patrick Tay in Parliamentary speech Sep 2020 (say hiring managers must change mindsets on local workers). (SK)

43. Propose ITM (and PWM) in 1 May 2012. ITM implemented in Budget 2016. PWM implemented in 21 Jun 2012.

44. Recommend "ring-fence" air bubbles, "safe tunneling" air corridors for MICE (17 Aug 2020). Government open MICE up to 250 attendees in 7 Sep 2020.

45. Say that Singapore must continue to maintain our status as Air hub, Port hub, Data hub, Finance hub, Manufacturing hub, Medical hub, Food hub, Water hub, Energy hub etc. (31 Aug 2020). Minister of Trade Chan Chun Sing say Singapore must still be the global hub and gateway to ASEAN, as well as "critical nodes" for businesses as Singapore adds value to their supply chain. CNA (8 Sep 2020)

46. Propose - Bring in only foreigners that can contribute millions or billions of investment into Singapore, or bring in ideas, r&d and skillsets that Singaporean do not have - but as a result create many new  and good quality jobs for Singaporeans. (31 Aug 2020). CNA (8 Sep 2020) Minister of Trade Chan Chun Sing say Singapore want the world’s best and brightest to be with Team Singapore. Singapore’s foreign worker policies are shifting towards “quality" rather than quantity.

47. Advocate TraceTogether token over TraceTogether mobile apps as mobile apps handphone can be hacked for financial gain as oppose to token that have no incenttive to hack as there are no financial data. (14 Jun 2020). CNA Government distribute TraceTogether token for free to Singapore residents. (9 Sep 2020).

48. Say that providing Government grant to SMEs is only temporary and not sustainable. Government should help to provide access to market local and overseas, buy their products or tie the start up to big enterprise to help them market their products to big overseas markets. (21 Aug 2020). Straits Times (9 Sep 2020) - 2nd Minister of Trade Tan See Leng say no amount of short-term relief is enough if there are no new businesses and revenue streams coming in and this is why the Government is exploring ways to open up the country for trade. 

49. Say that gov should help to provide access to market local and overseas, buy their products or tie the start up to big enterprise to help them market their products to big overseas markets. GLCs can identify promising startups to partner them and market their products in solutioning as well as provide resources to them. (21 Aug 2020). Straits Times (9 Sep 2020) - 2nd Minister of Trade Tan See Leng say Government policies can be better adapted to help start-ups and SMEs scale up so that they can compete internationally - having been certified and validated by the big government-linked companies here in Singapore.

50. Propose SMS alerts will be sent to those who were at locations with higher transmission risk. REACH message will be implemented in 10 Sep 2020. (SK)

51. Propose face mask with sensors that can detect covid-19. (14 May 2020). Straits Times 10 Sep 2020 Local researchers invented a face mask with sensors to detect covid-19 virus.

52. Propose SIA flights to nowhere and staycations or static airplanes meal. (21 Aug 2020). Straits Times SIA looks to launch 'flights to nowhere' by end-October to mitigate Covid-19 fallout (11 Sep 2020)

53. Suggest using mobile data and GPS to track (quarantine people or infected person). 非常时期，需要非常手段. (31 Mar 2020). CNA 12 Sep 2020 - More than 3,500 electronic wristband devices issued to travellers serving stay-home notices: ICA using user handphone and GPS data if user leave home.

54. Suggest aggressive testing - that will discover infection, early treatment, early quarantine, and greatly reduced mortality. 25 Apr 2020 (SK). Yahoo 17 Sep 2020 WHO praise Singapore low mortality rate and one of the reason is due to aggressive testing.

55. Gender equality - mention women in Singapore is not deliberately indiscriminate against. And a hard ratio in women representation in important position is based on merit and the right fit. (21 Sep 2020). Minister Shanmugam say the same. CNA (24 Sep 2020).

56. Propose SIA conduct inflight meal and entertainment on stationary plane. (SK) (21/08/2020)  Today report (29 Sep 2020) - SIA use A380 provide inflight meal, entertainment on stationary plane. 

57. Propose "ring fence" air bubbles and "safe tunneling" air corridor for overseas travellers. (14 Aug 2020). MOT Ong Ye Kung announce safe air bubbles for overseas travellers. (6 Oct 2020) CNA.

58. Propose digitalise shipping port management system through virtual to physical port connectivity. (07 Jul 2019). Straits Times Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat announce Digitalising the shipping industry can enhance global trade. (8 Oct 2020)

59. Propose Singapore should seize the opportunity to insert ourselves into China +1 supply chain strategy that make ASEAN the heart of China strategy. (31Aug2020). CNA (12Oct2020) report China +1 strategy of redirecting investment into ASEAN and China big tech companies like Alibaba, Tencent, Bydance/Tik Tok has heavy investment in Singapore as a result of US trade war.

60. Propose virtual browser with container to allow access to Internet via thin client - to prevent internet hackers from hacking into Government Intranet - arising from Singhealth APT attack). (12Nov2018, 20Jul2018). Straits Times (15Oct2020) Singapore civil serviice have secure internet access via remote browsing technology.

61. Argue on PWM is better than universal minimum wages and propose to put this as a topic for debate. (I and SK) (07Sep2020). REACH extend time in REACH whatsapp (15Oct2020) to discuss this topic PWM (propose by PAP) versus Universal Minimum Wages (propose by WP).

62. Propose incentives for epayment to be successful. (09Sep2020). I also alert about the impact of China digital yuan on Singapore yuan currency exchange (19Sep2020, 12.21pm). CNA report that China digital yuan epayment is successful only if incentive is given. It also concur with my analysis of the impact of China new digital yuan (19Sep2020, 5.25pm). 

63. Raise the threat due to US-China tension and bifurcation to our supply chain - how to transform the threat into opportunities (25Aug, 28Aug, 15Oct2020). Straits Times MTI Chan Chun Sing say Singapore can serve various different markets if we play our cards right even in a fragmenting and bifurcation world. (19Oct2020)

64. Propose vegan based meat to replace animal meat to stop slaughtering animals and curb pandemic and epidemic. (2Aug2020). Straits Times 20Oct2020 Impossible plant-based meat goes on sale in 79 FairPrice supermarkets and RedMart.

65. Propose CSA must review any National IT desgin before pushing out. Else without regard to building in IT security ---- then the person is building a dangerous platform that will cause tremendous economic, social and even physical damages to the Nation.(4 May 2020). Straits Times (10 Nov 2020) Cyber Security Agency (CSA) of Singapore has warned the public about the perils associated with scanning QR codes with phishing codes.

66. Biden elected President 2020 - Posting in REACH on Insights on World Peace and World Prosperity through Global Cooperation and Collaboration (9 Nov 2020). Straits Times 17 Nov 2020 - PM Lee hopes US President-elect Biden will come up with framework for 'constructive' US-China ties.

67. Biden elected President 2020 - Posting in REACH on Insights on World Peace and World Prosperity through Global Cooperation and Collaboration (9 Nov 2020). Straits Times 17 Nov 2020 - Washington, Beijing must find areas of cooperation or risk sliding into conflict: Henry Kissinger.

68. Raise question whether our Civil Service standard have dropped? And need to raise this to the attention to COPS and Ministers. (25Nov2020). Head Civil Service Leo Yip and MOF publish 2 Public Sector reports that show Public Service standard is very high as compared to the World in CNA news. (26Nov 2020).

69. Suggest that oveseas travel may need vaccination if Countries start dictating it. (SK) (2Dec2020). WHO looks at possible 'e-vaccination certificates' for travel. (Reuters)(DECEMBER 3, 2020 7:39 PM)

70. Suggest vegan meat, cell-culture tisue re-engineering meat to be priced to appeal to mass market. Now the price too high. (11Nov2020). CNA 02 Dec 2020 San Francisco-based Eat Just, cell culture chicken meat intend to price their cell culture meat to appeal to mass market.

71. Mention China "dual circulation" strategy will affect Singapore. Singapore can work with China in both "internal and external circulation" and yuan currency exchange. (2Nov2020). Straits Times (7Dec2020) DPM Heng Swee Keat enquire and will like to work with China Vice-Premier Han Zheng to offer Singapore cooperation with China on external circulation and yuan currency exchange.

72. To see all financial instrument in "One View" under Singapore Data Exchange, I suggest in REACH to use multiple FA (as 2FA with user id, password and SMS OTP - is not sufficient if land in same handphone - as malware with keylogger can steal it) (7Dec2020). CNA (16 Dec 2020) - Multiple FA provided by GovTech - other than SMS OTP, biometrics like facial recognition is provide for SingPass login.

73. 02Dec2020 propose "Securing vaccines may become a necessary part of borders reopening criteria. If countries decide that it will only open up to persons who are vaccinated then we have no choice but to secure and make available the vaccines for persons who need to travel." in REACH. Straits Times 2Jan2021 Hong Kong in talks to use coronavirus vaccine records for travel. SCMP 2Jan2021  Vaccine passports, domestic tourism, pricey flights – is this the future of travel in a post-pandemic Asia. (SK)

74. Suggest that single-used plastic bags are required to bag home liquid and solid waste and protect low-income earners having to pay for plastic bag to bag home waste. (01Oct2018). Straits Times (16Jan2021) Senior MOS Amy Khor echo the same view. However she is willing to explore charge plastic bags who take 3 or more. (I support such move - to reduce plastic bags but yet can be used to bag home waste).

75. Question why the elderly with sickness are vaccinated first as it pose safety risk - as they are frail. The Time of India (16Jan2021) reported that 23 elderly with chronic patients die after Pfizer vaccination in Norway. Write to REACH to request for temporary halt for this age and health group while requesting Government Authority to seek clarification with Pfizer on the safety for this age and health group.(SK)

76. Suggest in REACH that Israel could be a good vaccination model for the World to follow - as its early data indicate the vaccine is proving effective in stopping the covid-19 pandemic. (1:24 pm, 20/01/2021 Israel lead the world in vaccination - using predominantly Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.Israel project it will be the first country in the world to get back to normal lives.) CNA news on 22/1/2021 5pm and 23/1/2021 12pm - broadcast a segment on Israel vaccination drive - and Israel Health Authority project that the pandemic in Israel will end when the vaccination is completed in end Mar 2021.

77. Suggest in REACH to articipate and seamlessly integrate with China DCEP digital yuan and continue to strengthen Singapore as yuan currency exchange through offshore yuan trading hub as well as operating as gateway between China financial system as well as the World financial system through SWIFT. (02 Nov 2021)

Ledger Insights (29 Jan 2021) "WEF: China says digital yuan doesn’t aim to challenge dollar - “*Is Singapore willing to have the Chinese digital currency move into Singapore*? *And China willing to accept the Singapore digital currency*? *Maybe the two countries can sign a deal*?” asked Zhu Min jocularly. Zhu Min is Chairman of China’s National Institute of Financial Research at Tsinghua University and a former Deputy Managing Director at the IMF and former Deputy Governor at the People’s Bank of China.

78. Suggest in REACH that disinformation about the vaccines that cause safety issues from fake news websites are created by conspiracy groups to sabotage the vaccination efforts. (1 Feb 2021). CNA (2 Feb 2021) Minister Iswaran - Govt 'will not hesitate to use the full force of the law' on vaccine-related misinformation: Iswaran

79. Commented in REACH that the Singapore Rediscover tourism voucher is too difficult and onerous to redeem online. Will end up not many people using it. Suggest using hardcopy vouchers will have a better outcome of achieving the Tourism objective of rebooting our Tourism Sector. (25/11/2020).    The Online Citizen (17/3/2021) report that only $53 million of the vouchers have been used up out of $320 million in Mar 2021. The voucher will expire in end Jun 2021. Social media netizens feedback that the redemption process online is too onerous to use and thus rather not used it.

80. Share in REACH and SCMP how US democratic system can patch its inadequacies eg. long term strategic planning to anchor strategic industries, plan infrastructure upgrade and ensure continuous talent supply (22Mar2021). CNA news (26Mar2021) Biden unveil trillion dollars plan to invest in new technologies areas that will make it competitive as well as plan infrastructure upgrade.

81. Share in REACH and SCMP Mr LKY say, we can punch above our weight - not because we are big, not because we are rich, not because we are powerful. It is because of our soft power, our ability to emphatise, our ability to work with anyone and our ability to work out mutual benefits with everyone.(25Mar2021). CNA news (26Mar2021)  "China has an overall goal ... to become the leading country in the world, the wealthiest country in the world and the most powerful country in the world," Biden told reporters at the White House. 

82. Post in REACH and SCMP - China Leaders are very smart people, they will determine whether my postings are useful to help them resolve the China-US geopolitical tension and use it (22Mar2021). CNA news (26Mar2021)  Biden told reporters at the White House, "Xi is a smart, smart guy".

83. Post in REACH and SCMP - Dividing the World into 2 Blocs will trigger World War 3 - because the 2 Blocs are not trading resources but instead snatch resources for their Blocs at the expenses of the other Bloc. This is what happen in World War 1 and 2 (22Mar2021). CNA news (26Mar2021)  China ambassador in US Cui TianKai say "Divide the world into 2 different camps or even build confrontational military blocs - is not the solution".

84. Post in REACH and SCMP - Correcting both system of governance and moving them into the middle ground is the key to resolve the seemingly unsolvable deadlock. Suggest democratic process can take place in Communism and evolve into a Hybrid Universal Suffrage / Communism 这是共产主义中的民主进程。 (22Mar2021). CNA news (26Mar2021 Biden say "Xi don't have a democratic - with a smal "d" bone in his body".

85. Post in REACH 25/05/2020, 29/03/2021  If all work at home, that means boss can engage and outsource to foreign workers who demand much lesser salary who are working overseas at home to do Singaporean work.            CNA (4Apr2021) 4 in 10 jobs can be done remotely at home :- MOM report.  Minister Josephine Teo to track such trend and to respone to help local worker. (SK)

86. Advise China to arrange for neutral foreign media and UN rep to visit Xinjiang to dispel genocide claim in Xinjiang in SCMP. (12Apr2021). SCMP report (27Apr2021) that Beijing takes foreign media to Xinjiang in bid to dispel suspicion.

87. Feedback to STB, Toursim voucher should use IC to exchange in CC rather than online if digitalisation is a rush job. And request extend deadline of expiry to Dec 2021 (26Nov2020). CNA (30Apr2021) STB to extend deadline from Jun 2021 to Dec 2021 and allow enhancement in tourism voucher redepmtion. If people encounter difficulties to redeem online, can use IC to redeem toursim vouchers in CC.

88. SK suggest in REACH Government should inform people who were present at the same place of visit or locations by infected people so that people can take precaution. (REACH - 14Sep2020). Government implement "SafeEntry - Were you there" website whereby people can access the website via SingPass to check whether people are in the same vicinty visited by infected people. (2May2021) (SK)

89. 23Nov2020 SK suggest in REACH to donate Tourism vouchers of $100 to charities if some people don't want to use it. CNA (30Apr2021) STB allow people to donate tourism voucher to charities. (SK)

90. 30 Apr 2021 suggest in REACH to vaccinate patients in hospitals if medically eligible as the patients don't put on mask in hospital wards. 5May2021 Mdm Ho Ching say in Facebook - patients should be vaccinated.

91. 27Apr2021 SK send a URL link which I send to REACH portal of a science journal that link mRNA vaccines (eg. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine) to neurological disease as the 2 proteins in body bind with mRNA molecules that cause aggregate protein in brain or spinal cord leading to dermentia or Parkinson disease. Straits Times 6May2021 report that Singapore medical experts debunk claims of link between Covid-19 vaccines and neurological diseases, say more evidence needed. Currently experimental evidence did not indicate the 2 proteins in body bind with mRNA molecules that cause aggregate protein in brain or spinal cord leading to dermentia or Parkinson disease. (SK)

92. 4May2021 Propose in REACH to prop up safe air bubble despite the community spread to keep our External Economy going. Consist of 4 safe ways to ensure safe travel without needing to quarantine. 6 May 2021 Straits Times Minister Ong Ye Kung propose 4 safe ways to ensure safe travel without needing to quarantine.

93. 10May2021 6.45pm Propose in REACH to let not racism take hold after a few cases of verbal or physical assault against Indians concerning India double mutants. 10May2021 11.20pm CNA report PM Lee HL and few leaders warn against racism hatred towards the Indians due to increase in India double mutants.

94. 10Apr2020 SK suggest a risk-based approach rather than evidence-based approach should be used as it is a more proactive method to tackle the covid pandemic. 5May2021 Minister Lawrence Wong say Singapore approach to this covid pandemic is risk-based. (SK)

95. 31Mar2020 SK suggest using GPS data and mobile signal to map up places visited by infected people. https://ppvpc.github.io/ implemented this suggestion of places visited by infected people onto Singapore map. (SK)

96. Suggest in REACH to use mass vaccination as the primary tool to solve this India double mutants and defeat the covid-19. (15May, 17May,2012). PM Lee Hsien Loong Facebook (18May2021) Vaccination remains one of the best ways to keep ourselves safe. We want to protect as many people as possible, and as soon as possible.

97. Suggest in REACH "Will the Government dispatch someone to coax elderly to vaccinate? Know of some elderly who are adverse of vaccination due to getting wrong facts from the news. Need the authorities to dispatch someone to educate and coax some of the elderly who are given letters for vaccination - but did not register to vaccinate. The dispatch person can help the elderly to register for vaccination once the elderly are convinced to be vaccinated." [2:49 pm, 02/03/2021]. Straits Times ( MAY 19, 2021, 12:36 AM.) Home Covid-19 vaccination service to be offered for those who are homebound. 

98. Suggest in REACH to tackle 2nd wave leading to Phase 2HA (Heightened Alert) - speedy contact tracing, testing, ring-fence, ramp up vaccination. (1May2021). CNA (31May2021). PM Lee televised speech - faster and more test, speedy contact tracing, and vaccination.

99. Suggest in REACH to consider using non-mRNA vaccine (eg. Sinovac) - for those people not suitable for mRNA vaccines due to allergies (21May2021). CNA (31May2021)  People who want alternative COVID-19 vaccines (due to allergies to mRNA vaccines) can get them under special access route - such as WHO approved Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson or Sinovac when WHO approved.

100. SK suggest in REACH - important to do aggressive testing to identify all infected cases - so that it can be ring-fence and control the spread. (25/04/2020) CNA (31May2021). PM Lee televised speech - faster and more test, speedy contact tracing, and vaccination. Many types of test kits are made available eg. breath analysers, DIY test kits, saliva test kits, seweage analysis in addition to ART and PCR. (SK)

101. Suggest in REACH - Mandatory Vaccination for whole population in Singapore to protect everyone - especially in endemic stage. (17/05/2021). Straits Times (1Jun2021) Covid-19 vaccine could become like yearly flu shot, say experts on Straits Times' panel discussion. 

“At some point, we will see Covid-19 being included as part of our national immunisation schedule for both adults and children, and perhaps we will need regular booster shots from time to time to make sure we continue to be protected, especially against any new emerging variants,” said Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore.

102. Commented in REACH (3Jun2021) that Singapore less than 40% vaccination rate among our population has not reached an inflection point - where we can treat covid as mild flu - as though we are in an endemic stage. We cannot be foolhardy and will be suicidal if we relax our restriction without observing what the math and science of the infection and vaccination rate tell us. Else many unvaccinated people will succumb.

CNA (4Jun2021) Singapore medical experts say that our Vaccination of less than 40% has not entitled us to take our foot off the brake. Else we are going to have an explosive situation. Only when we achieve a high Vaccination rate of 70 - 90% - then we have reach endemic stage - and can treat covid as mild flu. But those unvaccinated people will be most vulnerable to covid - as they are without protection and may land them in hospitals if they fail to vaccinate.

103. I post in SCMP (30 Apr, 2021) - urge China to develop and manifest "Heart Softpower" - --- that can win over many friends all over the World instead of focus on economic power or military might to win friendship.

CNA (04 Jun 2021) President Xi Jin Ping say that China needs to create a new image that is “trustworthy, lovable, and respectful”. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged senior party leaders and wants the country to learn how to make friends and influence people. This could be a sign of a shift in China’s foreign policy posture towards constructive engagement and away from confrontation.

104. Suggest in REACH (03Jun2021) that once vaccination rate reaches an inflection point like in Israel, US, UK, EU - above 50%, infection number fall drastically. Suggest Singapore must achieve this inflection point of vaccination. 

Straits Times (11Jun2021) MTF Lawrence Wong say Singapore is aiming for half its residents to be fully vaccinated by August, and at least 75 per cent by October 2021.

Finance Minister Lawrence Wong gave the projection at a news conference on Thursday (June 10), as he noted that the United States saw infection rates steadily come down - from a peak in January this year - when about half the population developed immunity to the coronavirus which causes Covid-19.

105. I commented in REACH (14 & 18Jun2021) - that Singapore has not reached endemic stage (mild flu) as we are only 30% over with 2 dose vaccination, and our infection number, hospitalisation number is still high. 

CNA (18Jun2021) (5pm) Singapore’s vaccination rates are currently “still not high enough” to provide sufficient protection in the population, said co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministerial task force Lawrence Wong on Friday (Jun 18).  

Speaking at a press conference, he noted the views of some people who think that since COVID-19 could be endemic,  Singapore should proceed with easing measures as planned and “not overreact to each and every new cluster”. “So if we were to ease our restrictions too early, big clusters can easily break out and overwhelm us and result in higher hospitalisation and even mortality for the vulnerable groups. That's exactly what we are worried about.” 

106. SK suggest in REACH (8Jun2021) to arrange school by school and class by class to vaccinate school children to ferry them by school bus. Parents who agree their children to vaccinate should just sign the consent form. Dr Maliki Osman, Senior MOS (21Jun2021)say MOE has plan to ferry school children to vaccination centre when school reopen after Jun holiday. (SK)

107. SK post in REACH (18Jun2021) that the MOH website on Breakdown of local cases by Vaccination and Severity of cases - There was no timeframe stamp for the collected statistics. Presume all three bars are tabulated from the same timeframe?

MOH update the timeframe (since 28Apr2021) based on the feedback (22Jun2021). (SK)

108. Suggest in REACH (1May2021) using ring-fence to quickly isolate any cluster detected.  

Straits Times 24Jun2021 MTF say "We are adopting an aggressive ring-fencing strategy - casting a wide net to isolated contacts of infected persons."

109. Suggest in REACH (30Apr2021) to monitor and use Israel vaccination model as our model for vaccination due to its positive outcome in curbing covid. 

Straits Times 24Jun2021 Israel's Covid-19 vaccine success gives hope to Singapore.

110. Suggest in REACH (21Jun2021) that treatment drugs will be an important tool - the moment we enter into endemic stage by treating covid as mild flu - as treatment is important to minimise hospitalisation, ICU, oxygen support and death - to enable fast recovery from covid. 

Straits Times 24Jun2021 Scientists around the World are working on treatments for Covid-19. Today, we already have a range of effective treatment, that is why we have very low mortality rates.

111. Post (January 21, 2016) to suggest Police should use handgun loaded with magazine of more than 10 rounds to replace revolvers - to deal with terrorism. 

CNA 20Jun2021 Singapore police switching to Glock pistols after two decades of using Taurus revolver - here's why

112. SK (17May2021) suggest using layer-by-layer approach to with education and then inconveniencing those who refuse to vaccinate first before jumping into mandatory vaccination. 

Minister Lawrence Wong 24Jun2021 say MTF is working on domestic policies to provide convenience to vaccinated people in attending events, social gatherings, religious activities. And vaccinated people can travel and return without SHN but more tests. (SK)

113. Suggest in REACH (28May, 21, 24, 25Jun2021) to impose Mandatory Vaccination for covid-19 for the whole population if to declare Endemic stage and treat covid-19 as mild flu. Without vaccination, unvaccinated people will succumb to serious illness or even death.

Channel 8 news 26Jun2021 MOE Minister Chan Chun Sing say exploring Mandatory Vaccination for covid-19 for students.

114. Suggest in REACH (16/02/2021) - 2. Layer-by-layer approach

Among the approaches we can adopt to convince "anti-vaxx" group to vaccinate :-

- TV, mainstream media, social media streaming of health experts, artistes, Government of encouraging people to get vaccinated, allay people's fear in vaccination etc.

Straits Times (27Jun2021) Ministers team up with local celebs in online videos to urge seniors in Singapore to get Covid-19 jabs.

115. SK (27Jun2021) suggest no PE for 1 to 2 weeks after school children got their vaccination jab to prevent heart exertion. 

Straits Times (28Jun2021) combat covid-19 expert committee chairman say "These include refraining from strenuous exercise for one week after the second dose and seeing a doctor if one feels unwell." (SK)

116. SK (21Jun2021) suggest in REACH to discern between being reckless and taking a risk-based approach. As our vaccination rates rise, we should look at the new metrics for reopening rather than mere numbers of new infections. We are learning to accept that zero-covid is unachievable, at least not in the near term. Then can our goal be near-zero deaths and serious illness? Then how much more can we stealthily reopen without the virus rearing it's ugly head?

CNA (7Jul2021) Groups of five can dine out from Jul 12; work-from-home remains the default. Gradual reopening plan (not reckless reopening). (SK)

117. I presented my solutions in ZOOM virtual meeting (4Jul2021) with Minister of National Development Desmond Lee and MOS Tan Kiat How as well as press media - on using multi-Dimensional Matrix as eligibility criteria that represent Singapore population demograhics as well as MOP of 10 years to curb speculative activities and keep the HDB flats at prime location down. I also suggest additional subsidies that can crawl back to make HDB flats at prime location affordable.

AsiaOne (4Jul2021) (8,42pm) Minister Desmond Lee say that HDB flats in prime location is a major social policy - not just about home or possible investment upside. Stricter eligibility criteria and more subsidies may be considered to make the HDB flats in prime location affordable.

118. SK propose time-slicing of the HDB lease period to make HDB flat affordable and reduce the needs for hefty Government grants and subsidies. I presented SK proposal as Solution 2 via ZOOM virtual meeting (4Jul2021) with Minister of National Development Desmond Lee and MOS Tan Kiat How as well as press media.

CNA (8Jul2021) say smaller homes, shorter-lease units due to shifting demograhpics such as smaller family units, a rise in singlehood and ageing population. Smaller flats will be useful for singles as lesser space is required and flats will be more affordable. Shorter lease is especially useful for elderly as elderly has shorter runway and short-lease will make the flats affordable. (SK)

119. I post in REACH (21Oct2020) suggesting that Singapore should act as a gateway between US and China technology, economic and financial bifurcation.

Straits Times (12Jul2021) As the United States seeks to decouple technologically from China and Beijing retaliates, there are opportunities to be had in this tussle for Singapore, a Chinese entrepreneur has said.

This is because there is a need for a buffer zone between the two sides, said Dr Xiao Feng, chairman and CEO of Wanxiang Blockchain Inc, at the FutureChina Global Forum on Monday (July 12) organised by Business China.

Singapore can be that "technological buffer zone to connect the two countries" as a digital free port, he said.

120. I suggest in REACH (05Jul2021) that MOH should consider revising no physical exercise for 2 weeks after jab. (As a boy got cardiac arrest 6 days after jab do weightlifting). (Note :- MOH currently advise after 2nd jab - avoid strenous exercise for 1 week). 

Straits Times (15Jul2021) Recruits, NSmen to avoid strenuous activities for 2 weeks after Covid-19 jabs - say SAF.

121. SK suggest in REACH (18Jul2021) I see this as an opportunity to push for people to bring forward their vaccinations. The past 7 days vaccination looked below capacity. If this is the trend for next few weeks, then strongly encourage people to bring forward their appointments.For those isolated and quarantined, once their confinement period is over and they have not been vaccinated, strongly encourage them to do so. Strike while iron is hot.

Straits Times (19Jul2021) Seniors most at risk of getting serious Covid-19 symptoms, should get vaccinated as soon as possible: MOH. (SK)

122. I and SK suggest in REACH (18Jul2021) Delta variants R0 = 5 - 8, thus need 80% vaccination for population to achieve herd immunity. Smallpoxe with R0 > 10 need 100% vaccination.

Straits Times (19Jul2021) Professor Ooi Eng Eong, a microbiologist at the Duke-NUS Medical School, said: "The Delta variant is a lot more infectious. Measures that worked in the past may not be as effective."

With a transmission rate of 5-8, in other words, one infected person is likely to infect between five and eight people who are not vaccinated (those who have been vaccinated may get infected, but the rate would be much lower), Prof Ooi said vaccination is the best strategy.

That was how smallpox, with a similar transmission rate, was controlled.

Today, about 2.7 million people, or roughly half the population, have been fully vaccinated, with another 1.5 million partially vaccinated.

Singapore plans to ease restrictions once two-thirds of people here are fully vaccinated. So time is running out for the one million eligible people still dithering about whether to get vaccinated.

123. I suggest in REACH (19Jul2021) that if we are unable to confidently subdue the KTV wave or the JFP wave from spreading, the only way to bring the infection down to single digit and zero - is to rollback and tighten the measures.

CNA (20Jul2021) Return to tighter measures needed as COVID-19 infections likely to 'rise sharply' at current transmission rates: MOH.

124. SK suggest in REACH (12Jul2021) - elderly who have regular appointments to monitor their sugar, blood, cholesterol at polyclinics. Direct them to vaccinate if they are well. Similarly, all specialist clinic doctors who serve elderly should btw advise them and counter staff to help make appointments.

CNA news (20Jul2021) Minister Ong Ye Kung in MTF say that Government is calling personal doctors of elderly to persuade the elderly to vaccinate. (SK)

125. Suggest in REACH (16, 18, 19 Jul 2021) that unless we have achieve more than 80% mass vaccination herd immunity, any suggestions of endemic is fatal. So to defeat this covid pandemic - mass vaccination must ramp up to what the transmission model say - only then we talk about endemic. 

Straits Times (20Jul2021) Mr Gan said: "I think we are on an expressway towards the final objective of endemic Covid-19. But along the way, there will be bumps, and sometimes you may have roadblocks, you may have obstacles, and you may need to make a detour.

"But eventually, when we overcome the roadblocks, we will come back to the expressway and continue the journey."

He said the need remained to be flexible and respond quickly as the situation evolved in order to keep it under control.

126. Suggest in REACH (16Jul 2021) that Yes agree to endemic only if 80% are fully vaccinated. Not now when 58% are not fully vaccinated - when it can easily overwhelm the hospitalisation.

Straits Times (20Jul2021) About 71 per cent of seniors aged 70 and above here have been vaccinated. Another 100,000 or so in this age group have yet to be vaccinated, Mr Ong added.

"They have a high likelihood of falling critically ill once infected. Almost every one of them, if infected, will end up in hospital because they are high risk, and 10 to 15 per cent of them, based on our experience, will end up in the ICU (intensive care unit)."

He added: "In our case, (with) 50 per cent fully vaccinated or received two doses, plus having 200,000 or more seniors above 60 still unvaccinated, I think we still have work to do."

127. I suggest in REACH (20, 22Jul 2021) that only Mandatory Vaccination can make elderly vaccinate. Else talk until the cow come home - these elderly will not budge.

200,000 elderly unvaccinated. Because it can easily overwhelm our hospitals resources if so many elderly don't get vaccinated. This is the main reason why we need again to lockdown. To resolve the root cause of lockdown - get elderly to vaccinate. If elderly refuse to vaccinate out of misguided fear - despite all efforts to educate them fail --- mandate compulsory vaccination for their own good and for the good of the community.

Straits Times (23Jul2021) Until and unless vaccination is made compulsory, this elderly group will remain. Is it fair for the country to come to a standstill to cater to a stubborn minority? Earlier this year, the task force said it is not the overall infection numbers, but rather the number who are seriously ill that is important, as this could impact hospital care, or even overwhelm hospital services. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung explained on Facebook the recent decision to tighten measures: "Markets are frequented by seniors, many of whom remain unvaccinated.

128. SK suggest in REACH (19Jul 2021) that Moving forward, measures may  have to discern vaccinated and unvaccinated. 

Straits Times (26Jul2021) Singapore MTF to review Covid-19 rules in early August, ease measures for vaccinated people if situation under control. (SK)

129. Post in REACH (28Jul2021) using tree diagram math model and AI predictive simulation model - to predict and forecast the percentage of mass vaccination to defeat covid (Delta variants).

Straits Times (29Jul2021) Straits times 29Jul2021 report 2 NUS public health teams carrying out modeling to predict the number of infection, unvaccinated, partially vaccinated correspond to severe illness and require hospital care.

130. Post in SCMP (25Jul2021) for SuperPowers not to engage in conflict over ideological differences but instead of collaborating on how to tackle global pandemics, climate, economy and other global issues.

SCMP (29Jul2021) Hong Kong tricked into buying US and British myths on freedoms, democracy. America is really an oligarchy and Hongkongers must be wise to the failings of the US system. Hong Kong should adopt a Singapore-style system, which has proved successful when it comes to necessities like housing, health care and pension.

131. Post in REACH (22Jul2021) by declaring endemic and not looking at infection number when majority has not been fully vaccinated is premature - will result in high hospitalisation and serious illness - and overwhelm the hospital resources. SK mention that the right timing and right condition to declare enedmic is important - else may result in unintended consequences. (SK)

CNA (31Jul2021) report that as infection number goes up due to Delta variants, hospitalisation and serious illness also go up even among the vaccinated. US CDC report that unless everyone is vaccinated, only then endemic plan may work.

132. I suggest in REACH (3May2021) hospital patients should be vaccinated at the hospital if medically eligible - so they can be protected from covid in the hospital.

CNA news (4Aug2021) All patients who are unvaccinated will be approached by hospital healthcare team on covid-19 vaccination if clinically appropriate.

Patients who received their 1st dose covid vaccination at the hospital should return to the same hospital for their 2nd dose, said MOH.

133. I posted in REACH (6Aug2021) 6. Remember no one is safe unless everyone is safe.

Even if 10% is unvaccinated, > 500,000 people are unvaccinated and will serve as a Trojan that will reinfect the majority.

To conclude, I will like to urge the government to give serious consideration to the above suggestions before declaring endemic.

Everyone life is important. We can protect each and everyone - with a stroke of the law to mandate compulsory vaccination.

MoEnv Grace Fu echo what I say in REACH (6Aug2021) in channel 8 interview today 10Aug2021 at 7pm.

Even with 10% unvaccinated, 500,000 over people will be unvaccinated.

Given Delta variants high transmission rate, it will still be dangerous for Singapore.

That means, the government will likely not able to tolerate 90% vaccination and will likely shoot for 100% vaccination.

Look like to achieve 100% vaccination, mandatory vaccination can only achieve this target.

134. SK suggest in REACH (19Jul2021) Consider issuing vaccinated persons with a card size vaccination cert for ease of validation. Moving forward, measures may  have to discern vaccinated and unvaccinated. Currently, people can pass off with a fake screen shot. 

AsiaOne (12Aug2021) Severe penalty for individuals caught using someone else's vaccine cert, warns Ong Ye Kung.H ealth Minister Ong Ye Kung has warned against using another person's vaccination certificate in order to be allowed to dine at restaurants, saying the authorities are aware this is happening.

135. I suggest in REACH (04Aug2021) Full HBL only happens during CB. Full WFH only happens during CB. Now is not CB, phase 2 HA. Thus full HBL and WFH is not activated as a big proportion of people are vaccinated. Targeted approach for school and 50% hybrid for workforce will not support a full HBL for children.

Phase 2 HA affect the whole country, and the whole economy - not just schools. Government, business, workers, school children need careful coordination. Moe cannot decide alone all HBL. Remember our last CB - cost our government finance $100 billion. We cannot afford another such hit. Also we cannot compromise the quality of the education just because there is pandemic. Employers will be as demanding on the workers performance.

Straits Times (13Aug2021) The Ministry of Education (MOE) will “fine tune” its response to COVID-19 cases in schools to “minimise the disruptions” while keeping students safe, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing on Friday (Aug 13). Since early August, the ministry has moved towards a “more targeted approach” that affects a more narrowly defined group of students whenever there is a positive COVID-19 case in school, he wrote in a Facebook post. Full HBL has its limitations and is disruptive to students, parents and teachers. It is not a sustainable option and must be our last resort,”.

136. SK suggest in REACH (11Aug2021) Job market virtualisation is a reality and happening very fast. Foreigners can work on sg project from their homes in a foreign land. Similarly, Singaporeans should be brave to take up overseas project/assignments and work from sg home.

Straits Times (14Aug2021) Not possible to 'bubble wrap' S'poreans from foreign competition, especially with rise of remote work: DPM Heng. Compounding the matter is the normalisation of remote work due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the recognition that "working from home" is just one step away from "working from anywhere".

137. SK suggest in REACH (16Aug2021) [12:46 pm] Then MOH should publish 0 person died from vaccination; x persons out of xxxx vaccinated had serious side effects. How many recovered etc.Just state the facts. Set up a channel for people to quiz the ministry if the messages they received were true, and ministry to post answers - like a fact checker resource site to debunk misinformation. Esp those info which has been tagged as "forwarded" or "forwarded many times".

Straits Times (16Aug2021) [6:46 pm] For the national vaccination programme, a total of 7,567,466 doses have been administered, out of which 9,403 suspected adverse event reports were received. Of these, 389 reports - or 0.005 per cent of administered doses - were classified as serious adverse events, as at July 31. For the Sinovac vaccine, 47 reports - or 0.0451 per cent - were received for 104,061 doses, including four serious reports. HSA said the adverse events were consistent with those typically observed following any vaccination. "These typically resolve within a few days. Among the serious adverse events reports, the most frequently reported adverse events were anaphylaxis and other severe allergic reactions."  "Although there is a small increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis in the younger age groups (30 years and below), the local incidence rate remains low. HSA, in its statement, said most cases in the younger age group have responded well to treatment and have recovered, or were discharged well from hospital. It said: "It is important to note that heart attacks and strokes occur naturally within our population, regardless of whether or not people are vaccinated. "The frequency of heart attacks and strokes in vaccinated persons locally is within the background incidence rates, and to date, there is no evidence that the vaccines can directly cause these events."

138. I post in REACH (16/08/2021) Misinformation about people that pass away after vaccination are being spread around in social media - frightening people to vaccinate.

Such misinformation go without challenge - and strike fear among people - whether elderly, and vaccine hesitant people - this holding back vaccination.

For government to successfully persuade this group of people, we must first tackle such misinformation.

I have spoken to some elderly.

I also received information on why some educated people why some are still holding back on vaccination.

All express the same reason - that some people have died after 1st and 2nd jabs - but not reported in mainstream media. But social media reported such incidents.

They attributed the vaccination cause the death.

I told them if Vaccination is the cause of the death, it will usually be reported. 

The death could be due to their existing illness.

But they say how come so coincidental - when after the jab, some people pass away.

So they say they are fearful to get the jab.

They fear vaccination trigger death - more than contracting the virus.

Unless we can reassure this last percentile group that those reported in social media are misinformation - we will have difficulty convincing this last group to vaccinate.

CNA (18Aug2021) There is a natural tendency for negative events to catch attention when the causal effects have not been investigated or established, such as the claim an 81-year-old here had died of an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccination in April. The Ministry of Health clarified that the man died of heart disease and not because of the vaccine. Videos from around the world linking vaccination to deaths have also gone viral and had to be corrected, but the resulting public fear over vaccines was hard to rectify.

In one example, a video circulating in January showed a young man in Israel supposedly fainting at a vaccination site with the caption alleging he died 15 minutes after receiving his second dose. Fact-checkers later verified the man was treated, sent home, and was alive.

139. SK suggest in REACH (20Jul2021) Say gov come out with some kind of tamper proof sticker where fully vaccinated persons can stick on their NRIC/driver licence cards for adults and NRIC/student pass for students. Then gov can consider allowing businesses to operate on a model for vaccinated customers. SDAs are empowered to check for strict compliances. 

 CNA (19Aug2021)

140. SK suggest in REACH (18Jul2021) So moving into endemic is necessary for SG after we have hit our highest vaccinated rate as practically as possible. Just remember that there's no proven path, we have to  feel every step of the riverbed as we cross the river (摸着石头过河)。Every step of the way is a judgement call, let's stay together and not be divided if things don't turn out well as hoped or expected.

Yahoo news (19 August 2021) Singapore won't reach COVID herd immunity: Lawrence Wong. Instead, Singapore must be mentally prepared that cases will rise as the country resumes activities and reopens its economy in a controlled manner, he said. "We are feeling the stones as we cross the river."

141. I propose in REACH (26Jul2021 - current) Mandatory Vaccination to ensure 100% vaccination - because no one is safe until everyone is safe once Health Authority granted full and final approval for covid vaccination for public use. US FDA granted full and final approval Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as covid vaccination for public use on 23 Aug 2021.

I say in REACH (20Aug2021) Malaysia vaccination rate is lower than both US and UK - R0 > 10. Hence 100% vaccination is essential to stop Delta.

PM Lee NDR Rally 2021 say [29/08/2021] Government will come to you one by one until everyone is vaccinated - before the virus come to you. It is as good as Mandatory Vaccination! 100% vaccination - our vaccination target.

AFP news (27Aug2021) Waning immunity? -

According to data published this week by US authorities, the efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines at preventing infection has fallen from 91 percent to 66 percent since Delta became the dominant variant.

And studies have shown that the vaccine efficacy against infection with Delta falls over time -- one of the reasons why several countries are now readying for an autumn third shot, or "booster", vaccination campaign.

With all this taken into account, absent other health measures such as mask-wearing or social distancing, Sofonea said it would take more than 100 percent of people to be vaccinated in order to guarantee transmissions end.

142. SK suggest in REACH (11Aug2021) The objective of having vaccination-differentiated measures such as regular testing at workplace is not clear to me.

We have seen too many breakthroughs on vaccinated persons. So to me if the goal is to isolate the infected, and therefore help to contain the spread, then both vaccinated and unvaccinated should be subjected to regular tests. The differentiated treatment to me, should then be more frequently for unvaccinated and less frequently for vaccinated since there are studies that claimed that vaccinated has lower chance of getting infected.

Straits Times (6Sep2021) These tests will continue to be administered primarily through the Employer Supervised Self-Swab scheme. The Government will subsidise the cost of all tests under this enhanced surveillance regime, for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, until the end of this year.

143. SK suggest in REACH [04/09/2021][1:38 pm, 06/09/2021] When cases rise, serious cases rise proportionately. Still can overwhelm healthcare capacity. Open up carefully.

CNA news 06 Sep 2021 06:04PM (Updated: 06 Sep 2021 09:29PM) Singapore needs to “take quick action” to dampen the increasing likelihood of an "exponential rise" in COVID-19 cases, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday (Sep 6). Speaking to reporters, Mr Lawrence Wong, co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force, said the transmission rate of COVID-19 has to be slowed down.

144. SK suggest in REACH [06Sep2021] When cases rise, serious cases rise proportionately. Still can overwhelm healthcare capacity. Open up carefully.

CNA news (10Sep2021) “Although our vaccination rate has now surpassed that of many countries and is one of the highest in the world, we want to be sure that the number of cases will not suddenly spike, which can lead to more serious cases, and which will, in turn, overwhelm our healthcare system.” 

145. SK suggest in REACH [08Sep2021] So I'm happy to hear gov taking a strong stance to institutionalized workplace surveillance testing to pick up more cases and enforce micro-lockdown to slow transmission. This will then help improve premptive efforts to arrest potential infections. Vaccination has its limits. I'm not asking for more HA measures but target at more aggressive and contact tracing.

Both my close friend views and my views are identical - somewhere in the middle between tighter lockdown or remain endemic. Slight tightening to bring number down, but remains open for the Economy and allow some social movements.

CNA news (10 Sep 2021) Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said Singapore is sticking to its course for now on a transition towards endemic living. "As far as possible, we don’t want to reverse course in our transition plan," said Mr Ong.  For now, we are not reversing, we still want to progress on our transitioning journey. But we’re not racing ahead, we are actively responding, watching and monitoring.”

“And that’s why we are not making a return to the heightened alert, because there is tremendous fatigue … Our focus is not the daily numbers, but we’re looking at the hospital system and therefore with a high vaccination rate, there is no need to go back at this time to a heightened alert,” he added. 

146. SK suggest in REACH [08Sep2021] So I'm happy to hear gov taking a strong stance to institutionalized workplace surveillance testing to pick up more cases and enforce micro-lockdown to slow transmission.

Straits Times (12Sep2021) Chinatown Complex closed after Covid-19 cluster with 66 cases; S’pore reports 555 new infections.

147. I suggest in REACH (8Sep2021) Let us achieve 100% vaccination. Government can take a stronger stance such as Mandatory Vaccination. Unvaccinated people must also play their part to vaccinate. Children below 12 years old must also fully vaccinated. Then we can do a better fully vaccinated controlled endemic opening.

Straits Times (12Sep2021) S'pore should make Covid-19 vaccination mandatory, so measures can ease for everyone. Salma Khalik Senior Health Correspondent.

148. I suggest in REACH (18Aug2021) 1. Get everyone vaccinated 100%. Mandate vaccination if necessary when final approval is granted.

a. Because herd immunity is no longer possible as many medical experts say so even if 95% are vaccinated.

b. Even if 10% unvaccinated will have 570,000 people unvaccinated and put pressure on our hospital resources.

c. Adopt 100% vaccination like other dangerous virus pandemic such as smallpox measles mumps rubella diphtheria polio TB etc.

Straits Times (12Sep2021) It is the estimated 500,000 people who are eligible but have chosen not to get vaccinated who are threatening the healthcare system. Mandatory vaccination is not a new concept. That was largely how the world eradicated smallpox. In Singapore, it is legally required for children to be vaccinated against diphtheria and measles.

149. I suggest in REACH (5Jul2021) MOH should consider revising no physical exercise for 2 weeks after jab.

CNA news (16Sep2021) Separately, people who have just received their jabs should also avoid strenuous physical activity for two weeks, instead of the one week that was previously recommended, the committee said.

Straits Times (16Sep2021) Avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks after Covid-19 vaccine jabs, instead of 1 week, says expert panel.

150. I suggest in REACH (15Sep2021) 1. The current daily infection number - that jump by 100 a day and yesterday close to 200 jump to 832 infected --- the highest record. 2. Is this infected a number a cause for concern? 3. Yes it is. Becasue the higher the infection number - hospitalisation number will go up, serious cases will go up and even death may go up. 4. So there is a need to tame the infection number. We want to see with all the above measures introduce, how far can Delta spread and when Delta will die down on its own ------ with our high vaccination rate, and continue push for 100% vaccination. Also will hospitalisation number, serious cases or death --- kept in check (control by our high vaccination rate). This will be an important data for us ---- in preparation for the endemic. c. There must be a threshold set for our this pilot test. If the hospitalisation number or serious cases or death hit that threshold - we must stop this pilot test - and do a hard brake --- to bring the hospitalisation, serious cases or death down - and hence the infection number down.

d. This 2 to 4 weeks are our crucical monitoring period ---- to see how far Delta can go - and how far our vaccination rate and our social distancing measures can tame this current wave of Delta. e. After 2 to 4 weeks time, we will need to re-org and determine what will be our next step forward --- where hopefully our vaccination can hit 90% (ie. all elderly and adults are vaccinated).

 Straits Times (15Sep2021) It will be an unprecedented accomplishment for Singapore to ride out the current wave of infections without paying a price in human lives, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (Sept 15). This is why the country is watching so closely to see if more Covid-19 cases will lead to more severe illness and death. In contrast, Singapore's current wave of transmission started 23 days ago, with about 6,600 new infections in that time. There were also seven admissions to intensive care and two deaths, which were predominantly accounted for by unvaccinated people. The country is riding this wave in a "relatively naive state, without natural antibodies but with vaccine-generated immunity", Mr Ong said. Thus, it is prudent for the Republic to hold its position while deciding on its next steps.

151. I suggest in REACH (17Sep2021) I keep suggesting because US FDA has grant full approval to the vaccines. I am pushing HSA for the same and hence mandatory vaccination. Not only I keep pushing, few MPs and even medical experts push too. But it is up to policy makers. US FDA has given the assurance and approval. Only waiting for HSA. I think government is waiting for the right moment, when all jigs, vaccines, safety data are in place before they will follow what the US FDA do.

CNA news (18Sep2021) The question of whether Singapore would make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory was raised in Parliament on Tuesday (Sep 14). Highlighting Singapore’s high vaccination rates and acceptance by the population, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said that full approval of COVID-19 vaccines will continue to go through.  In Singapore, the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been given emergency approval for the national vaccination programme under pandemic circumstances but have not been registered with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), pending more medical data.

The US Food and Drug Administration announced on Aug 23 that Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine received full approval, after the completion of updated clinical trials with six months of follow-up of a larger clinical trial population and a more extensive review of manufacturing facilities, plans and processes. This paves the way for the US to implement vaccine mandates in a bigger range of settings including in the workplace, said Dr St John. However, despite overwhelming evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe, it is “still important to wait for that regulatory approval and due diligence” here.h due process, with the Health Ministry monitoring the matter.

152. I suggest in REACH (17Sep2021) We are not the first. Indonesia, US are among the first to mandate vaccination. 

CNA news (18Sep2021) He added that Singapore’s situation was vastly different from that in the US, which had rolled out an aggressive slew of vaccine mandates on Sep 9, following the US Food and Drug Administration’s full authorisation of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine.

153. I suggest in REACH (17Sep2021) Unless the government or someone propose a better solution to make 100% vaccination. I will happily support it. Until now, no one has better ideas and the infection number are raging and lockdown could be impending. My only complain is - how to hasten the process of Vaccinating the remaining 285,000 elderly and adults. Probably government can offer a big monetary reward to the one that offer good working ideas or actions that  successfully Vaccinate the remaining unvaccinated people.

CNA news (18Sep2021) Ramping up communications to convince those on the fence, along with differentiated measures nudging more to take the shot can help get vaccination rates up, say infectious diseases experts on CNA’s Heart of the Matter podcast. But it requires relentless work – with doctors and nurses on the ground speaking to patients, even continuing community outreach and webinars after clinic hours, Dr Lye confesses. And he will not let up in persuading people to take the vaccine. “To all listeners, if you want me to talk to your social groups, I am contactable to clarify your doubts. (But) it is important to not be overly harsh on these (unvaccinated) people because mental health is a major fallout from this pandemic as well.”

154. I suggest in REACH (23Aug2021) This infringe the Hippocratic oath. 1. Hippocratic oath apply to fair treatment to all people when people get ill. Medical professionals worldwide make such declaration before conferring the certification to become doctors.

CNA news (18Sep2021) Dr Lye warned against penalising unvaccinated people who catch COVID-19 too harshly, which could discourage them from coming forward when they catch the virus. He said one of the reasons behind Singapore’s “exceptionally low” COVID-19 mortality rates has been its ability to detect infections early, monitor and treat severe cases aggressively but that could be undermined if the unvaccinated decide not to seek medical care until they are “gasping for air”.

155. I suggest in REACH (8Sep2021) 5. Looking for solutions to block the infection at the source become vital - as vaccination can no longer effective in preventing infection at the source (ie. nose and mouth viral load transmission). 6. 7 Nasal spray that are currently on trial worldwide (eg. Israel, US, Singapore etc)- need to be closely look at. 7. If Nasal spray solutions can effectively block the covid viral load from being propagated - if people remove their masks to eat, talk, sneeze, cough, excrete mucous, saliva or running nose ---- then nasal spray will have cover the inadequacies of vaccination to prevent and block infection. 8. If nasal spray is effective, then covid spread will have been effectively curb - as it cannot jump host.

Yahoo news (AFP news)(September 18, 2021) Vaccine nasal sprays aim to 'shut door' on virus. The World Health Organization says clinical trials are underway to evaluate eight nasal spray vaccines that target Covid-19. Stimulating immunity directly in the nose "lowers the risk of infecting other people", said Mielcarek. "From there you have less of the virus infecting the lungs and so fewer severe cases since the viral load is lower," she added.

156. I say in REACH (8Sep2021) 4. Hence I will like to coin the concept of "Vaccinated Controlled Endemic" with high vaccination (100% vaccination if possible) as a baseline to live with the covid as endemic while reopening the domestic and international Economy. That's step by step reopening with safeguard and not uncontrolled endemic. The middle path between zero covid and full endemic. "Feeling the stones mindfully, as you cross the river".

Straits Times (22Sep2021) MOH Ong Ye Kung - At the same time, this does not mean Singapore should lift all restrictions and open up to the extent that countries like Britain and the United States have. "What we need to do is to take the middle road, and everyone needs to adjust so that we can co-exist with the virus and find a new balance," he said. He added that there was a difference between co-existing with Covid-19 and treating it as an endemic disease like influenza.

157. REACH (24Sep2021) (1.34pm)

My comments :-

1. This past 1 week - the infection number is raging. Many serious cases and quite a number of death - and sign of hospital resources and medical staff strain and overwhelm

2. Yesterday, I was thinking of, should I draft out the condition for more restrictive measures - to tame the infection number - while ramping up vaccination to the remaining unvaccinated people and roll out booster shot for those elderly.

3. But then when I went out for jogging I see people struggling to keep their business going.

4. I now hesitated.

Because it cut both ways.

Right damn, left also damn.

手心是肉。手背也是肉。

It hurts either way.

5. Reduce casualties or make people's life suffer without business and jobs?

SK comments:-

1. That's why have to let people decide at the individual level. 

2. Gov decides at the macro level which is to keep it open and learn to live with covid. 

3. At individual level we have to protect ourselves with vaccines, mask and through social distancing. Decide how much/ little socialisation is required.

My comments :-

1. Yes I guess now this is still the best way forward.

2. Until and unless the infection number go up exponentially and too many succumb to become casualty.

SK comments:-

1. Then gov decides.

My comments :-

1. Yes government will know what is the hospitalisation threshold that it can hold.

2. Beyond this threshold, the hospital resources paralyzed - and this will be the point that I believe government will have to declare a restrictive measures to tame the number - and ensure hospital resources are normalised and the medical staff not overly strained or worst succumb to infection.

3. But looking at the current trajectory - it doesn't smell good.

CNA news (24Sep2021) (6.31pm, updated 8pm) The tightening of safe management measures was a "very difficult decision", said co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force Gan Kim Yong at a press conference on Friday.

“We know that this would affect many businesses and people,” he added. "While doing so may not reduce the number of daily new infections immediately, it will allow us to slow down the speed of increase and avoid overtaxing our healthcare workers." 

158. I suggest in REACH (24Sep2021) (1.34pm) 2. Yesterday, I was thinking of, should I draft out the condition for more restrictive measures - to tame the infection number - while ramping up vaccination to the remaining unvaccinated people and roll out booster shot for those elderly.

Straits Times (24 Sep 2021) (night) - Tighter Covid-19 restrictions will give the Government more time to deliver booster shots and vaccinate those still not vaccinated, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a Facebook post on Friday night (Sept 24 2021).

159. I post in REACH [5:04 pm, 24/09/2021]  1. Hospitals resources and medical staff has a hard quota. The moment this quota threshold is hit - a lockdown is imminent. Else our healthcare system paralyzed and crumbled.

CNA news (08 Oct 2021 08:19PM) COVID-19 isolation bed occupancy at 85%; hospital manpower a 'key resource constraint': MOH. Nonetheless, the large daily caseload has placed "significant strain" on Singapore's healthcare system, it said. "A key resource constraint we now face is our healthcare manpower," said MOH.

CNA news (09 Oct 2021 12:25PM) However, with a limit to how much the country can expand in terms of manpower, Singapore has to moderate the surge in COVID-19 cases, PM Lee said.

160.I post in REACH [12:11 pm, 29/09/2021]: 

1. The concept of Home Recovery Program I support for the following reasons:-

a. Can give up hospital beds for serious cases.

b. Less cost for patients and taxpayer to bear if rest at home.

c. Mentally people are more at ease at home - for the patients and their families members

CNA news (09 Oct 2021 12:25PM) This is why the country has shifted to relying heavily on home recovery, said Mr Lee, adding that it will be the norm for COVID-19 cases.“You can get well in a familiar home setting, without the stress and bother of admitting yourself into a care facility. If most of us can recover at home, it will greatly ease the strain on our hospitals, doctors and nurses,” he said.

161. I post in REACH [2:23 pm, 06/10/2021] : 

5. Endemic occur when our total population achieve a superhuman immunity.

We are still not there yet.

6. Superhuman immunity = Vaccination immunity + booster

7. Superhuman immunity = vaccination immunity + natural infection immunity

8. Singapore are now in covid naive state - experiencing high infection despite > 80% vaccination.

9. We are not in endemic state. And we need to protect those vulnerable from hospitalisation.

Straits Times (09 Oct 2021) PM Lee pointed out that the majority of Singaporeans have never experienced an infection and are Covid-19-naive. This means the natural population immunity is low - even if people have been vaccinated, they are still at some risk of getting infected. This is why Singaporeans must be prepared to see quite many Covid-19 cases for some time to come, he said.

162. SK post in REACH [0:10 pm, 13/09/2021] Said before, when cases rise, serious cases rise proportionately.

Straits Times (09 Oct 2021) "As total cases grow exponentially, the number of serious cases will also grow in step. And when the number of cases grows very large, even 2 per cent of a very large number will translate to many patients needing hospital and ICU (intensive care unit) beds. Our healthcare system would rapidly be overwhelmed. "That is why last month we tightened up our restrictions. It was to slow down the growth in cases, so that we can ease the burden on our healthcare workers and stabilise our healthcare system." (SK)

163. I post in REACH [10:15 am, 20/09/2021]

b. To holdout the current spike till 70 days (the maximum spike cycle in which Delta and other covid strains manifest - in low vaccination Countries like India, Indonesia etc to high vaccination Countries like Israel, UK, US, EU) --- and see how and whether our current covid and Delta wave spike and subside.

This wave cycle will be an extremely important data for us ---- how are we going to live with covid come endemic.

If we successfully witness the whole cycle of infection, spike and remission -- without overwhelming our hospital resources ---- then we will have all the vital data and know-how - how to live with covid in endemic.

Straits Times (09 Oct 2021) 4. Daily cases likely to rise for a few more weeks, 'new normal' three to six months away.

The healthcare system will likely stay under pressure for the next few weeks as daily cases continue to rise, but cases will eventually decline. From the experience of other countries, this could be hopefully within a month or so, said PM Lee. 

164.I post in REACH [3:04 pm, 04/10/2021] :-

2 ways we can go endemic:-

1. Natural infection immunity + vaccinated immunity = superhuman immunity.

(Denmark and Norway do this with many death) - now they can endemic.

2. Israel and Singapore do vaccinated immunity + booster or Natural infection Immunity.

(Less death) - only when all vital number go down then we can endemic.

Watch out for Israel outcome - I think their trajectory is going very well.

So we must achieve 100% vaccination plus booster.

And if the number turn out well - we can declare endemic.

Straits Times (09 Oct 2021) People will know the new normal has been reached when restrictions are largely lifted, there are only light measures in place, daily new cases remain stable at hundreds a day without growing, and hospitals will be able to go back to business as usual. Some countries such as those in Europe have already reached this state but paid dearly in lives lost along the way, noted Mr Lee. Singapore will get there in a careful and safe manner, with as few casualties as possible.

165.I post in REACH [10:18 am, 20/09/2021]

Part 2 - Superhuman Immunity

1. Increasingly, overseas study and our local study have discovered that if a person is infected with covid and subsequently received vaccination or vice versa - Superhuman Immunity can be achieved.

That is :-

Vaccination Immunity + Natural infection Immunity (or booster in which Israel, EU, UK and Singapore try to establish whether have the same effect) = Superhuman Immunity

b. To holdout the current spike till 70 days (the maximum spike cycle in which Delta and other covid strains manifest - in low vaccination Countries like India, Indonesia etc to high vaccination Countries like Israel, UK, US, EU) --- and see how and whether our current covid and Delta wave spike and subside.

This wave cycle will be an extremely important data for us ---- how are we going to live with covid come endemic.

If we successfully witness the whole cycle of infection, spike and remission -- without overwhelming our hospital resources ---- then we will have all the vital data and know-how - how to live with covid in endemic.

CNA (20Oct2021) Mr Wong also acknowledged this has been "probably the most difficult phase" in Singapore's journey through the pandemic so far.

But he added that it will not last "indefinitely", as the wave of infections will peak at some point.

The population also has better immunity against the virus as more people get exposed to it, alongside the country's booster shot programme, he said.

166.I post in REACH (27Sep2021)

5. The current vaccination strategy, theraputics treatment and safe distancing measures --- are not perfect ----- and hence watching how the current Delta wave overwhelming our hospital resources, and straining our medical staff ---- is very important ---- as it will cripple our healthcare system if we fail to do so.

6. Hospital resources have been under stress, even though now we manage to stretch and cope. But if this go on further - our healthcare system will collapse ---- as many patients of other illness have been postpone and move to other healthcare facilities.

Other Countries like UK - has already see many death not from covid - but due to lack of treatment - as hospital resources are taken up by covid patients.

(20Oct2021)

This is the main consideration determining current government measures.

CNA (20Oct2021) “Unfortunately, given the continuing pressures on our healthcare system, more time is needed for the situation to stabilise,” said MOH in a media release.

167. I post in REACH [12:51 pm, 18/10/2021] 

1. UAE 10 million people population but less than 100 infection case per day down from 4,000 cases. Nearly 95% drop in infection with no death.

2. Singapore 5.45 million people clock more than 3,000 per day with single to double digits death.

3. Definitely we are at a high infection stage far from endemic.

1. I can be very sure that if we loosen restrictions now, our infection number will shoot up to 5,000 infection cases a day.

Hospitalisation number will go up and death will go up.

2. If we don't see a downward trajectory in infection number, hospital number and death soon - we should not think of loosening any restrictions any time soon.

Straits Times (OCT 20, 2021) Singapore will extend its Covid-19 restrictions until Nov 21, as the country’s healthcare system is at risk of being overwhelmed.

168.I post in REACH (20Oct2021) Singapore has the 2nd lowest death among the list compile. Thanks to our government middle path approach. Proper balance of restrictions measures to safeguard public health safety and maintaining our livelihood through targeted reopening - make Singapore a safe place living with covid and yet can let our Economy function.

(21Oct2021) a. Our Government adopt the "Middle Path" approach - a fine balance to safeguard both the public lives and livelihood - and hold this fine balance until this Delta wave do a downward trajectory from 4 figures infection number - to a low infection number, low and manageable hospitalisation number, oxygen support, ICUs and mininmal or zero death

CNA (23Oct2021) “We are trying very hard to take a middle-ground approach, not to go into either extreme or staying put where we are, nor opening up too liberally and risking a surge of cases that can overwhelm our healthcare system,” he said. 

The Government assesses these risks with experts and advisers, Mr Lawrence Wong added.

Straits Times (23Oct2021) Mr Ong said Singapore is taking a middle path between the extremes.

"Our approach is unique in the world. Most countries take either of the following two approaches - eradication or living with Covid. We did both.

"A few months ago, after we vaccinated the large majority of our population, we moved to a living-with-Covid approach, but do it progressively step by step, not with a big bang," said Mr Ong.

169.(21Oct2021) a. Our Government adopt the "Middle Path" approach - a fine balance to safeguard both the public lives and livelihood - and hold this fine balance until this Delta wave do a downward trajectory from 4 figures infection number - to a low infection number, low and manageable hospitalisation number, oxygen support, ICUs and mininmal or zero death. This is because no rocket can shoot up and up without coming down - as its fuel one day will get burn out. Similarly, no virus pandemic will keep raging infinitely and one day it will burn itself out. This must be a pre-requisite condition - whereby the current Delta wave reach its peak, do a downward slide and stabilise at a low base and plateau - before hospitals can resume normalcy and patients with other medical conditions can get treatment like the pre-pandemic state.

CNA (23Oct2021) As restrictions are eased and activities resume, more people will also be infected with COVID-19 and then recover from it, he added.

“And in that process, it adds further immunity to our population. So the resistance against the virus increases progressively, at some point, infection numbers will not go up anymore.

“It plateaus and then it starts to come down. And that is why we say no transmission wave will last forever because it is against nature,” Mr Ong said. 

170.I post in REACH (20Oct2021)

2. During this heightened period where Delta run amok - the prudent measures are to :-

a. Tighten restriction measures - which we have already done and should hold on to it until it do a downward trajectory.

b. Ramp up vaccination rate among the unvaccinated.

c. Give booster shot to those where anti-bodies wane.

CNA (23Oct2021) Vaccination and booster programmes will be key in building up Singapore’s resistance to the virus, said Mr Ong. 

171.I post in REACH (5Nov2021) 

1. The company must view the seniors as valuable assets to the company based on his or her contribution - without  discriminating their age.

2. Their immediate supervisor who are younger than them - don't feel threaten by their knowledge and contribution - have to treat them fairly.

3. These are some unwritten underlying tension - that have been going on that make seniors to continue working difficult.

4. Company leadership play an important role - in setting the climate right in their company to ensure that managers and supervisors treat seniors fairly and periodically enforce this value.

5. Hence government interaction with company   leadership - to encourage and promote such values as their corporate culture become more and more important.

2. But most important thing is the mindset change of corporate leadership, culture and the managers/supervisors - that will have the ground impact on whether senior continuous employment face any difficulties.

3. Hence government, union and corporate tripartite working together to develop a strong corporate culture starting from the corporate leadership become all the more important.

CNA (6Nov2021) So what can companies do? Ms Linda Teo, country manager of ManpowerGroup said that on a company-level, changing mindsets towards hiring of mature employees needs to start from the top. 

If the company’s top leaders have entrenched ageist mindsets, this sentiment will pass on to the rest of the company.

172. SK in NEA REACH video conferencing (10Jul2021) propose using carbon credits to distribute plastic bags and thus limiting plastic bag to bag waste refuse at home without wastage in addition for carrier of groceries in supermarket.

CNA news (14Nov2021) Negotiators closed a deal setting rules for carbon markets at the United Nations COP26 climate talks on Saturday (Nov 13), potentially unlocking trillions of dollars for protecting forests, building renewable energy facilities and other projects to combat climate change. (SK)

173.I post in REACH (17No2021) [1:49 pm] 

1. Very happy that hawker centre and coffeeshops allow 5 same household to dine in.

2. Only concern how does hawker centre and coffeeshops check that the 5 are of the same household especially coffeeshops as there are too many and too porous.

3. Some coffeeshops say don't want to take the risk - because if customers caught not from the same household - coffeeshops need to close for 10 days because of the breach - and they will suffer greater loss.

CNA news (17No2021) [3:08 pm] Some coffee shop operators have lamented the logistical challenges in ensuring groups of up to five who dine in come from the same household.

174.I post in REACH (25Oct2021) 

2. The main reason is, we have not achieve Superhuman Immunity state - even though with high double dose vaccination.We are in fact a "Covid-Naive" state.

Superhuman Immunity are acquired by 2 ways :-

a. Superhuman Immunity = Vaccinated Immunity + Booster Immunity

(Similar to Hepatitis B = 2 jab + 1 jab booster)

--- in other words, we have not completed the full course of vaccination (as perceived by the vaccine vendors - whereby 2 jab vaccination is only good for original covid but not the Delta covid.

--- Only 2 jabs + 3rd booster shot is considered commpleted full course vaccination.

Note:- This is experience by Israel - who prescribed 3rd booster to whole population and achieve a very positive result.

The message from Israel is clear: Covid booster shots should be standard - like Hepatitis B - 2 shots + 1 booster shot. Israel demonstrate to the World that its 3 vaccination shot have defeated the Delta wave.

CNA news (20Nov2021) There is an emerging view among the global clinical and scientific communities that COVID-19 vaccination against the Delta variant is “really a three-dose vaccine, like (for) Hepatitis B”, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung at a COVID-19 multi-ministry task force press conference on Saturday.

175. I post in REACH [26/11/2021] 

I think government will be watching the new strain carefully and adjust the measures up and down.

CNA news (28Nov2021) Singapore is tracking the emerging Omicron COVID-19 variant 'very closely', and could be forced to take a few steps back again before taking more steps forward, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (Nov 28).

176. I post in REACH [26/11/2021] 

1. Singapore government pre-emptive move to close borders with those few countries with the new strain is an appropriate move.

2. This strain display a transmissible dominant strain (similar to Delta if not worst) - as seen how fast it spread among the few countries.

3. While we wait for WHO  emergency meetings as well as more data emerging from this new strains.

4. Delta variants experience that we have learn from - certainly merit our pre-emptive move on this new strain - while we can loosen or tighten further as we have more information on this strain.

CNA News (30Nov2021) Therefore, the country is making several "pre-emptive moves" to buy time while it finds out more about the variant, said co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force Gan Kim Yong.

177.I post in REACH [01/12/2021] I always believe in Superhuman Immunity - the 2 jabs + 1 booster - which is an antidote to the coronavirus core.

CNA news (14 Dec 2021) Singapore to press on 'more urgently' with COVID-19 vaccine booster shots amid Omicron variant concerns.

178.I post in REACH [11:21 am, 24/01/2022] 

1. Daily infection rate see a very sharp U-shape upturn.

2. Weekly infection growth similarly demonstrate a very sharp U-shape upturn.

3. Hospitals number also see a more gradual U-shape curve forming.

4. To a lesser extent, serious illness, oxygen support and ICU a slight uptick.

5. Only death rate remain more stable.

Straits Times (24/01/2022 6.35 pm) Three areas to watch as Singapore battles Omicron: Ong Ye Kung. These are: the country's intensive care unit (ICU) capacity, hospitalisation rates and the impact of the highly infectious variant on the country's manpower resources.

Over the weekend, ICU numbers fell slightly from 13 to nine patients, the minister said. Although a couple of Omicron patients require intensive care, none needed to be intubated.

On hospitalisation, Mr Ong reiterated that about 1.3 per cent of Omicron cases are hospitalised, with 0.3 per cent requiring oxygen supplementation.

And those who do require additional oxygen generally do not need it for long, with the maximum so far being five days.

"The numbers have been creeping up - both the absolute numbers as well as the percentages," Mr Ong said. "Every 0.1 per cent occupies a lot more beds, as we all know."

Lastly, there is the potential impact on manpower.

179. SK CONTRIBUTION AND I POST IN REACH [21/01/2022, 10.04AM] AND ONESERVICE APPS [20/01/2022] 

 

STRAITS TIMES (JAN 21, 2022, 5:25 PM)

ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO BE ON ANTI-SMS SPOOFING REGISTRY AFTER SPATE OF SCAMS. (SK)

180.I post in REACH [12:05 pm, 26/01/2022]: 

The onslaught of Omicron wave is coming.

Expecting this sharp U-shape upturn will go on for another 2 weeks.

1. Suggest business continuity plan for individual business to be activated - WFH and WFO.

2. School continuity plan required in case large clusters form in school.

3. Ramp up ART test for working staff.

4. Ramp up vaccination effort for unvaccinated, partially vaccinated and booster shots.

CNA news (04 Feb 2022 03:57PM)

Singapore should be prepared for “surges in infections” due to the higher transmissibility of the Omicron variant, noted the advisory, adding that staff absences due to COVID-19 infections can “significantly disrupt business operations”.

“The multi-ministry task force has thus called on employers, in particular those providing essential services, to prepare and be ready to implement their business continuity plans, adhere strictly to safe management measures and encourage employees to test themselves regularly, so as to dampen transmission and minimise business disruptions.”

The advisory laid out measures that employers may wish to consider when reviewing their business continuity plans.

181.I post in REACH Sun, Feb 20 at 2:54 PM, [10:05 am, 21/02/2022]: 

ii. But other form of wealth tax eg. the Inheritance tax, tax on capital investment such as interest income, dividend, insurance income etc ---- in which the wealthy rely on using their passive income to accumulate their wealth --- will turn off the wealthy to put their money overseas and lead to capital outflow away from our Economy.

Because this will be seen as a "Win-Lose" outcome for the wealthy.

In addition, the wealthy can invest their passive income in overseas Countries that do not levy such taxes - and hence make Singapore less competitive as a financial hub.

Important to note that, recently many wealthy setup home-office in Singapore and transfer big funds into Singapore to help them to accumulate wealth - and as a result benefit Singapore greatly with S$4.7 trillion (US$3.5 trillion) assets under management.

We may trigger the outflow of these assets if we levy the above wealth tax - as such passive income can be invested overseas without such wealth tax.

Our past experience reveals that we collected a meagre sum $153.7 million of estate tax in 2007, the year before it was abolished.

Clearly the wealthy have moved their funds elsewhere - and I can't see how this will help to expand our financial hub and grow our financial sector when wealthy park and invest their passive funds elsewhere - while we collect a meagre sum of estate duty and other passive income wealth tax.

CNBC PUBLISHED MON, FEB 21 2022 2:33 AM EST 

Singapore, a wealth management hub, is looking at a broad range of wealth taxes "very closely," Minister Lawrence Wong said. They include taxes on capital gains, dividends and a net wealth tax on individuals.

"But the challenge with these sorts of wealth taxes is that wealth and financial flows are highly mobile. And if we were to move but other jurisdictions do not have similar taxes, it is very easy for wealth to move away from Singapore to another location," Wong told CNBC's Martin Soong.

CNA news (23 Feb 2022 06:02AM)    In his Budget speech, Mr Wong had announced that Singapore would raise the personal income tax rate for top-tier earners, alongside adjustments to property taxes and an additional levy on luxury cars.

But Mr Wong said on Tuesday that "there is a limit" to this, in response to a question by host Diana Ser on whether taxing the wealthy could backfire and make them leave Singapore.

"I think with the moves that we have made, we should be all right because we have assessed it very carefully and we have calibrated the measures," Mr Wong said.

"If we start to have the attitude that most of the tax burden or everything can be borne by the top one per cent or the top five per cent, I think they will feel it grossly unfair and very soon you won't have the rich to tax in Singapore."

Calibrating these measures and finding a balance is necessary, he said.

"That's why I mentioned that when we talk about a progressive system, it doesn't mean that the tax burden is borne only by a small group of people. It means that everyone contributes their fair share, but those with greater means contribute more."                     

182. I post in REACH [12:54 pm, 16/02/2022]:

Sometimes it may seem like from Russia.

But it may not be - depending on the sophistication of the attack.

To do a scam successfully, the hacker must know the local context very well - before Singaporean can be trick successfully.

It could be a local hacker or an expatriate in Singapore, with good knowledge of the local context, doing the scam.

Eg. It will hack a poorly protected client or server in Russia.

Setup a SSH or VPN connection to encrypt and provide a secure tunnel that hide its identity. After hacking, remove all audit trail, security logs and access logs.

Then from the comprised Russia server or client to phish a Singapore user.

When the police check, it will only trace that the hacking come from Russia.

Thus can't tell whether the hackers originate from local or Russia.

Strait Times PUBLISHED FEB 20, 2022, 10:18 PM SGT 13 people arrested over OCBC phishing scams; 7 have been charged in Singapore.

183.I post in REACH Sun, Feb 20 at 2:54 PM, [10:05 am, 21/02/2022]: 

Topic 2 -  Society and Community | 社会与社区

1. a. With runaway supply side inflation (trigger by covid pandemic) - such as global manufacturing lockdown, labour lockdown, global supply chain disruption, energy price spike due to oil drilling, production disruption, global climate, flood, drought that disrupt crop production etc.

b. With demand side inflation - due to impending GST hike, and food stalls, business raising their prices for food, goods and services that price in both supply side and demand side inflation :-

i. Government provision of Budget 2022 $6 billion Assurance fund - can help to cushion the price hike or inflation for a few years.

ii. However the concern is, what will happen after that especially for :-

a. retirees (without income) - that will deplete their savings as prices that have go up will not come down - even though the impact of global supply side inflation may subside after pandemic taper off. Eg. are food prices.

b.low income and middle income group - whereby salary increment may not be able to catch up with the inflation.

CNA news (23 Feb 2022 06:02AM) "We are already doing everything we can, putting in place comprehensive help to support families, including those in the middle income," replied Minister Lawrence Wong.

This includes the S$560m Household Support Package, GST vouchers and enhanced Assurance Package, he said, noting that these measures together represent a "considerable amount of help", including for utility bills.

"The question is what happens beyond this year or next year when carbon prices were to rise. We understand those concerns too. In fact, the rise in carbon prices, as I explained in the Budget, will filter down to electricity price, but not by a very much amount," Mr Wong said.

"I mean, we anticipated that. But when that time happens, we will look at additional utility vouchers to help households cope with the increase in their utility bills due to the rise in carbon tax."

184. I post in REACH Sun, Feb 20 at 2:54 PM, [10:05 am, 21/02/2022]: 

Topic 1 - Economy and Workforce | 经济与劳动力

1. Disruptive tech will make current business obsolete and irrelevant. At the same time, it will continuously disrupt and make the the skillsets of our workforce irrelevant.

2. How will the Government and Business "institutionalise" training and learning for our adult workforce to keep their skillset relevant to the Business and continue to earn income to sustain themselves and their family members. (This is our workforce constant worry - to ensure that they have relevant skills to the business and can keep themselves employed until retirement).

3. How to ensure our business continue to stay ahead of the disruptive tech, reform or restructure themselves to stay relevant, survive and thrive - make profit and provide employment to our workforce.

Speech by Minister Chan Chun Sing at STL-SCEU Learning Festival at Toll City on 22 February 2022, 9:20am

Published Date: 22 February 2022 02:50 PM I see our frontier companies as part of our wider education and training ecosystem. The polytechnics, ITE and the Autonomous Universities cannot do this alone. We need the companies' partnership to make sure that we have cutting edge training in our curriculum, and enable adult learners to keep learning.

The fifth prong is we need to improve our andragogy and scale up our abilities to use new training approaches suited for adult learners. This is so that everyone not only has the skills that they need for their current job, but also extra skills that will them to transit to the next job that they might do.

I spoke today on five key points:

Importance of career guidance, so that students discover their strengths and interests

Currency of the curriculum, to shorten the lead time for emerging skills to find their way to students and internships and industry exposure, as the workplace is an extension of the classroom

Continuous learning through work

IHLs as partners in workplace learning and transformation

Making learning accessible for adult learners

There is a larger purpose behind all that we are doing. The ultimate goal of what we want to see in our continuous learning journey, is not just economic gains, but personal growth that gives our people a sense of accomplishment, fulfilment, and contribution.

185. SK post in REACH [5:47 pm, 02/03/2022] -

My close friend comments:-

1. Then there will be no restraints on healthcare demands.

2. Better to go on prevention better than cure approach. Health promotion board has to do more.

3. Greater automony for pharmacists to treat mild conditions. 

One healthcare computerised system to enter info so that records are kept.

CNA news (11 Mar 2022 07:08PM) 'Preventive health is the cheapest medicine'. GPs welcome move to get people to enrol with family doctor (SK)

186. SK post in REACH [1:37 pm, 28/07/2021]: 

My close friend comments:-

Babies are not born with equal talents.

While I personally belief that the role of parents is to guide them along a path which we parents believe in, we should not deprive them the joy of learning. 

School grades are not the only measure of learning. 

When the system sucked up all their time and they don't derive joy from their studies that's where I see children becoming quiet, dull, angry etc. 

When all frustrations fused together to become mental problems, and parents, schools and MOE step in to support, I think it's late, if not too late.

How to make learning joyous and meaningful to children to me should be a key objective. 

It's very difficult because this is where every child is different.

CNA youtube Preserving joy of learning key to ensure students prepared to face future challenges: Chan Chun Sing 1,166 views Mar 10, 2022.

187. SK post in REACH [6:20 pm, 10/04/2020]:

My close friend contribution :-

China's efforts to turnaround their covid situation is highly commendable. One thing that it did differently was the combined use of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine across the country. It has statistics to support the combined formulation is more effective in treat ing mild cases, reducing mild cases from developing into more serious cases etc.

Question : Has singapore gov consider China's treatment approach?

There was a survey circulating around to gather Singaporeans willingness on the use of tcm for covid 19. Question: is moh aware of this?

While I personally have benefited from tcm and am open to the use of tcm for treatment of covid, I have concerns if this initiative is taken without a holistic approach. If we have covid infected persons separately seeking tcm treatments, will we be missing out on cases and allow them to move around within the community and spread? Hope gov can address or embrace  this in its containment strategy.

AsiaOne APRIL 04, 2022 PUBLISHED AT 10:59 AM

WHO panel sees potential benefits of traditional Chinese medicine in Covid-19 treatment (SK).

188. I post to SK (7Apr2022, 10.46pm) and in REACH [2:04pm, 8/04/2020]:

Some issues outside this topic - but important enough to bring it up:-

With airlines now back to flying, airlines all over the world should ensure its airworthiness.

Straits Times [2:04pm, 8/04/2020]:National aviation safety plan to tackle risks that may have arisen from pandemic.

189. SK post in REACH [1:37 pm, 28/07/2021]: 

My close friend comments:-

1. Then there will be no restraints on healthcare demands.

2. Better to go on prevention better than cure approach. Health promotion board has to do more.

3. Greater automony for pharmacists to treat mild conditions. 

One healthcare computerised system to enter info so that records are kept.

REACH (11Apr2022) Topic :- What are your views on the Government’s shift from the traditional focus on illness-based hospital care to patient-centred preventive care? How can we encourage others to adopt a healthier lifestyle as a form of preventive care?

190. I post in REACH [1:59 pm, 27/05/2022]:

c. Sell excess chicken to overseas market like Singapore at a good price - as Singapore $ is stronger and can cushion the higher chicken price in Malaysia - and hence earning a profit and cushion against higher production cost in Malaysia.

In fact, Malaysia chicken suppliers should ramp up more chicken stock to sell to Singapore - because the more chicken it can sell to Singapore, the higher profit they will get to sustain their business.

Export ban is a wrong move in the opposite direction - that will worsen their woes rather than resolving their problem.

d. Lift the price control of chicken price by allowing chicken suppliers to sell at cost plus a small profit - to ensure chicken suppliers raise their chicken output. As supply grows, exceeding demand - chicken prices will make correction by itself without reaping the worst effect of price control - that is bad in economic term - by infringing the concept of market demand and supply.

e. Use the Government funds set aside for subsidy - to give as a relief vouchers to Malaysia household to cushion the higher price by lifting the price control - without artificially skewing the chicken market. In so doing, Malaysia economy will not be damage by the export ban.

[2:47 pm, 27/05/2022] +RH: Eh,  Danny,  u wanna hop over & act as advisor to the M'sian monetary authority or their Finance Minister? 

Looks like their Finance minister has not got good financial or economic advisors,  Huh?  

Lol....  🤣🤣🤣

[2:47 pm, 27/05/2022] +RH: It wud be just a matter of time b4 they realise the folly of their ways. 

By then,  depending on when,  it may be too little too late. 

Hope they dun end up like Sri Lanka.!

[2:49 pm, 27/05/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Hahaha.

Just post the comments in an open blog and they will see.

Hopefully they reverse their export ban - and will be good for everyone.

Straits Times (2Jun2022)

Malaysia to end price caps for chicken by July, will give cash aid to poor instead.

Malaysia will end price controls for chicken and eggs by July and leave their prices to be determined by market forces, a move that is expected to boost supply and likely lead to its export ban on poultry being lifted.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi told The Straits Times on Thursday (June 2) that this measure was in line with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's announcement that chicken subsidies would be redirected from farmers to the public, especially lower-income households representing the country's bottom 40 per cent of earners.

191. I post in REACH [3:01 pm, 30/05/2022] :

i. We need to put more resources to produce :-

- cell culture, tissue re-engineering meat - by extracting healthy cells from chicken, duck, fish, prawns, albalone, squid, beef, mutton, pork etc - and then we culture and grow them into edible meat.

Then we will have steak, chicken chop, mutton chop, pork chop, seafood to eat ---- in the event that if rice, wheat etc are ban --- to survive --- we won't go hungry.

These type of meat substitute are similar to real meats - except it need not need to rely on animal feed to grow, it is healthy as bad fat are removed, and cells can grow and multiplied.

There will be no risk of short supply in such meat - due to poor harvest in crops for animal feeds, animal diseases that need to cull animals, setting aside lands to let animal graze lands or lands to grow animal feeds.

We can not only produce sufficient supply for local population, but can also mass produce for export market - and grow our GDP.

Most important - we ensure our meat self sufficiency - oblivious of meat shortage due to weather, diseases or war or overfishing.

- 3D printed meat, plant-based meat - which mimic the real meat except they are make

[3:23 pm, 30/05/2022] : 

https://cellbasedtech.com/lab-grown-meat 

Cell can grow and multiply to form meat. of plants - which also can be mass produce.

[3:36 pm, 30/05/2022] : 

Alternatively there are insect based protein foods.

But still killing lives - unlike cell culture meat and plant based meat that doesn't kill lives.

Straits Times (10 Jun 2022)

Cell-cultured chicken is meat from chicken cells grown in a bioreactor - similar to the vats used in brewing beer - thus doing away with having to slaughter actual chickens.

Once operational in the first quarter of next year, the $61 million Bedok plant will house a 6,000-litre bioreactor - the largest one in the cultivated meat industry to date - which will produce tens of thousands of kilograms of the novel chicken each year.

Research and development in such novel foods and alternative proteins have been gaining traction in Singapore in recent years as the Republic boosts its food security and produces food sustainably.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, who was at the ground-breaking event, said: "With technological advancements and growing consumer demand for sustainable foods, alternative proteins have the potential to supplement Singapore's agricultural productivity and contribute meaningfully to our 30 by 30 goal."

CNA (10 Jun 2022 04:36PM)

While the company's cultivated chicken was approved by Singapore for sale in 2020 and has been available in limited quantities, this is the first step towards commercial production.

It is now seeking regulatory approval to sell its meat in the United States and in Qatar, said Mr Tetrick. It is also looking to launch its cultivated meat product in China.

“We view Singapore as vital in our plans to build this new approach to making meat. We’ll launch new products here, distribute to other countries in Asia from here and learn from consumers here who have proven themselves to be at the cutting edge of what’s next,” said Mr Tetrick.

192. I post in REACH [2:16 pm, 20/06/2022]:

1. I will cite an examples how coffeshop prices can be tame.

2. My areas have 6 big coffeshops and many more smaller F&B shops - though there are no hawker center around.

3. The competitive landscapes help to prevent coffeshop owners from buying coffeeshop at exobitant prices - because stall owners cannot afford to pay high rent prices - and thus have to charge high food prices to consumers.

4. With so many competitors, coffeshop owners are careful not charge too high a rental so that stall owners can pay affordable rent and charge affordable food prices.

6. So for some newer estates or estate that have only 1 or 2 coffeeshops - without a competitive landscape - high coffeeshop rental and higher food price will hit the consumers.

Then hawker centre will be a price stabiliser. Else Government may have to find places to gazette more coffeeshops in that estate to tame the rent and hence the food prices.

Zaobao (21/06/2022),发布 / 2022年6月21日 12:28 PM

黄循财：确保组屋区有小贩中心和社企咖啡店 与天价咖啡店竞争

文 / 陈可扬

(Lawrence Wong: Ensure that there are hawker centers and social enterprise coffee shops in HDB areas to compete with sky-high coffee shops).

193. I post in REACH [2:49 pm, 20/06/2022]:

c. By keep targeting and milking these wealthy individual by imposing more and more wealth tax as suggested by the oppositons - will be a sure way to trigger a capital outflow - that we can ill afford.

5. Increasing GST is not a popular tax policy because it affect the entire strata of the population - but it is a sound and necessary evil - with the backdrop of running inflation.

a. The tax revenue is contributed by every population that spends - hence it is a shared responsibility to contribute to our National Finance - needed to keep our Country, Economy and Social Spendings running.

A fair tax instrument.

b. It is not unduly putting the entire burden on one small group of individual - just because they are rich.

The rich has already been paying a large share of the tax such as :-

And the most important consideration is that, this wealthy individual can transfer their wealth to other tax friendly Countries such as Australia with no inheritance tax or other hubs that have low wealth tax.

6. A better strategy is to continue with the GST tax increase as planned for 2003 and 2004 - but give higher GST tax rebate to lower, and middle income family and individuals.

7. This will ensure our diversify broadbase tax structure remain intact --- to ensure our fiscal policy are prudent, continue to finance our Country, Economy, Social spending wisely and accumulate our Sovereign Wealth - and ensure our National Finance - are intact - to prevent being depleted away by wrong financial populist policy.uals - if recession strike or inflation go too high up.

Straits Times (21Jun2022)

GST increase to proceed as planned to fund rising spending on seniors, healthcare: Lawrence Wong

Singapore cannot afford to slow down, and that includes ensuring that it has a strong and sustainable fiscal position going forward.

"That's why we have to continue with our economic reforms while doing whatever we can to help the Singaporeans who are impacted by cost of living issues, especially the lower-income and more vulnerable groups."

They will receive an additional goods and services tax (GST) Voucher - Cash Special Payment of up to $300 to be given out in August, which is on top of the regular GST Voucher - Cash of up to $400 that had earlier been announced.

This will benefit about 1.5 million lower-income to middle-income workers, as well as retirees without income.

194. I post in SCMP and in REACH (13Jun2022)

Notably, US will intensify playing of Taiwan against China (in which China is most paranoid with). Unless China can come to term and not let Taiwan issue - make China mad and start a war ---- then conflict within Asia Pacific region will be greatly reduced.

Dispute in South China Sea, East China Sea, China-India border --- is not a big issue that China is willing to wage war. China by nature treasure peace and wealth over war and conflict - except Taiwan in which China view as its historical thorn in the flest and must reunified. If China can overcome such intense desire over Taiwan - by playing long, playing calm and cool - to win over Taiwan with wits and wisdom --- then unlikely US can provoke China to start a war. Hence,  China -- need to develop a high Emotional Resilience - to wait out for a better outcome to reunify Taiwan and not let itself be provoke into a must fight war ---- and unravel the peace and prosperity that Asia Pacific has thrive on for more than 5 decades/ half a century.

After all, Taiwan is only an island - smaller than many of China provinces - and many China provinces produce higher GDP than Taiwan. So China won't go hungry without Taiwan. The only crux that make Taiwan so important for China - is because PLA fought a civil war with KMT army - due to ideology and the right to govern.

If China is able to play long, keep its cool, use creative response to Taiwan independence provocation or US provocation - without the need to be angry, mad and threat to invade --- then China can reunify Taiwan in the long run without the need to commit a troop or fire a shot. Use wisdom and wit to win a war - not with troops and bullets.

US can provoke China, because China response to provocation - and response in a predictable ways. If China play cool, play long, with wits and wisdom - instead of reacting in a predictable way - than US can't provoke China and Countries around China won't feel China as hostile. Suntze Art of War - is to make your enemy angry - and then your enemy will respond with a predictable way - when you can exploit to win the war. China is the originator of Suntze Art of War - but yet US have deploy this strategy plus strategy of encirclement by forming allies and blocs against China so effectively.

Wonder why China fall into it?

That is each time China get mad when US provoke by bringing up Taiwan issue - US will continue to do it - so as to get China to act rashly - and then all its wealth, influence, reputation and relationship with the World fall into disrepute - when China launch a war ---- result China successfully contained and fall far behind US.  Because China is willing to be "led by the nose".

Yahoo Fri, June 17, 2022, 11:59 AM

Control without invasion: Other actions China could take against Taiwan.

Here are some of the options Beijing could deploy:

- Annexation of outlying islands 

- Customs quarantine

- Blockade

- Bombing campaign 

195. I post in REACH [0:27 pm, 27/06/2022]: 

SFA will be checking and certifying chicken farm before we import from the certified farm.

Else will be a health risk to us.

That's why need some time for SFA officers to go around Indonesia farms to certify the chicken farm before they can export their live chicken to us.

Also need to solve the logistics and transportation problem - to ensure the chicken is still alive and healthy when they reach Singapore.

CNA News (30 Jun 2022 04:27PM)

SFA said a Singapore team recently visited Indonesia to audit its food safety and animal health controls.

The team visited various facilities such as farms, quarantine stations and laboratories to better understand the regulatory systems in place.

"Chickens can only be imported from sources accredited by SFA to ensure that sources have the required systems, processes and capabilities to supply chicken that can meet our food safety and animal health standards to Singapore," said the agency.

It added that individual establishments and farms would also need to be evaluated and approved, with detailed documentary evaluations and on-site audits for verification.

"The consignments would also be subjected to SFA’s inspection, sampling and testing upon import. This ensures the continuity of SFA’s source diversification strategy without compromising food safety," said the agency.

196. I post in REACH [1:36 pm, 17/06/2022]:

4. Hence in the short and medium term - low growth and recession is a possibility.

We should try to shoot to avert recession and aim for lower growth - if the World recession hit - to protect both business and jobs.

I post in REACH [2:08 pm, 20/06/2022]: 

Hence if we can avert a recession and secure a slow growth - it will be a bonus for us.

If we can sustain a sustainable growth - then it is a feather on our cap.

Straits Times PUBLISHED JUL 4, 2022, 2:12 PM SGT

S'pore does not expect recession or stagflation next year but significant risks remain: Alvin Tan.

197. SK post in REACH [2:13 pm, 24/06/2022]: 

My close friend comments:-

I think sg fundamental models still there and correct but needs some checks and controls. 

The current inflation is driven by shortages (whether due to climate change, supply chain fractures, raw material sanctions) are largely outside of sg control. 

But price hikes due to rental jump to me exploitation of situation.

For humble Singaporeans who need to get by, we can turn to market stalls, hdb shops etc.

I don't know how much of these spaces rental can still be controlled by gov. 

Selling coffee shop at a dizzily high price of $40M just forcing stall holders to pass their rental costs to lay person who are already coping with other rising costs.

Straits Times PUBLISHED JUL 5, 2022, 11:24 PM SGT:

HDB will review policies for coffee shop food affordability if necessary: Desmond Lee

198. I post in REACH [4:41 pm, 22/07/2022]: 

1. To be honest, myself, my brother and sister come from the so call "elitist" schools - RI and RGS.

2. But all our kids, we put them in neighbourhood schools.

3. Incidentally, we all end up in local Universities - supposedly to be the elite Uni.

4. Whether we are in "elite" which my siblings and myself don't feel we are or our kids in neighbouring schools don't feel they are lesser off - because they graduate in the same local Universities.

5. Ultimately it is how we interact with people and accord the mutual respect with people around us - regardless of education level, job status, income level or household types.

Straits Times 23Jul2022:

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat shared three suggestions with Raffles Institution (RI) students on Saturday (July 23) on what makes a good school to help better prepare them for an increasingly challenging world.

He told students not to get pigeonholed by their grades or use their grades as their primary measure of success. "In the workplace, one is assessed based on how you perform, and not what your academic grades were. RI has put in place a diversity, inclusivity, and community engagement, or Dice, framework, to step up your values-driven education. Much of this holistic learning takes place outside the classroom," he said.

Second, Mr Heng said that diversity must be at the core of what a "good" RI experience is.

Through the years, RI has produced many generations of thinkers, leaders and pioneers who contributed to building Singapore.

Sounds like directly responding to our REACH posting track ---- on elite schools - and I mention RI and RGS.

Wow.................          

199. I post in REACH [12:18 pm, 25/07/2022]: 

1. Since vaccination are in short supply, vaccination against monkeypox should be focused on this group of people - rather than adopting mass vaccination for the whole Singapore population.

CNA news 25 Jul 2022 05:11PM (Updated: 25 Jul 2022 06:02PM)

Monkeypox: MOH reaching out to ‘at-risk population’, including those engaging in high-risk sexual activities.

The Ministry of Health says it is reaching out to at-risk groups through healthcare and community partners as part of efforts to reduce the spread of monkeypox.

200. I post in REACH [2:07 pm, 27/07/2022]: 

6. As for whether should 377A be repealed, I will like to suggest the following :-

a. Until the Government provide more clarity and guarantee the Man-Woman marriage and union - through the enacting of laws and policies to protect Man-Woman marriage - before we start to consider the next step.

CNA news 30 Jul 2022 06:30PM (Updated: 30 Jul 2022 07:34PM)

Views on 377A: Government looking at how to safeguard current legal position on marriage, says Shanmugam.

The Singapore Government is looking at how it can safeguard the current legal position on marriage against challenges in the courts, while it considers the next steps for Section 377A of the Penal Code, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Saturday (Jul 30).

201.I post in REACH [1:44 pm, 27/07/2022]: 

3. Hence the townhall discussion on ensuring and guarantee Man-Woman marriage and union to be enshrined in our Constitution the order of Nature - do carry a very strong valid point for the Government consideration.

4. Ultimately, Singapore is a small country with a small population - about 5.65 million people - and our birth rate are declining year after year below replacement rate to carry and run our Economy and the Country - such as producing workforce, National Service to protect our Nation, to look after aging parents etc.

[2:07 pm, 27/07/2022]: 

6. As for whether should 377A be repealed, I will like to suggest the following :-

a. Until the Government provide more clarity and guarantee the Man-Woman marriage and union - through the enacting of laws and policies to protect Man-Woman marriage - before we start to consider the next step.

Hence protecting the traditional Man-Woman marriage to produce offsprings - must be encourage and never be compromised - in considering the Order of Nature, raising a healthy family of Grand Parents, Parents, Children and Grand Children, to contribute as Workforce, National Service to protect our Nation, managing our Economy and run our Country.

CNA news 21 Aug 2022 09:01PM (Updated: 21 Aug 2022 09:08PM)

Singapore will repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 21), revoking a colonial-era law that criminalises sex between men.

The Government will also amend the Constitution to protect the definition of marriage – currently recognised by law as taking place between one man and one woman – from being challenged constitutionally in the courts, Mr Lee said.

The Government has no intention of changing the definition of marriage or national policies on public housing, education, adoption rules, advertising standards and film classification, he said, signalling that it will maintain “prevailing norms and values” of Singapore society.

202. I post in REACH [1:26 pm, 10/08/2022]:

Greater geopolitical tension ahead - stronger Armed Forces and Home Team

1. Geopolitical tension will worsen in the next coming decade and beyond - it will not be better off.

3. As tension and strain among Countries will rise and becoming more acute - the phenomenon of 小三灾 (the 3 minor catastrophe) - that will have adverse implication on humanity ---- a strong Armed Forces and Home Team - must be our never shaking foundation - to safeguard our Homeland and ensure our survival.

4. Hence we must never has the notion to tamper and soften our commitment to National Service and Reservist.

We must ensure our National Servicemen are well trained and able to execute complex combat mission and exploit cutting edge military technologies to protect our Country.

The 1st and 2nd segment of military display and execution other than just parade - demonstrate that every facet of our Armed Forces - whether Air, Sea, Land, Anti-terroism, Home Team --- show that we have been exploiting cutting edge military technologies - whether we develop ourselves through R&D, locally produced or acquired from foreign Countries --- with precision, speed and effectiveness.

This demonstrate how well trained our Armed Forces and Home Team are --- and we must keep up our professional standard -- and ensure the years ahead --- that will be fraught with danger --- our Armed Forces and Home Team will make our Country safe.

NDR2022 21Aug2022, REACH 22Aug2022 - PM Lee :-

📌 The relationship between the US and China is worsening and Singaporeans should expect more geopolitical contestation in the Asia-Pacific

📌 There is also a need to take national service seriously, and keep the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team strong and credible

203. I post in REACH [6:30 pm, 05/09/2022]: 

b. With many Countries liberalising drugs and getting drug legalised for medical and recreational drugs --- there is a real danger that business will lace food, tibidts and drinks with drugs - and tourists like us may unknowingly consume the drugs while taking tibidts, foods and drings lace with drugs.

Hence, I urge the Government to relook at how to tackle such drug consumption problem - whereby Singaporeans and residents are against drug consumption - but fall into the trap unknowingly through laced food, tibidts and drinks.

If urine test or hair test - detected Singaporeans and residents have drug consumption - a thorough and foolproof lie detectors or interrogation technique - need to ascertain the drug consumers are indeed fool by laced food or drinks - and not knowingly consume drugs for addiction or self gratification.

Under this categories, help should be granted to ensure the person is not addicted and monitor to ensure addiction will not kicks in.

Punishment or penalty should be waived for this category of people.

Straits Times PUBLISHED SEP 12, 2022, 9:55 PM SGT

Unknowingly consuming drugs overseas usually not an offence: Shanmugam.

Thailand became the first Asian country to decriminalise cannabis on June 9.

It is now commonly sold and found in many products and foods there, including tom yum soup, which is popular with many Singaporeans.

Mr Shanmugam had previously said that the legalisation of the drug there has presented challenges for Singapore and its drug-free stance.

On Monday, he said CNB has been partnering with various stakeholders, such as educational institutions and national service institutions, to create awareness of the harms of cannabis among students and full-time national servicemen through preventive drug education programmes such as talks, skits and exhibitions, videos and informational toolkits.

"Further, CNB is working towards engaging travellers at physical touch points, such as the checkpoints, to caution them against the purchase of such items overseas," he said.

"We urge persons travelling to countries where food, beverage and other products containing controlled drugs may be sold, to be careful and check if a product contains controlled drugs. If in doubt, do not purchase or consume the product."

204. I post in REACH [2:59 pm, 26/09/2022]: 

3. But prices in the mature estates - will still need to be tackle - as the prices of these BTO flats in the mature estate are at a ridiculous price.

Eg. the recent new BTO flats in Ang Mo Kio is price at :-

4-room flat $535,000 to $676,000

5-room flat $720,000 to $877,000

Jalan Besar 3-room flat is price at close to $500,000

Comparatively, suburban flats are :-

$245,000 to $317,000 (3-room)

$374,000 to $460,000 (4-room)

$493,000 to $581,000 (5-room)

Wonder how do the young couples afford?

The majority and the future is for the young couples.

The young people will lead the Country to the next generation, the next lap.

Now the demand of new BTO flats are for young couples who intend to get married, to raise kids and start a family.

So if the whole focus of the housing policy if not concentrate on these young couples - what is?

Pushing young couples further and further to the fringe, far far away to the suburbs due to house pricing is not a good strategy - as the young people are our future in building up the country.

Thus government housing strategy is how to build affordable houses in mature estates to bring the young couples back into our mature estates.

Not pushing them away - by market forces or affordability.

In ensuring social compactness - this is the right way to do.

CNA 30 Sep 2022 01:29PM (Updated: 30 Sep 2022 04:31PM)

MAKING IT EASIER FOR FIRST-TIMERS, YOUNG COUPLES

But the 15-month wait-out period is likely to be the most significant measure introduced, as this will "tame demand and prices for the upper tier of the HDB resale market" and make it easier for first-timers to purchase homes, said Christine Sun, senior vice president of research and analytics at OrangeTee & Tie. 

"Demand for these larger flats and million-dollar flats could be largely bought by private homeowners or downgraders who can afford to pay high prices for these flats, thus driving up their prices which will affect the overall price index for all resale flats," she explained. 

As such, "this (15-month wait-out period) may cool the market for a while and slow down the pace of price increase for these bigger flats to a certain extent and allow younger couples a better chance of securing these units with lesser competition," she added.

"Overall price growth may moderate which will also help first-timers to have a better chance of buying resale flats if they cannot wait for the long completion period for some BTO flats." 

205. SK post in REACH [2:01 pm, 11/04/2022]: 

1. My close friend suggestion to relook at healthcare reform to bring down the Nation healthcare spendings (and thus reduce the increasing yeatly fiscal budget) - is the right key that will help to arrest the ever escalating healthcare cost :-

Preventive care is a pre-emptive approach to prevent, detect any problem to our health before it happen or become serious - and nip the health problem at its bud.

It will be less costly as early treatment can prevent any problem that manifest into a bigger health problem at a greater healthcare cost - to both the people and the State which offer subsidised co-payment.

2. My close friend suggestion to allow greater autonomy for family physician (or pharmicists) to treat mild conditions - also resonate with the new Government 1st  core component strategy of "1. Mobilisation of our network of family physicians" - of providing care-delivery with a team-based approach at the regional level close to the people residing in the neighborhood.

3. Finally all the rest of the Government 5 core components in preventive healthcare - make alot of sense to prevent serious illness from manifesting ---- which in the long run - the aggregating outcome of hospital needs will be greatly reduced - as many serious illness can be prevented and tackle early before it become serious ---- which thus will prevent our Nation healthcare cost from ballooning year after year as our population ages.

Yahoo News Fri, October 7, 2022, 10:35 PM

After a two-day debate, Parliament on Wednesday endorsed the White Paper on the national preventive healthcare programme.

Under the programme, residents can enjoy free health screenings and nationally recommended vaccinations, use MediSave to fully pay for the treatment of chronic illnesses as well as earn "health points" on the Healthy 365 mobile app. They are also encouraged to enrol with their primary doctor.

"It's a big change for MOH. As I always say, we are called the Ministry of Health but the truth is we've been operating like the Ministry of Sickness: we run hospitals, polyclinics; we are about drugs and approving medications," said Ong.

Healthier SG marks the first time that authorities have introduced a national system to support healthier lifestyles, he added.

206. I post in REACH [1:32 pm, 18/05/2022]: 

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? 🤔

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".

CNA news 15 Oct 2022 01:05PM (Updated: 15 Oct 2022 01:18PM)

Singapore does not rule out reimposing mask mandate, closely monitoring XBB wave: Ong Ye Kung.

Straits Times (15 Oct 2022)

But bringing back stricter mask mandates or other safe management measures cannot be ruled out, he added.

"Maybe we put back our masks, say indoors, or indoors and outdoors, if the situation requires it... We may have to step up VDS to an appropriate level in order to protect those who are not up to date with their vaccinations," said Mr Ong.

207. I post in REACH [3:41 pm, 21/11/2022]: 

That's why, both NAC and the buskers should sit down and talk.

1. Address safety.

2. Address busking income.

--- come out with a win win solutions - acceptable to both parties addressing the 2 concerns.

CNA news 22 Nov 2022 10:48AM (Updated: 22 Nov 2022 10:49AM)

Authorities look to engage with buskers following restrictions on year-end performances. “If you would like to share your views on this matter, please let us know,” the email read.

208. I post in REACH [12:53 pm, 09/11/2022]: 

a. WIll WP stop charging town council charge - and use its reserve investment to fund the town council charges? This is a challenge I throw to WP. 

If WP feel so strongly about using more reserve (NIRC) and proceed from land sales - then WP should do what they say :-

i. Use your interest, dividend income earn through the WP saving and reserves from the town council fund to pay the town council running expenses - eg. pay workers salary, cleaners salary, estate maintenance ---- then I will believe what you say in Parliament is financially sound.

If WP is unable to demonstrate in managing the town council estate using such financial approach --- then how to convince the population that what WP proposal of using more reserves and land sales proceed --- are the right way to finance the government running cost instead of GST hike?

WP by suggesting to use 60% NIRC - is akin to doing so - and this don't make financial sense.

In fact WP is suggesting a dangerous move - that will deplete our generation of hardwork to accumulate our reserve overtime --- and our descendants will suffer.

Even 金山银山 (gold mountain, silver mountain) - will be gone in no time - if WP harp on using our financial reserves and land sales reserves - to spend on yearly recurring expenses.

Because earning and accumulating reserves is very hard and our reserves and land are limited - spenindg them like what WP suggest is very easy and soon will be gone in no time.

We must jealously guard our reserves - and be hawk eyes about politicians who keep harping on spending our reserves.

Singapore is a small Country with no natural resources.

Human resources and financial reserves - are our only resources - and we must guard against politicians spending our reserves away unprudently - not based on sound financial principles.

Straits Times PUBLISHED NOV 22, 2022, 10:54 PM SGT

WP believes that higher government expenditures can be met without unpopular moves such as raising the GST by taking more from the reserves, never mind that this will leave future generations of Singaporeans with less money and a weakened financial position, he said.

“There isn’t a spending proposal that WP didn’t like – only asking for more of it; and there isn’t a funding proposal that WP didn’t oppose – only proposing we raid the reserves instead,” Mr Chee wrote on Petir.sg, the PAP’s sociopolitical website.

In place of a hike, they proposed raising the proportion of the Net Investment Returns Contribution (NIRC) that can be spent in the Budget each year to 60 per cent, up from the current 50 per cent. They also suggested using proceeds from land sales to fund current expenditure.

“If earlier generations of Singaporeans had done what WP proposed and spent more of our reserves and investment returns in previous years, we will have less reserves and NIRC today,” he added.

Had earlier Governments embarked on this path, Singapore would be facing an even greater GST increase to 11 per cent or 13 per cent to fund its current and future spending needs, he said.

He said the PAP government prefers to maintain the 50:50 ratio between spending investment returns from NIRC and saving the rest, as this strikes a fair and necessary balance between the needs of today and tomorrow, and current and future generations.

209. I post in REACH [2:59 pm, 21/11/2022]: 

Busker incomes

1. Next buskers' income come into mind.

2. Some buskers are doing full-time busking - and rely on busking during festive period to earn a few month income.

3. While some buskers are doing part-time busking - to supplement their full-time jobs or students doing busking to earn some pocket money.

4. Honestly, unless there is a big open field at Orchard road - carve out into modular spaces for buskers to perform - rather than allowing them to do busking on busy pedestrian path and block crowd movement that could cause stampede or spill onto the roads - there are no other  ways to allow busking during festive seasons.

5. Wonder is there a big field space at Orchard road - that allow to do busking performance safely except Isatana?

CNA news 29 Nov 2022 08:54PM (Updated: 29 Nov 2022 09:48PM)

Busking restrictions eased at 4 sites along Orchard Road during festive period.

But following engagements with the performers and the National Arts Council (NAC), the police said busking will now be allowed at four of those sites: The Heeren, 313@Somerset, Knightsbridge, and Mandarin Gallery, except on Christmas Eve, where buskers are only allowed to perform until 7pm.

210. I post in REACH [1:57 pm, 21/11/2022]: 

2. A technology that is particularly useful - to accurately map population number and densities to floor areas - are RF signals that are log to the Telco base stations.

I recall during covid time - an apps "SpaceOut" used the above technique to monitor and map out the crowd density to floor spaces in shopping areas, even in forested areas like parks --- to help to inform public and authorities the crowd densities per monitored areas.

I feel that similar "SpaceOut" apps - can be used to monitor crowd buildup in Orchard road during festive seasons - and broadcast in mainstream news, social media and other sources --- to inform people not to go to Orchard if signs of overcrowding occur.

MRT, - which is the major conduit of transporting people to Orchard road - should also prevent boarding to Orchard road -if "SpaceOut" discovered overcrowding.

Because as more people crowd the Orchard areas, telco base station syslog or access logs - will have an overwhelming RF handshake and record entries from the smartphones - accurately indicating the numbler of people in the areas - and the road densities will not be able to accomodate.

 

Strait Times (21 Dec 2022) A digital map that shows congestion levels in real time will be accessible on Dec 24, to help last-minute shoppers and revellers in Orchard Road navigate and avoid crowded areas.

The digital map (https://go.gov.sg/crowd-at-orchard-road) highlights areas in town that are packed with people, and suggests alternative places that are less crowded.

The portal will be available on Dec 24, from 6pm to 1.30am.

 

211. I post in REACH [10:44 am, 12/12/2022]: 

Voicing my children needs on BTO.

6. Waiting time for the BTO flat should not be too long - preferably less than 2 or 3 years upon application.

CNA news 06 Feb 2023 07:34PM (Updated: 06 Feb 2023 07:34PM)

Minister Desomnd Lee said that from 2024, HDB intends to launch more flats with shorter waiting times of under three years. The agency will also review how to better allocate flat supply to meet the most urgent needs.

212. I post in REACH [2:05 pm, 01/02/2023]: 

C - (C)ash with no financial worries

1. Elderly must have sufficient cash for retirement, debt free, and no financial worries.

2. Cash for retirement can come from various sources :-

a. Savings from past employment, business or investment.

b. CPF retirement eg. CPF Life, Medisave etc.

c. Monetising houses (eg. HDB flat - VERS, condo, landed properties) - to supplement the above if insufficient from a. and b.

I post in REACH [1:46 pm, 18/01/2023]: 

I will like to add on to my close friend comments :-

1. Relying on CPF contribution from working salary and business to contribute to our retirement - is 1 tap.

But as articulated by my close friend - CPF savings have been expanded to be used to serve a number of causes - not only retirement such as housing, medical etc.

Hence retirement sum from the CPF to fund our retirement is hard press - and could be insufficient - if we take into account the current inflation of more than 5%.

2. Hence I feel that another tap need to be found - to supplement the CPF retirement sum.

The answer could be in SERs or VERs in which 90% of the population dwell in and many old flats are facing lease decay -- and for private house owners - enbloc.

If the Government is able to run a successful monetisation of SERs and VERs as I illustrated in the previous forum - that look feasible without the need for Government to do capital injection - then retirement needs for the entire population will be within reach ---- without the Government stress up to do "Capital Injection" to fund the minimum retirement sum - for those unable to meet the basic retirement sum.

CNA News 07 Feb 2023 08:59PM (Updated: 07 Feb 2023 08:59PM)

Senior MOS MND Sim Ann thanked Assoc Prof Lim, saying that he’s made the point for her that when flats reach the tail end of their leases, at about 20 years or 30 years left, the units would be very difficult to sell.

“That is the generosity of the VERS scheme - that the Government comes in as the purchaser of last resort when no one else would actually purchase and give the flat owner the remaining value of the lease,” she said. 

Mr Lee had said that the Government will compensate residents whose flats are taken back early, and will also help them get another flat to live in. This should take place when the flats reach about 70 years of age.

He would then be able to monetise the flat by selling it later, or choose to “age in place” through renting out rooms or the Lease Buyback scheme.

The flat is thus a “good store of value” over a buyer’s lifetime although the value goes to zero after 99 years, she said.

His children may also benefit to some extent, although not his grandchildren, Ms Sim added.

“But his children and grandchildren will get Government support in turn to buy their own HDB flats and benefit from having a tangible stake that also appreciates in value,” she said.

When asked for more details on VERS by Workers' Party MPs, such as if it will apply to all precincts, Ms Sim said that MPs will need to "stay tuned" as the scheme is a work in progress.

213. I feedback in LTA roadshow (late 2022) :

LTA conduct a roadshow at my place.

I told a Malay female officer and say there is no covered walkway across the road.

Always get wet when raining.

She said use umbrella.

I say now coming to have MRT.

Covered walkway should be essential.

I told her to feedback.

Dadada.....

Now covered walkway coming my way.....

18 Feb 2023

214. I post in REACH [2:09 pm, 30/01/2023]: 

1. However, I noticed that are still some loopholes that the current SSIR and ScamShield have not addressed :-

a. WhatsApp, Telegram messages

b. Email

c. QR codes

2. I understand the above come from the "data" network and not from the "voice" network - in which both SSIR and ScamShield - can engage our Telcos to filter out the scam calls and scam messages.

3. The above scam messages source come in through the internet which are IP-based - in which a totally different set of anti-scam tools will be needed.

CNA news 24 Feb 2023 05:36PM (Updated: 24 Feb 2023 09:37PM)

If you’ve received a suspicious message – whether it’s on WhatsApp, Telegram or via SMS – you can soon check if it could be a scam.

All you have to do is to send a screenshot of it or copy its text into a WhatsApp bot – a new product by the Government’s anti-scam app ScamShield.

The bot was announced by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation initiative during the Committee of Supply debate on Friday (Feb 24). It is expected to be launched later this year.

215. I post in REACH [1:50 pm, 30/01/2023]: 

3. (R)eport

a. Report all scam calls or messages - through the ScamShield - so that an updated ScamShield database will help the Authority to filter out latest scam sources, provide leads to help Authority to investigate and establish identlity and sources of scammers - so that appropriate actions can be taken; train the AI model to be more and more intelligent - so that scammers will not be given any chances to reach the public.

[1:50 pm, 30/01/2023] ☸️  Danny 心: 

b. Public who have downloaded ScamShield (Android or ioS) - will be another very effective tools to filter out likely scam calls and scam SMS - as it is a central national database that sieve out such calls and messages.

To make the ScamShield watertight, public who still received scam calls and scam SMS should report them to the ScamShield - so that the database will be keep up to date to keep out new scam calls or messages ---- so that other public members will be protected.

I guess ScamShield are aided by AI machine learning to be able to intelligently identify likely scam calls and messages to block, filter and provide intelligent information to the anti-Scam units to conduct investigation and take actions when concrete leads are established.

CNA news 24 Feb 2023 05:36PM (Updated: 24 Feb 2023 09:37PM)

“Every report made through the ScamShield Bot or app improves the accuracy of detecting scam messages as an overall anti-scam defence system, and helps prevent scammers from reaching more potential victims,” the spokesperson added.

216. I post in REACH [1:29 pm, 08/02/2023]: 

One way to keep the price down is to :-

1. Make supply exceed demand.

Once supply exceed demand, price will go down as less buyers go after too many houses.

2. Another way is to dampen demand, whereby government implement anti-speculatory measures.

[4:43 pm, 14/02/2023] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Microeconomics - demand and supply curve - determine prices.

If supply outgrow demand, housing prices will come down.

[4:54 pm, 14/02/2023] ☸️  Danny 心: 

No need to try fanciful methods to reduce housing prices.

What forgo land prices, what restrictions measures etc - will skew market forces and bring unintended economic outcomes.

Prices of housing are like any good and services - simple microeconomic principles - demand and supply determine housing prices.

It is the precise determination of what supply to fix what demand - determine the desirable price we want.

Determining how much flats and the duration of supply - to meet demand is not only a science but also an art - as we need to tamper with buyer's expectations.

The moments the government get a good grasp of these few variables - then housing price can be bring down to a level that is satisfactory to Singaporeans.

 

Straits Times (25 Feb 2023)

Adding that there are “no magic solutions” to solve the current housing issues, he said the Government’s approach is to tackle the root cause of the problem by ramping up BTO supply to catch up with the delays that had arisen during the pandemic.

217. I post in REACH [1:52 pm, 08/02/2023]: 

1. Managing and controlling the demand and supply is the correct economic principles of managing prices.

This includes managing property prices.

2. Not exclusion of land price - which not only infringe law - a house title deed, it also crash the whole property market and lead to a sesimic economic disaster and wipe out the population wealth as well as the country sovereign reserves in one big swop.

Straits Times (25 Feb 2023)

Changing the way that land is priced to lower the cost of Housing Board flats will risk destabilising the entire property market, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

He cautioned against artificially resetting the housing market in this manner.

=======

Taking stock - successful Contributions in Open Forum 

Weng Cheng Ye

Ricky Lim

So which ward do we expect to see you representing the ruling party in the next election?

Your accounting/financial analysis prowess put me to shame.

南无阿弥陀佛🙏🙏🙏

Like · Reply · 9m

Ricky Lim

Weng Cheng Ye - ha ha ha...

I am not from accounting or financial background.

Also, I am not into politics.

I am a neutral person & not with any party - just wanting to ensure that our Country is doing well and Singaporeans and residents are living well.

Like · Reply · 1m

Jimmy Hui

Weng Cheng Ye, "Ricky Lim" account was set up for a group of people to rebut any criticism of the ruling party. That is why you probably find him amazing with his long stories and analysis and he can talk on anything (a group of people is behind the account).

A neutral person & not with any party - will not go to such extend and spent so much time justifying what the ruling party did is always correct. "He" will remain anonymous and talking to him is as good as talking to a bot.

Save your time...

Like · Reply · 12h

Ricky Lim

Jimmy Hui - Ricky Lim is one and only one person - not associate with any party.

Also I am not always with the Ruling Party.

Anything that is done correctly I will support - whether is Ruling Party or Opposition Party.

Anything that is not done correctly, I will propose what should be the correct things to do.

Eg. SingHealth cyberattack - I propose my solution how to stop the APT attack.

President Trump and President Kim visit to Singapore on denuke talk - I propose Sentosa instead of Shangrila. And I am very please that the MFA, MHA, Mindef etc are very effective and efficient to host and ramp up organisation skills and security skills to protect the foreign dignitaries and ensure a successful talk.

It shows that if the security forces (a combined integrated forces of the Home Team, Air, Land, Sea, Air defense - at short notice) can protect Sentosa (a pilot test of protecting an island and the gateway), they can protect Singapore.

Foreign Policy of "Friends with All. Adversaries with None. Forge mutual benefits with Win-Win outcome." - is my proposed foreign policy principle.

Changing police revolver to magazine load handgun to combat terrorism - is also my proposal.

 Using rail sensor to proactively to detect track fault with central monitoring instead of "eyeball" track fault is my proposal.

Section 377A - I also propose my opinion of Explicit lens and Implicit lens.

ITM - Industry Transformation Map and centralised online Job Portal to resolve the disruptive tech that disrupt business and jobs - is my proposal.

Social Entrepenurship Hawker Centre with at least 1 cheap dish per stall is also my proposal.

And many others. such as Mention 苏东波 尿 can be evaporated and become drinking water in 1990s - become Newater in 2000.

My view is for the good of Singapore - which is Party neutral.

Just happen that I agree with about 90 to 95% of the view that is held by the Ruling Party - does not means that i am the Ruling Party social media spokesman.

I write what is best for Singapore, what is most pragmatic that works, not what is most popular but that will sink the Country.

Like · Reply · 1m

Jimmy Hui

Ricky Lim, after all that you've wrote and with so much of your proposals implemented, you expect anyone to believe you are "one and only one person"? If you are one person, you must be a super human cos you seem to have tremendous in-depth knowledge on everything under the sky. A super human like you should have joined (or may be you already have) a political party and with your credentials and foresights could easily be leading Singapore by now. Why just stay anonymous and gave all the above proposals for free? YOLO (you only live once) so why not make use of your life to show what you can do for society (and singapore) since you have such a great heart for the country and the people? I almost thought you're a reincarnated LKY :)

I still find it hard to believe you are "one and only one person" you claimed. Even if you're a one person, you're no ordinary guy. I suspect you must be a top notch civil servant (active or retired) unless you're some kind of prodigy /genius who choose to stay anonymous - what a waste! The fact that you do not have a face to your account and your usual staunch support of the ruling party, suspicion of your party affiliation is obvious and as for me I still suspect it's a group of people behind that "Ricky Lim". Sorry for not respecting your name (if it's your real name) and your "one and only one person" claim. Chao!

Like · Reply · 16h

Ricky Lim

Jimmy Hui - Ha ha ha...

Well "Ricky Lim" - indeed is "one and only one person".

You say "Ricky Lim" is a super-human - with in-depth knowledge ----- well there are many capable people in the Civil Service and the Ruling Party possessing such breadth and depth knowledge. I am certainly not a reincarnated LKY in which I have the full respect - that is too much a compliment.

As for why give my proposals free --- well the Buddha also give his immense knowledge free to the World - for the sole purpose of "liberating human sufferings to benefit the Universe".

Singapore is doing very well under a very capable Party - that even earn the respects of the World.

Singapore is not undergoing a crisis. There is no need to have another Mr LKY.

Many of the policies from the Ruling Party - are pragmatic, solving the real problem of Singapore and bring the Country forward - except some fine tuning needed that have fall off the crack.

Like · Reply · 1m

Jimmy Hui

Ricky Lim, not only have I said you seem to have in-depth knowledge of everything under the sky, you are also a master of modern warfare (y). Good strategies and imaginations (y).

Like · Reply · 9m

Ricky Lim

Jimmy Hui - Our Sovereignty have been trampled on and a direct threat are make on us.

We must stand up and use our assets to the fullest - to deter any threat directed at us.

We must not let our adversary go away with the idea the Singapore can be bullied !

Under this multiple layer of naval and air defences --- do you think that old man can intrude into our water territories?

We can also rest our naval guys and air force guys = with 24 hours patrol deploying unmanned stealth warships along our territorial water.

Like · Reply · 1m · Edited

Jimmy Hui

Ricky Lim, for all your brilliance and in-depth knowledge of everything under the sky coupled with a great heart for the well being of Singaporeans, I can't help but think that you are also deeply programmed by the ruling party. As such you have lost your fairness as an observer in such politicking.