Pelosi Taiwan visit: region ‘tense’ as Chinese navy watches US warships, holds drills in South China Sea

USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier sails near contested Fiery Cross Reef, with Chinese warships seen nearby

Military analyst says it’s likely to provide an escort for the US House speaker if she proceeds with trip to Taiwan

Jack Lau

Published: 7:30pm, 29 Jul, 2022

User since Mar 2021

Babe B.

Why should US speaker create unnecessary tension in the Asia Pacific region to visit Taiwan - just to spite China? 

Can't US indulge in more useful things such as economic cooperation to prop up the Global Economy - rather than adopting brinksmanship - causing unnecessary friction in the Global stage. 

Is the World not enough of man created crisis and pandemic created crisis?

Just now

1. US democracy system is one that do not really govern or keep their own house in order.

2. The governance system is about "playing to gallery" everyday - so that their lawmakers can wow their voters to win one election after another election - instead of focusing on running the Country, fixing domestic problems, oooperate with foreign countries to fix global problems like global climate, economy, trade, investment etc.

Lawmakers only concentrate on winning election every other days - First the congress election, then the senate election. then Republican primary, then the Democratic primary, then the Presidential election.

3. So everyday, US lawmakers one after another will have to find something or some issue to play up with - and China seems to be the US convenient playcards to play up - so as to win domestic votes - instead of focusing on fixing their own houses and own domestic troubles that are aplenty - eg. mass gun tragedies, human rights against minorities, abortion issues, LBGTQ issues etc etc. - which is more difficult to resolve due to their deadlock 2 party system.

4. Many in the World don't think US is full of righteousness and moral hero - to fight for the cause of justice - because with the 1st sign of trouble, US will withdraw themselves from trouble. Eg. Afghanistan, Iraq etc.

5. So stop creating trouble and try to mess things up. 

REACH 379 - What are your views on Singapore's Green Plan 2030? How else can we work better together to ensure for a resource-efficient future for our next generation?

(SK)

29 Jul 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:49 am, 29/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10am to 7pm today. ⏰

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Megan 😊

[10:01 am, 29/07/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic📢

28 July 2022 was marked as Earth Overshoot Day, the day when humanity's demand on natural resources exceeds a sustainable supply that the earth can renew in a year. 

That demand is damaging ecosystems such as forests, mangroves and grasslands, polluting the land, sea and air and fuelling climate change, which is compounding the threats facing nature and harming its ability to provide resources for future generations. 

Global Footprint Network and WWF pointed out that the food production system and its ‘considerable’ ecological footprint took up more than half of the planet’s biocapacity.

💬 What are your views on Singapore's Green Plan 2030? How else can we work better together to ensure for a resource-efficient future for our next generation?

Singapore aims to accelerate towards a climate-resilient, sustainable and resource-efficient future. The Green Plan 2030 charts ambitious and concrete targets to advance Singapore’s national agenda on sustainable development. The five key pillars under the Green Plan encompass targets that touch almost every dimension of our lives:

📌City in Nature: 

o Plant 1 million more trees across the island for cleaner air and cooler shade. 

o Increase nature parks’ land area by over 50%. Every household will be within 10-minute walk from a park. 

📌Sustainable Living:

o Reduce household water consumption to 130 litres per capita per day and amount of waste to landfill per capita per day by 30%.

o Achieve 75% mass public transport peak-period modal share and triple cycling paths to 1,320km.

o Achieve a two-thirds reduction of net carbon emissions from the schools sector.

📌Energy Reset: 

o Increase solar energy deployment by five-fold solar energy deployment to generate enough electricity to power more than 350,000 households a year.  

o Green 80% of Singapore’s buildings.

o Best-in-class green buildings to see an 80% improvement in energy efficiency. 

o All new car and taxi registrations to be of cleaner-energy models and target 60,000 charging points nationwide.

📌Green Economy:

o Jurong Island to be a sustainable energy and chemicals park. 

o Singapore as a sustainable tourism destination and a carbon services hub in Asia.

o Singapore as leading centre for green finance and services to facilitate Asia’s transition to a low-carbon and sustainable future and regional centre for developing new sustainability solutions.

o Groom a strong pool of local enterprises to capture sustainability opportunities.

📌Resilient Future:

o Complete formulation of coastal protection plans for City-East Coast, North-West Coast (Lim Chu Kang and Sungei Kadut) and Jurong Island.

o Meet 30% of Singapore’s nutritional needs through locally produced food.

👉🏻 https://www.straitstimes.com/world/st-explains-what-is-earth-overshoot-day-and-how-is-it-calculated

👉🏻 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sustainability/earth-overshoot-day-jul-28-consume-resources-ecosystem-regenerate-2840651

👉🏻 https://www.overshootday.org/

👉🏻 https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/key-focus-areas/key-targets

------

[10:10 am, 29/07/2022] +65 9729 3850: I would like to suggest the following to the implemented in the future:

 1. Make in mandatory to charge for each plastic bag given so as to reduce plastic bag consumption. Channel the money collected for environment protection purposes. 

2. Cultivate a sense of recycling since young by placing one recycle box in each classroom in schools. Provide positive reinforcement such as class league points or school voucher for those classes that recycled the most (in terms of weight)

3. Introduce a Singapore Recycling Day - just like Earth Day, to encourage recycling nation wide

[10:59 am, 29/07/2022] +Rama: Yes

[10:59 am, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: 29 July, 2022 

To: Our Distinguished Ministers and All Honorable Members 

"First world order and First world standard."

-  - annoymous 

The fact is, we need to spend! Perhaps, we as consumers are the driver of pollutions ( include prices) for goods and services that makes the world goes round and round!

The food security issue is crucial for Singapore status as one of Asia's metropolis. There will not be any shortages of food or even if there is one it will be solved within weeks.

Many people have not experienced shortages in their lifetime. Perhaps, our young generation and ourselves will see, feel and learn this valuable lesson of Needs versus Wants and the consequences of ABUNDANCE vs SCARCITY.

Are we fortunate enough to continue consuming and affording more than 3 times of many other nations? Are these spending and consumption trends upstoppable?

Will the carbon tax, electric car, greentech and recycle initiatives reduce wastages and environmental pollutions?  How thorough is the ESG knowledge, coverage and outreach today and into 2030 or more? What's the eco landscape be for Singapore, let's prospect it to 2035?

     - - in progress - -

[11:00 am, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Recycling is not well aware within local

[11:01 am, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: Good morning Ken!

Well observed and said....

The idea of "you don't do it why should I do!"

[11:01 am, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Plastic bag for general use… usually are already recycled somehow 😅

Charging is a right way… or incentive given for companies that have little plastic bag use

[11:03 am, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: I am from plastic industry… can give rough information. 

NEA has already made declaration of plastic waste within companies mandatory. Guess something are in the pipeline with the data collected

[11:03 am, 29/07/2022] +Rama: Great

[11:03 am, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: That include primary and secondary packing used within Singapore exports not control under the act

[11:03 am, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: Good point, Timothy!

Let's drum it monthly, can be on community carnival and events. Social media too?

[11:03 am, 29/07/2022] +Rama: https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2022/07/20/suit-against-singapore-minister-to-be-heard-in-malaysia-after-lawyers-group-wins-appeal

[11:19 am, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: 29 July, 2022

"The Green Time Line "

Here it goes:

The first recorded use of recycled paper was in 9th century Japan .

In 1690 recycling reaches the New World. The Rittenhouse Mill in Philadelphia opens and begins recycling linen and cotton rags. The paper produced from these materials was sold to printers for use in Bibles and newspapers.

World War II sees massive, universal collection campaigns for tin, rubber, steel, paper and more.

Earth Day is celebrated for the first time on April 22, 1970.

In 1985 America is at 10% nationwide recycling participation.

By 1995 America is at 20% nationwide recycling participation; double what it had been 10 years ago in 1985 and only 3 years later, in 1998, it tops 30%.

In the early 2000s, organic waste collection at the curb begins on the West Coast (San Francisco).

Lessons:

It takes time and big efforts to conquer this mindset of reuse , recycle and recreate! 

There is a need to calibrate and timed these on going green initiatives. Some things in life and nature, one just cannot rush through and expecting great results and returns!

[1:22 pm, 29/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Our Living Environmnet

1. The Global Warming Climate that have hit the Earth has reached an unprecedented level - that is making Earth very sick - high temperature, drought, flood, typhoon, hurricane, melting ice, drying up of rivers, rising sealevel etc

2. This has make many fertile lands barren - unable to grow crops for humans and animal feed.

3. Domestic animals are unable to survive as they are unable to graze the lands for food, and poultries run out of food as maize, wheat, rice etc are increasingly difficult to grow due to more and more barren lands cause by adverse Global conditions.

4. Hence, drastic steps to reverse the Global Climate conditions is imperative if Humanity want to continue to live comfortably, safely and have sufficient food to sustain our lives.

---

[1:27 pm, 29/07/2022] +Gan Kelvin: Irreversible

Covid gave mother earth 🌎 some reprive

But now things are going back to normalcy

No different at all once things go back full swing

Might be worst off to make up the 2 year hiatus 🤣

[1:31 pm, 29/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Singapore Green Plan 2030

1. Looking through the Green Plan, I support the Singapore Green Plan 2030 - in which many good Green Initiatives are put forward - that will help to bring a greener and sustainable living environment for Singapore.

2. In addition, our Food Security Plan 2030 to ensure we can locally produced our own food - is particularly reassuring as we cannot control what happen to the food supply outside our Country - as unfavorable global climate, human intervention such as food protectionism, wrong economic policies, war, pandemic - may disrupt our diverse nest of food supply - and make imported food unavailable to us.

3. Ministry of Environment has done a very good job coming out with the Green Plan.

4. But however, there are some areas I will like to highlight for MoEnv consideration for improvement or future implementation (in which I believe the Ministry is looking closely into - but not publicly articulated) - in the next section.

----

[2:03 pm, 29/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Areas for Improvement

1. Overused of plastic and plastic bags that overwhelm the land fills, polluting the lands and the sea - is indeed a big problem and need to be curb.

2. On the other hand, there is a need to bag refuses (solid waste and liquid waste) at home, in food centre, in office - in which this habit has been build over the years and ensure Singapore hygiene problem is kept in control and make Singapore a clean city.

3. As NEA intend to charge every single plastic bag used come mid-2030, I will like to highlight the following :-

a. Charging every plastic bags in supermarket will definitely discourage consumers from using single-used plastic bags to bag their groceries. This will solve one part of the equation by preventing plastic bags overused.

b. But this introduced another problem that are currently under control - that is, it will discourage household to use single-used plastic bags to bag refuse (solid and liquid waste) at home. 

Many household will not be willing to pay for refuse bag to bag their home waste (because the single-used plastic bags currently are double up as refuse bags at home) - as they are price paid for in buying groceries in supermarket. 

c. With the charging of single-used plastic bags - it means household have to :-

i. Pay to buy reusable bags for groceries.

ii. Pay to buy refuse bags (which are currently free) - as part of price paid to buy groceries.

This inevitably is an "unfair policies" - that penalise household and expect household to pay and pay --- on top of the runaway inflation that are squeezing every household from high income, middle income and low income.

d. Hence I will to suggest improvement to the "charging of every plastic bag" to curb overused of plastic bags and at the same time, ensure household continue to inherit the good habits of bagging their refuse at home without incurring additional cost (beyond the unbearable inflation hitting every household).

i. Government issue free refuse bags and reusable carrier bags to every household every year - and proceed to charge every single-used plastic bags.

or

ii. Governement provide "Refuse Bag voucher" to every household every year (similar to the concept of GST voucher) to buy reusable carrier bags and refuse bags to bag house refuse.

or

iii. Government use an apps and backend system to allocate "carbon credit" to each household.

This will throw the burden of supplying "reusable carrier bags" and "refuse bags" back to the private Supermarkets - and not use taxpayer's money to supply the reusable carrier bags and refuse bags --- in which consumers have already paid for in the supermarkets when buying groceries.

Household can collect a certain amount of reusable carrier bags and plastic bags (as refuse bags) free of charge from the supermarket --- according to the "carbon credit" assigned to each household using the apps and backend system to keep track.

Once all the "carbon credit" is used up - then consumers will have to pay for each reusable carrier bags and plastic bags used in the supermarket.

4. This will solve the problem of :-

a. Overused of plastic bags

b. Maintain the current good habit of using refuse bags to bag home waste (solid and liquid) - without polluting our living environment.

c. Not throwing the full cost of reducing the use of plastic bags, bagging refuse --- solely to all the household ---- and inheriting the image of "Pay-And-Pay" to solve National problem.

----

[3:00 pm, 29/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Future Sustainability Energy solutions and Food sources

Future Food production

1. Singapore is a small Country with island wide land mass. Every inch of our land space is a premium and need to produce the maximum economic output whenever possible.

2. Traditional food production is land-intensive and the yield will not be sufficient to sustain the population even if the whole island is used for agriculture to grow food for the whole population food needs.

3. Hence high-tech food production, vertical farming and future lab-based, manufacturing plant food production ---- are the only way to grow - whereby our land footprint to produce our food needs is greatly reduced and yet can bring about high food yield output to feed our entire population - and will be even possible to produce surplus for export to feed the rest of the World - while earning export income.

4. Notice in the Green Plan 2030 covers the "Medium Term Food Security Plan" - high-tech fish farming, high-tech poultries and eggs production, floating farm in offshore islands, vertical farming for vegetables, hydroponic vegetable, Temasek rice resistant grain etc. ----- are very good plan that are on the way to achieve our Food 30/30 vision - 30% local food produce in 2030.

5. "Long Term Food Security Plan" beyond 2030 - is not articulated --- though quietly work upon.

For clarity sake, below are some possibilities of long term food production - that will help to secure our future food needs beyond 2030 and even have the capacities to export our future food (like our water security).

a. Plant-based meat - is the lab-based meat that are made from plant and vegan ingredients that required smaller land spaces to grow vegetables and then produced meat in lab and mass produce in manufacturing plants. Thus 10 times the land space to grow crops and then 1 times the land spaces to feed animals - will no longer be required.

Currently, Singapore are able to produce such lab-based - plant-based meat - except the price is still relatively high as compated to traditional meat. Also consumer acceptance still need more efforts. 

But the momentum is there --- and will poise to be our long-term food security plan to be able to feed our whole population as well as for export.

b. Cell-culture, tissue-re-engineering meat, dairies product - by extracting cells from live animals eg. poultries, cows, pigs, sheeps, lambs, fish, seafoods or extracting cells from the eggs - it is possible to culture the cells, put the right healthy ingredients, grow and multiply the cells in lab, then grow the multiplied cells in bio-reactor in manufacturing plants to mass-produce alternative meat.

Such cell-culture production is healthy as it removed unhealthy saturated fats, trans-fat, anti-biotics, hormone injection etc from live animals - and ensure humans will be eating healthy cell-culture meat and fit for human consumption.

The barriers are now high cost, R&D to ensure the cell culture meat can achieve the live meat texture, and ensuring consumer acceptance.

Note that since only cells and ingredients are needed and no need to set aside big land spaces for crops to produce animal feeds and let animals graze the crops --- Singapore with high tech, right talents and premium land spaces --- will have a good potential to produce sufficient food not only for the whole population but also for overseas market.

6. If Singapore is successful in achieving the above, then we will have achieve what we have achieve in our water security - through our various taps - newater recycled water, desalination plants, reservoirs and imported water - and ensure water self-sufficiency.

We will have food self-sufficency - at least in terms of meat production.

But note :- crops such as rice, wheat and to a smaller extent vegetables, eggs, fruits - will still need to rely on imported sources.

But at least we won't go hungry - as we have alternative meat. Coming to the crunch, we can have a larger portion of meat (like chicken chop, beef chop, mutton chop, pork chop, fish and chip, seafood mix) with a smaller portion of rice or vegetables or fruits to go along with.

-----

[3:32 pm, 29/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Future Sustainability Energy solutions

1. !st I will like to applaud our MoENV for doing a good job - exploring the various new energy alternative solutions to secure our energy needs - for our Economy needs, eg manufacturing plants, office, business, and home needs as well as for our transport, and various aspect of our lives that need energy.

Without energy, our Economy, our lives will crumbled.

2. Notably, securing natural gas, oil bunker - and now looking at green energy like solar farms, regional energy grid, hydro electric generators, local solar panels installation, electric cars, LEDs to replace traditonal lighting devices, cloud computing to virtualise physical servers, networks etc. --- are good energy alternatives to secure our immediate and medium term energy needs.

3. Understand MoENV is also looking at future commercially viable energy alternatives that can produce high energy yield in which Singapore will have abundant supplies (and not rely on fuel, oil, natural gas - that need to be imported from oil-producing Countries - in which we are at the mercy of fluctuating oil prices, oil disruption due to geopolitical intervention, oil supply disruption due to war, terrorism and many other factors).

a. Hydrogen gas - produce by green means to split water (H20) - hydrogen from oxygen through green means eg. solar or other means. Water, we have abundant as we are surrounded by sea and will not deplete.

But technology challenges need to be overcome to produce commercially viable hydrogen gas for storage, production and usage.

b. New safe nuclear fusion generated energy - current nuclear energy is unsafe as it is using nuclear fission my splitting nuclear atoms into subatoms to produce heat to generate electricity and as a result producing many radio-active waste that can cause radiation and harm human health.

But new nuclear fusion technology to create an infinite "artificial sun" energy source - by fusing and merging atoms to form bigger atoms will produce heat and generate electricity - like the Sun - will become a viable alternative energy source to produce infinite energy.

Currently only China and US have successfully produced energy through nuclear fusion by creating "Artificial Sun" in their nuclear reactors in a safe manner without generating radioactive waste.

In addition, US nuclear scientists have even make use of new magnet breakthrough to create a smaller, more potent fusion reactors. Singapore can explore this technology as it has a smaller footprint and even safer.

c. Solar energy - where Singapore has abundant infinite supply from our Sun - which is free. The problem is the sufficient energy yield from the Sun to meet our needs, land space to install solar panel, exploring floating solar panel around our sea in offshore islands to harness the sun for our energy needs.

d. Geothermal energy - heat from our deep underground soil to produce electricity. This is in exploratory stage - and our geographical researchers need to do study to determine whether our natural resources can generate sustainable sufficient heat to generate energy for our needs.

4. Again if Singapore is able to harness the above alternative green energy in which Singapore has unlimited supply, then we will not at the mercy of fluctuating oil prices, and disruption.

Like water self sufficiency and like food sufficiency --- we can secure our energy self-sufficiency and ensure a stable sustainable energy price for our Economy, business and household ---- without succumb to runaway energy inflation that is beyond our control.

-----

[3:33 pm, 29/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/magnet-breakthrough-potent-fusion-reactors

New magnet breakthrough could unleash smaller, more potent fusion reactors.

A new technique brings us a step closer to commercially viable nuclear fusion.

[4:11 pm, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sustainability/singapore-renewable-power-northern-territory-sun-cable-explainer-2780861

[4:15 pm, 29/07/2022] +RH: Imo, we need to to step up on Education & Awareness .

And no, I m not talking abt schools.

Not abt corporations either.

A lot is being said and done in these 2 areas alredi.

Qn: Does Gov think tt targetting these 2 sectors abv is enuff to stir ppl into action ?

I feel tt all these initiatives being discussed here r all well & good.

However, how much of the general popn actually buy into the idea?

For example, ther r still many households tt ignore such global issues, for various reasons, one of which is "it is not my problem", or "I dun hv time for all this".

Ther is not enuff Conscious, or Collective effort in households to want to do so.

Also, some households hv domestic helpers. These FDW are either ignorant, dun care or can't do much.

When I speak to these FDW abt going green/recycling/etc, I get answers ranging fr blank looks to nonchalant shrugs to non-commital nods, or replies like " ... but ma'am never tell me to do ... so I think not so important ..."

🤦🏼‍♀️

Companies tt employ foreign workers may follow, practise & enforce actions to support the green plan - at the workplace.  However, wl the foreign worker practise same when they return to their dormitories after work ? 

Wat abt shops & biz tt support these communities? R they involved in this too ?

Qn: With one-third of our general popn made up of foreigners, shdn't the Gov include them in the overall Green Plan 'collective' ? 

Ther r also people in our local community who prefer to communicate / read in their mother tongue.  

Our notices r mostly written in English.

Qn : What is the point of investing in Public Education if only a small part of them are targetted?

Back to Education ~~ I think we need to target the abv  groups of ppl and 

create more awareness among them, and get  collective efforts started from these sectors.

1. Use the posters tt we hv for schools - convert to the various languages & even vernacular (for foreign workers) - and post these in the respective work places.

For those in Chinese, Malay, Tamil - place in RC /CC , bus stops, MRT stns , alongside the same in English.

Or better yet, put all 4 languages on One poster (dun waste!) 

2. For foreign workers & FDW, include green notices in their newsletters.

3. Also, for same, appoint 'green champion' at dorms to follow up on this cause.

Organise events among them to promote the msg.

4. For households, hv more incentives to encourage us to go green. 

Maybe, if achieve certain %age reduction in energy consumption, get a small $ or percentage rebate tagged to how much we saved. Meaning if I achieve a 2% reduction in consumption this mth, then I get a 2% rebate off my bill this month!

(helps against inflation! 😉)

For recycling, step up community efforts / events to promote action in gg green. 

👆🏻these r the thots I hv for now ...

[4:46 pm, 29/07/2022] +RH: One more thing ...

Is ther a central committee to co-ordinate all these efforts from the various ministries?

Sth like wat we had to handle the pandemic sitn.

If we dun, perhaps now is a good time to set up a Co-ordinating body to oversee, organise existing efforts (avoid duplication)  and initiate  / speerhead new projects.

Those projects alredi started also need maintenance.

[4:50 pm, 29/07/2022] +RH: The central committee shd include a champion fr at least one env activist grp + scientist involved in the study / projections in the green initiative.

The rest of the stakeholding panel cud be reps fr various ministries , even pte enterprises (like Sembcorp) which installs solar panels.

[5:37 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: Good for every country to 'do its bit', but if food production is one of the biggest problems I'd be looking to the US to lead the way in reducing consumption. The over eating and waste in that country is shocking.

[5:38 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: I now recycle all plastic, metal, glass and cardboard. Previously I did not, until there was a local campaign to encourage recycling. It would be good to know if more people are recycling, so publish some stats and get more awareness.

[5:39 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: Yes, which is a poor way of thinking but often true. People can be very lazy. Show some stats on the increase in recycling in the community its and the impact it is having so we can see the point.

[5:41 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: Mandate compostable plastic bags. Some companies already use them. Redmart for example.

[5:43 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: So much talk about bags... Singapore already makes eco friendly bags: https://telobag.sg/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwio6XBhCMARIsAC0u9aFrTynRvKDK6X_xvbeV_J_rsDh8tssUiN-_V12m2F-y0KHMfCDES7AaAhcyEALw_wcB

[5:44 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: Support our industries and mandate eco friendly bags. No more talk about charging,  ot charging, reuse for rubbish etc.

[5:45 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: Good idea

[5:46 pm, 29/07/2022] +Rama: Need to push hard on this.

[5:55 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Do not use please.. bio degrade plastic is bad for environment

[5:55 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: It will create micro plastic

[5:55 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: And most are ban in EU as is makes recycling plastic harder as those mixed in will degrade recyclable plastic

[5:57 pm, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: Great idea

[5:58 pm, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: How, any better breakthrough

[5:59 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: Related to today's topic.

[6:00 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: I didn't know this and keep an open mind! Found this: https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages-disadvantages-uses-biodegradable-plastics.php

[6:03 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: Not if the plastic is made from plant material.

[6:04 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: It does highlight the problem if both types are put into recycling bin!

[6:05 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: EU has banned these: Oxo-Degradable or Oxo-BioDegradable, as they are still plastic!

[6:05 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: https://www.european-bioplastics.org/eu-takes-action-against-oxo-degradable-plastics/

[6:06 pm, 29/07/2022] +BL: The Singapore made plant based degradeable plastic bags are 100% ok.

[6:12 pm, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: With 8 billion people on earth : 

Urban lifestyles is a challenge especially with disposing of wasted such as foods, diapers, electronics gadgets and so on.

In non-urbanised and developing nations, community such as villages, perhaps, self disposing of things would be to dig a deep pit either burn it or bury it? 

What are the different types of wasted to manage and tonnage too?

[6:19 pm, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: The disposal of daily wasted food and diapers including adult and infant. Expand it out, it will be a continuous challenge to all households, F&B and food making businesses.

[6:19 pm, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: An overshooting situation...

[6:20 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Recycling can not mix biodegradable… 

As in what kind of breakthrough?

[6:20 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Same issue

[6:21 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: I work on this so I know

[6:21 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Nope…

[6:21 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Plastic industry expect to double every 5 years…

[6:24 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: All food grade plastic has to be virgin plastic. So unless you don’t use plastic at all…

[6:24 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-298965/v1.pdf

[6:25 pm, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: Hi jen, is correct..

Vietnam is expanding its plastic industry. You need oil to do so, a byproduct. Simply Unstoppable

[6:25 pm, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: Hi Ken, sorry for typo...

[6:27 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: By the way alternative uses more energy and resource to make as compare to plastic… 

I really don’t have a good answer for replacement. 

Example your reuseable plastic bags, metal straws etc

[6:28 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Often we don’t use it till it reached equal or more than the production carbon footprint

[6:28 pm, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: Consumers' products  are full of plastic packagings from food to gadgets.

[6:29 pm, 29/07/2022] +Smiley face: Unless there is a major biochem breakthrough

[6:31 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Being in the city itself is already high carbon footprint 😅

Singapore way is to burn away the problem lol..

Reduce to min space and recover it as energy.. 

https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/waste-management/3r-programmes-and-resources/waste-management-infrastructure/semakau-landfill/waste-to-energy-and-incineration-plants

[6:32 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: So technically we are give the power plant free resource to burn.

[6:34 pm, 29/07/2022] +Ken Loh: https://youtu.be/r-q5V6LDxEY

[6:45 pm, 29/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

[7:01 pm, 29/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

=====

REACH 378 - How can we ensure a healthy discourse between groups when discussing important laws and policies?

(SK)

27 Jul 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:46 am, 27/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10am to 7pm today. ⏰

House Rules (short version of our Terms of Use) to keep in mind: 

1. Be kind and respectful. We all want to be in a safe space to share our views. 

2. Any and all threatening, abusive, vulgar or racially, religiously and ethnically objectionable content is prohibited.

3. Consider the quiet ones among us and give them a chance to comment.

4. No need to repeat your comment or in different forms (including caps) - we heard you loud and clear the first time.

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Full set of Terms of Use: https://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms

We will strive to uphold these rules to ensure this is a safe space for all.

Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies.

The topic will be posted shortly.

Thank you

Megan 😊

[10:00 am, 27/07/2022] +REACH: 📢Topic📢

On 23 July, a group of people calling for Section 377A to be kept on the books held an event attended by more than 1,200 people. 

Called the Protect Singapore Townhall, its organisers Jason Wong and Mohamed Khair Mohamed Noor said LGBTQ groups are pushing for changes to law, policy and society beyond 377A. They urged the Government to protect families, marriages and children in the event of repeal. 

Police reports were lodged against the event under the Public Order Act. It was assessed to be a private event that did not require a permit, thus no criminal offence was disclosed. 

LGBTQ groups expressed concern that this would lead to increased harassment against the community. One felt the event aimed to enshrine religious values in law. 

💬 How can we ensure a healthy discourse between groups when discussing important laws and policies?

➡️ Section 377A of the Penal Code is not actively enforced, a position that has been reiterated by the authorities since it was discussed in Parliament in 2007.

➡️ In March, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam said the Government would approach any changes to the law in a way that balances different viewpoints, and avoids a destabilising change in social norms and public expectations. 

➡️ In February this year, the Court of Appeal ruled that the law was retained, but cannot be used to prosecute two consenting male adults engaged in a sexual act in a private place.

➡️ A school counsellor at HCI was recently suspended after showing inaccurate content about the LGBTQ+ community at a sex education talk.

👉🏻 https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/section-377a-review-no-criminal-offence-disclosed-organisers-anti-repeal-protect-singapore-town-hall-says-mha-1952856

👉🏻 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/town-hall-urges-against-repealing-section-377a-without-safeguards-for-marriage-families

----

[10:25 am, 27/07/2022] +JC: I think it'll require moderate leaders from both sides + neutral parties (i.e. govt, civil society) to step in and consistently articulate a moderate position that 

(1) acknowledges the perspectives from both sides 

(2) correct any extreme rhetoric behavior 

(3) contextualize the issue to Singapore

(4) propose/suggest a path forward

It is bad for healthy discourse when only the extreme perspectives are highlighted and conveyed over traditional and social media platforms. There needs to be some form of mediation... maybe govt can bring in leaders who are in the more extreme cap for kopi talk, like in the good ol days.

[10:33 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: 27 July, 2022 

To: Our Distinguished Leaders and All Honorable Members 

That's Life:

One important thing is human must learn to accept and adapt to fellow human especially known genetic issues in their DNAs that perhaps skewed out of the norm of being a male or a female? 

All of these living voices (discussions & complaints & concerns) channel to one, we human are such a diverse species that stakeholders such as societies, policymakers, sociologists and geneticists have accepted the truth and reality, these alternate paths of life (or hidden life 隐藏的生活) !

Importantly, let's all coexist, behave civilly and do not create havoc or break laws. Three rules to consider- be non-extreme, be compassionate and think inclusively! 

     - -  in progress - -

[10:42 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Anxiety and Emotion will escalate into anger and a bigger concern!

Let's cool things abit, all stakeholders. Not letting the human instinct of anxieties and emotions stir this 377A into a pot of hot soup!

[10:49 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Guess removal means green light for the LGBTQ? 

When it is remove, they can official fight for more of their rights. 

Like parenting leave, adoption, etc which previously they can’t even raise with this 377A still in effect

[10:50 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Are you against or are you in favor or are you neutral?

[10:50 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: I am against 😅 

Since it is not enforced. But this will trigger a wider question for the other rights. Which I am not in favour.

[10:52 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Acknowledging this group doesn't need to BEND society backs?

Respecting this group doesn't need to be on the knees

(never like to "brand" this group, afterall they are human too and not so perfect-genetically wise?)

[10:54 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Oh well… some people are more vocal. 

For me I am neutral, as long as they don’t affect the boarder society. Like the more complicated stuff in life other than their relationship being legalise or even marriage.

[10:56 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Respect, perhaps will be a good starting point in engaging everyone in society, that's tolerance and being inclusive thinking! Importantly, Deescalate negative sentiments on this sensitive 377A issue.

It can be small or it will bloom to a bigger issue! What's our tolerance and our social fabric is pretty thin these days....

Perhaps, it can be mean FACE too?    

    - -   in progress - -

[10:57 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Good morning Ken,

It is healthy to voice out... Letting go some steam too.. Totally understand your concerns.

[10:59 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Like we all know of the 3O2 in army.. or the reason music and dance company exist in NS

[10:59 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Consequential and complexity.... 

That's how things lead things and evolve and turn into unfavorable outcomes or favorable?

[10:59 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: How you prove the person is LGBTQ? If they are can the serve in normal army?

[10:59 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: That's acknowledgement itself.

What a good observation, Ken, BINGO!

[11:00 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: I had experience in camp, during NS which a guy was reported to watch guys bathing… 😑

Yes I am in that unit at that time

[11:00 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Some guys are disgusted by it for me… see won’t die as long as you don’t do anything funny

[11:01 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: That becoming a grey area.... Infringing on others Privacy regardless of gender preferences!

[11:02 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: 🤷🏻‍♂️ too sensitive in the end what happen not sure, not interested in such issue. But the guy was definitely identified and reported

[11:02 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Simply, cannot stop human eyes from roving or roaming!

How wives feel when hubbies roam their eyes on PYL... "pretty young ladies"???

[11:02 am, 27/07/2022] +Timothy Low: I think most people are confused with 377A and LGBTQ rights. Section 377A only targets at men having sex with men, whereas LGBTQ rights consists of recognisation of same gender marriage (can be women and women as well) 

My question is, why only targets at men having sex with men? Why women having sex with women is legal?

[11:03 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Bingo again!

Hi Timothy, good morning!

[11:03 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Cause very hard to prove for woman 🤣🤣

[11:04 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: 377A itself is already impossible to prove unless caught in the act

[11:04 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: But the association to the law, hence the rest cannot exist

[11:04 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: “Let’s not go around like this moral police ... barging into people’s rooms. That’s not our business,”

- - MM Lee Kuan Yew circa 2007

[11:07 am, 27/07/2022] +Timothy Low: My second question is: how does repeal of 377A affect the status of heterosexual marriage? Not as if after repealing the husbands will all turn gay 😅

[11:07 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: There is an presumptuous thing that perhaps this affected group within a society is feeling the heat?

The feeling of open discrimination and a constant fear of being criminalise too!

[11:07 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Don’t think affect marriage… but the associated law how it works not sure

[11:08 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Any lawyer here can share if remove and effects?

[11:09 am, 27/07/2022] +Timothy Low: My third concern/question will be how the religious are making use of their religion beliefs to affect government policy. This is quite concerning as we are a secular country. Remember years ago my church preached publicly against the building of integrated resorts in Singapore…

[11:09 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Sometimes, marriage broken due to either spouse discovered or confessed to be skew towards same gender...

[11:11 am, 27/07/2022] +Alwin: Here are a few principles I think should guide healthy public discourse:

1. Integrity - Facts should be verified and presented in a balanced manner (ie relevant facts are presented fairly). Opinions and hearsay should never be treated as facts. 

2. Positive outcome - the aim of public discourse is to arrive at a positive outcome for the country. Individuals participating in public discourse should first listen to understand the opposing side, before explaining their views through debates.  Say “NO” to condescension, insults or hate speech. 

3. Moderation / enforcement - Moderation of public discourse is a necessity (as evident in this chat group). In the age of social media, extreme and sensationalistic views often spread faster and the views of balanced and sensible people are often overlooked. Govt has a key role to play to act against those who spread falsehoods and hate speech.

[11:11 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Hope that all major recognised religious leaders will converge and derive a consensus of acknowledging and the limitation of certain acceptable norms?

[11:11 am, 27/07/2022] +Timothy Low: All the more prove that sexuality is by nature (by birth) and not by choice?

[11:11 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: https://amp.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3182094/why-singapore-may-be-edging-closer-scrapping-section-377a

[11:11 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Yupp, genetic in play...

[11:12 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: If it is profitable or good for the country… I am sure Singapore will repeal it 🤣🤣

Like the casino… as you said

[11:13 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: How about same gender marriage?

How about surrogating a new born and legalised the existence and so on?

Are we ready as society, this evolving Asian norms?

[11:14 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Putting money vs Morality vs Social acceptance

[11:15 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: "Money never discriminates, people do? "

- - annoymous

[11:15 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ministries-will-have-to-work-through-impact-if-section-377a-is-repealed-shanmugam

[11:17 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Decide by the government mainly bah… like how we kill corals by reclaiming… 

Morality is depends on the society acceptance there is no true right or wrong. It depends on which side you are on and the underlying decision to make it happen.

[11:18 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: How about bi-sexual?

[11:19 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: I don’t really discriminate them… some of LGBTQ friend I knew are quite nice people. 

Is personal choice just like choice of being single.. as long you don’t affect anyone else but yourself…

[11:20 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: There are openly gay celebrities, which still can perform at national level performance. So technically we do accept them for who they are.

[11:21 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Perhaps, should the 377A be rewritten or be refreshed, one major change would be to deter the following behaviors

"coercion" and or "by force" regardless in private or public or overseas!

Next comes the complexity of proving such cases? What are the evidences recognise by the court of law?

[11:22 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: The idea of WILLING party into a contract, can be PRIVATELY arranged, this perhaps, the law can tolerate such cases!

Afterall it is a private affair?

[11:24 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: The tests of REASONABLENESS, CLARITY & ENFORCEABLE

[11:30 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Who are the MORALE AUTHORITY OR MORALE LEADERS?

Are judges, the keeper of laws and rules?

Are policymakers, the keeper of an equitable playing field? 

Are religious leaders, the keeper of faith and beliefs?

Is society, the keeper of norms and rules, rights and wrongs?

Any else left out, pls add on... Thank you!

[11:31 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Parents, the keeper of nurturing?

[11:32 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Finally, unwillingly to brand it, is the LGBT, the keeper to themselves?

[11:39 am, 27/07/2022] +jimmy chew: Maids?

[11:41 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Ok, to include foreign talents and withers too.

Good idea, Jimmy!

[11:41 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Workers and foreign talents.

[11:48 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: England & Wales, the former British colony of Hong Kong, Australia have since repealed laws prohibiting sex between men in 1967, 1991, and 1997 (in the state of Tasmania; the last Australian state to do so) respectively. India's Supreme Court has also decriminalised consensual sex between two people of the same sex in 2018, which is significant as Section 377A of the Penal Code is similar to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.Elsewhere in East and South-east Asia, apart from Singapore, only Myanmar, Malaysia and Brunei, all former British colonies, and recently Indonesia's Aceh province (applicable only to Muslims), continue to criminalise sex between men.

[11:49 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Didn’t know that.. lol so I am still old fashion. 🤣

[11:50 am, 27/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Maybe over time it might be repeal as the society acceptance is higher

[11:51 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Where did 377A come from?

Section 377A was introduced into the Singapore Penal Code in 1938 to criminalise all other non-penetrative sexual acts. It is descended from the Labouchere Amendment.

[11:51 am, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: India:

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is a section of the Indian Penal Code introduced in 1861 during the British rule of India. Modeled on the Buggery Act of 1533, it makes sexual activities "against the order of nature" illegal.

[0:17 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: 27 July, 2022 

Should there be a rewrite or refresh of the 377A, the following are suggestions to consider:

(1) On Coercion-

Regardless of individual or a group. By means of verbal and or written that is (are) expressed via all devices such as digital and or visual and or physical constitute a violation of the "law "?

(2) By force-

Individual or a group. Besides physical acts, to include physical actions and or via digitally, any materials of obscene nature will constitute breaking the "law"?

(3) Soliciting-

An individual or a group or an entity for profit or non-profit. In the event of soliciting for sexual or intimate services via whatsoever ways, all of part of such acts shall fall under the above either one (1) or or two (2) or both laws?

[1:19 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

How can we ensure a healthy discourse between groups when discussing important laws and policies?

To 1st address this question :-

1. Individuals and groups should be allow to express their viewpoints - anchor on facts and good judgement without prejudice.

2. Their viewpoints can be debated in a civilised dialogue - carry out in a civilised way - without resorting to abuse, intimidation, mocking or defamation.

3. As important laws and policies will shape the landscape, social fabric, our ways of lives, economic well beings, social interaction, safety and health of Singapore Society comprising of citizens and residents - hence individuals should have the right to bring forward their viewpoints, facts, or opinion with good judgement without fear or favor for peer discussion and for the Government consideration.

4. REACH Administrator will play an important role as moderator - to ensure REACH discussion is carried out in a manner that is able to gather feedback from participants that will be useful in helping to shape important laws and policies - and benefit the Nation and the population.

[1:19 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: It does help providing the public with a means to offer their thoughts. Perhaps done in a 'private' way so that we avoid spontaneous emotional reactions. Maybe a public survey that can target specific concerns and help people think about their responses through examples. ie Ask people how they feel about LGBTQ issues; and then a follow up question to ask if they are directly affected by LGBTQ issues; and if they have examples of that.

[1:20 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: People often respond emotionally to a subject initially, but on questioning and being required to think it through might often find that it's not a topic that impacts their lives.

[1:21 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Values are important on all sides, but perhaps those peoples whose lives are affected by an issue should have their values prioritised, providing those values do not negatively impact others.

[1:23 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: In the UK a 'civil partnership' was introduced to enable people to effectively marry, but without the full rights of marriage. Perhaps Singapore could look at that option, since Marriage here does impact an ability to buy HDB for example, and some might abuse that privilige. I'm not saying I'm for or against these rules, but I respect them.

[1:26 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Yes, although I think the intention is not to introduce a new law, whilst trying to remove an old one, in order to bring balance. It was an odd decision those years ago to target only men. Throw back to UK law?

[1:27 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Does make Singapore look a bit backward by having a law  like this, but the clear statement is that it's private business and the law won't get involved. It's a good compromise at the moment, but need to keep moving in the right direction.

[1:28 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Yes, very important to welcome and enable religion as a private matter, and not impose on society. In the same way people say LGBTQ is a private thing and shouldn't be imposed on society.

[1:32 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Interesting! Doesn't look good for Singapore when written like these. No mention that it is not enforced here....

[1:34 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/section-377A-does-not-criminalise-gay-sex-purpose-no-longer-exists-argues-former-chief-justice

[1:38 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Section 377A was intended to stop British civil servants visiting male prostitutes: Lawyers

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/section-377a-was-intended-to-stop-british-civil-servants-visiting-male-prostitutes-lawyers

[1:44 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Next I will want to bring forward my viewpoints on the debate of Section 377A.

1. Firstly, I received alot of feedback on this topic from my private chatgroups and want me to help them to bring their viewpoints to REACH for the Government consideration.

My private chatgroups comprise of relatively large groups as they also bring forth the viewpoints from their relatives, friends, colleagues and ex--colleagues - as they felt this issue has a far-reaching impact on the social fabric of our Society.

To note, majority of the viewpoints are secular in nature and based on logical deduction while some are religious in nature.

As our laws and policies are formulated based on secular considerations, hence I will summarise their feedback based on secular logical viewpoints.

2. Man-Woman marriage and union are by the order of Nature - for the purpose of procreation - so as to ensure continuation of Human Civilisation.

Any order contrary to Man-Woman marriage and reproduction - will threaten the existence of Human Civilisation.

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.

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.

[1:59 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1639_2010-01-31.html

[1:59 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Ideally and purposefully, yes, that's correct...

[2:02 pm, 27/07/2022] +REACH: 📢Topic📢

On 23 July, a group of people calling for Section 377A to be kept on the books held an event attended by more than 1,200 people. 

Called the Protect Singapore Townhall, its organisers Jason Wong and Mohamed Khair Mohamed Noor said LGBTQ groups are pushing for changes to law, policy and society beyond 377A. They urged the Government to protect families, marriages and children in the event of repeal. 

Police reports were lodged against the event under the Public Order Act. It was assessed to be a private event that did not require a permit, thus no criminal offence was disclosed. 

LGBTQ groups expressed concern that this would lead to increased harassment against the community. One felt the event aimed to enshrine religious values in law. 

💬 How can we ensure a healthy discourse between groups when discussing important laws and policies?

➡️ Section 377A of the Penal Code is not actively enforced, a position that has been reiterated by the authorities since it was discussed in Parliament in 2007.

➡️ In March, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam said the Government would approach any changes to the law in a way that balances different viewpoints, and avoids a destabilising change in social norms and public expectations. 

➡️ In February this year, the Court of Appeal ruled that the law was retained, but cannot be used to prosecute two consenting male adults engaged in a sexual act in a private place.

➡️ A school counsellor at HCI was recently suspended after showing inaccurate content about the LGBTQ+ community at a sex education talk.

👉🏻 https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/section-377a-review-no-criminal-offence-disclosed-organisers-anti-repeal-protect-singapore-town-hall-says-mha-1952856

👉🏻 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/town-hall-urges-against-repealing-section-377a-without-safeguards-for-marriage-families

[2:04 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Court of Appeal rules Section 377A stays but cannot be used to prosecute men for having gay sex

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/court-of-appeal-rules-section-377a-stays-but-cannot-be-used-to-prosecute-men-for-having-gay-sex

[2:05 pm, 27/07/2022] +Caleb: can stop repot the same msg

[2:05 pm, 27/07/2022] +Caleb: *repost

[2:06 pm, 27/07/2022] +Caleb: or at least put a heading called "repost"

[2:07 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

5. Next I will touch on the safety of the LGBTQ group.

In my opinion and based on what I read about the sexual orientation of the LGBTQ group - their sexual orientation is not by choice - as their biological, psychological orientation is due to birth.

Hence, I respect that all individual right must be protected and not discriminated upon.

This also means that hate speech, discrimination or worst, violence must not be directed towards this group.

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.

b. In case someone say that this is an attack on the LGBTQ group - I have extensively surf the net as well as credible news article send to me to ensure the fact is right --- that AIDS and Monkeypox (95 - 98%) are results of man-man sex.

And the diseases can be spread to other members of the community in a couple of ways. Hence until and unless the health aspect is look into and address, I feel that there is no hurry to repeal 377A.

[2:13 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: 💬 How can we ensure a healthy discourse between groups when discussing important laws and policies? If this is a question being asked in general, rather than specifically about LGBTQ issues, then I think the discourse should be done through online submissions of views which can then be summarised in a non-threatening, not-offensive way and put into context. The problem with in-person events is that the loudest gets heard and the aggressive can intimidate.

[2:13 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: "Think throughly before one's decide to move ahead" 三思后行.

- - Chinese Proverb

[2:17 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Good idea, BL!

Are tge final opinion poll a true representation of us?

What's the scale of such outreach that is to conduct online poll, suggestions or opinions..

三思而后行

[2:17 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: I don't think it matters if a man chooses to love another man, or explore feelings with another man by choice or by genetics. No one is obliged to have kids and human survival is not threatened by this. I don't know if any religion really opposes it, or people have projected that onto a religion. It's sad to hear people's views and how illness can be associated with a gender preference. There is no evidence AIDS came from man-man sex, it just spread easily that way if people were promiscuous.

[2:21 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: I don't understand why some people think that other people in same gender relationships threaten their family, they marriages and their children. If my son choose to be with another man (when he reaches age of consent) I'd be happy he felt free enough to express his feelings and found someone he wants to be with. It's more of a threat to my family that people want to supress this in others.

[2:23 pm, 27/07/2022] +Frankie Wee: But try encouraging him mindset marriage mean for family life new born. 

If he choose it’s ok let him before too late reach age

[2:24 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Yes, I'd like him to have a balanced view and make his choices. Many people are unhappy in family life. Divorce rate is very high.

[2:24 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Interestingly, we don't ban divorce to protect family life.

[2:26 pm, 27/07/2022] +Frankie Wee: Divorce is reason

-Love is no longer 

-Debt issue money

-Affair woman 

-disease (can’t afford treatment)

-other reason

[2:27 pm, 27/07/2022] +Frankie Wee: If there a child would be happy stay family instead divorced. Make child must not spoil as parent having separate

[2:27 pm, 27/07/2022] +Timothy Low: It’s funny that how LGBTs are “threatening” married life, not divorce, having affairs and family violence

[2:29 pm, 27/07/2022] +Frankie Wee: Singapore is not accepted LGBTs marriage 

They may choose go overseas and leave Singapore

[2:35 pm, 27/07/2022] +Frankie Wee: There is a story teller.

When fall in love and start a family after having issue filed divorced. Later 5 or 10 years wife or husband happen to met up and then their feelings regretted for what after divorce never save. 

Other story teller 

After divorced they remarried again then start a new family again. Late 10 years met up ex-wife would feeling glad that life has changed much better than previous.

[2:36 pm, 27/07/2022] +Frankie Wee: For me view that LGBTs has no future about. Same sex without feeling female or male.

[2:48 pm, 27/07/2022] +Sherie: agreed. I have friends who are lgbtq, if they want kids they would adopt or ivf, those that don't are fine with it. the current laws would not encourage lgbtq to marry the opposite sex anyway, u are not going to get births from lgbtq community who does not wish to have kids anyway. end of the day sexuality is determined by genetics. might as well let them be. if u want birth rates to go up might as well revert to the feudal system where parents send their daughters to get married to a suitable suitor so that their daughters could carry on their husbands family line. why should heterosexual couples be allowed to get their chance at free love but our laws continue to deny the same chances to the homosexuals?

[2:48 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

7. The existence of LGBTQ group is the result of Man-Woman sexual union - and no other ways.

[2:49 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Yes, you make lots of good points

[2:50 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: I don't think LGBTQ group have a problem with hetero relationships, and probably appreciate their families the same as anyone else. They are just asking for an equal opportunity to find love and happiness

[2:51 pm, 27/07/2022] +Sherie: agreed

[2:53 pm, 27/07/2022] +Sherie: we are a first world country yet in terms of rights progression for the lgbtq community and condemnation and discouragement of discriminatory behaviour for this community we are not there at all

[2:56 pm, 27/07/2022] +RH: Agreed.

[2:59 pm, 27/07/2022] +Boon: Dear REACH, from my perspectives, SG society is tolerant of LGBTQ+ open relationships. Large companies are also inclusive and individuals around are also tolerant. The key point in your post - that I think is overshadowed by the big words of S377A -  is that the Sg LGBTQ organisers are "...pushing for changes to law, policy and society beyond S377A". This is the crux - what exactly are they pushing for, and therefore, for us here to discuss for awareness and importantly, does this test the boundaries of what should be tolerant/be inclusive about.

[3:02 pm, 27/07/2022] +Sherie: General public being tolerant does not protect the lgbtq community from open discrimination. Laws protect them.

[3:03 pm, 27/07/2022] +Boon: In SG, through a Will, inheritance from a same-sex partner can be achieved. So, are the changes about being advocated for about same sex marriage, adoption and safeguards for children, etc? Knowing the objectives of what the organisers are trying to achieve will be more beneficial to discussions. The society then needs to introspect on a "What If" this situation falls on my family - can I be equally tolerant/inclusive on a personal basis. What is the new boundaries that are being asked of everyone?

[3:03 pm, 27/07/2022] +Boon: Are laws not protecting everyone now?

[3:04 pm, 27/07/2022] +Sherie: For example the general public does not hurt others. But when someone do hurt others they would be prosecuted. You need laws to prosecute someone.

[3:04 pm, 27/07/2022] +Boon: We need laws to protect and deter first, I would think. But yes, there is no argument that we  will also need lawful basis to prosecute those who are harmful to the society.

[3:12 pm, 27/07/2022] +Sherie: Yes, which is why laws have to change to offer protection to this community. Take for example if my child is born differently from others. but because he is born differently,  is it fair for people to call him out and call him names and deny him of opportunities?

[3:13 pm, 27/07/2022] +Sherie: The justice system is designed to deliver “justice for all.” This means protecting the innocent, convicting criminals, and providing a fair justice process to help keep order across the country.

[3:13 pm, 27/07/2022] +Sherie: protecting the innocent is part of a fair justice system

[3:21 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Hi Sherie, a good point raised that is being a "first world" nation... 

There is an old Chinese saying, "when one peals away the banana skin, it still looks pale yellow, the fruits itself...?"

Perhaps taking reference to classical thoughts, a little pinky bit of conservatism in society will do more good than other lesser things.

Secondly, the idea of moderation will path towards peace and in a state of stability. 

These days, the world, many chaos and wars arise because of pride and or ego and or greed and or selfishness that stir the world into a continuous spin of endless troubles.

Hope we see light, that is to moderate whether is tangible and or intangible, this life and our lifetime...

[3:31 pm, 27/07/2022] +Caleb: +1

[3:57 pm, 27/07/2022] +danielhl chua: I do not have a problem with people with their sexual orientation. My question is if the public can accept them displaying their affection in public (eg. Holding hands and kissing etc.)

And if students discovered their sexual orientation when they are schooling, what will be the school stand?

If your son comes back from NS, and tells you that he is attracted to his platoon mate, what would you do? 

The subject of this is definitely deeper than having tolerance with the community. Its about allowing it to be a social norm in our society today.

[3:59 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: Not for me

[4:22 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: You are right that we all have different values. I welcome people to be affectionate with each other. I don't see it as being on display, as if they are doing it for attention. I can choose not to look if it bothers me. Schools should be supportive of their students, and in many ways is it the business of the school, as an education establishment? If my son is attracted to a platoon mate, why would I treat that differently to him being attracted to a colleague at work? Gender is not relevant here. These are my values and I don't expect or ask anyone else to adopt them. Equally I don't expect other people's values to be imposed on my lifestyle either, providing I am not hurting anyone or breaking the law.

[4:45 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Feedback from my group and want me to post this:-

1. This is one of the reason why many who stay neutral are turning negative.

[4:47 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: How do they feel about people displaying their religious beliefs?

[4:48 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Not in public space.

[4:48 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Including their clothes or jewelry?

[4:49 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: ???..

[4:50 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Some people wear clothes that are associated with their religious beliefs. Do your friends object to that too?

[4:50 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Nope - but openly discuss their discourse yes.

[4:54 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: But they do object to 2 men holding hands?

[4:59 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Students in uniform if kissing and intimate is objectionable. Anyway Moe consider it breaking school rules.

 

[5:00 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Our group feels that same sex getting intimate such as kissing, sexual intimacy is also objectionable.

[5:00 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Oh, talking about students. Got it.

[5:01 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

I see foreign Indians holding hands - this is not objectionable to most of us - more like showing brotherhood.

[5:02 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

But if same intimacy are meant for sexual intimacy - we feel that it is objectionable.

It should be done in private space - and not openly display in public which is a common space.

[5:05 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: Agree

[5:06 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: Agree

[5:07 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

If a man touch another man - as brotherhood - we accept it as no offense.

But if another man touch another man without consent for sexual intimacy or gratification - is there any law to state that it is a molest or sexual harassment?

[5:07 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: I believe there is such a law

[5:08 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: Good!

[5:08 pm, 27/07/2022] +Timothy Low: I think the same standards should apply to heterosexual too

[5:09 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: Yes it should.

[5:11 pm, 27/07/2022] +Timothy Low: The thing is what is being done in private space between two men is punishable by 377A (even though it’s not enforced), whereas between two women or man and women or one man with many women or one women with many men is not

[5:12 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: If the law is to remain but not enforced, it is still wrong!

[5:14 pm, 27/07/2022] +Timothy Low: Still wrong for man to have sex with man or wrong for such a unenforceable law to exist?

[5:14 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: Then, there should be no invasion of privacy when enforcing!?

[5:20 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/passengers-molest-grab-driver-cte-2790411

Any views?

[5:20 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: Intoxicated excuse

[5:24 pm, 27/07/2022] +Uncle Law: As much we will respect each other's sexual orientation, non natural family building grp should not be allowed to share values in public. We can accept them as part of society, but shdnt be encouraged.

[5:25 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: Agree

[5:34 pm, 27/07/2022] +Timothy Low: This one regardless of gender also wrong lah

[5:37 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Hi Uncle Law, how are you?

Well said, respect and accept!

[5:38 pm, 27/07/2022] +Uncle Law: Hihi

[5:38 pm, 27/07/2022] +Uncle Law: I'm good

[5:38 pm, 27/07/2022] +Uncle Law: Was busy earlier

[5:38 pm, 27/07/2022] +Uncle Law: Just started reading thru

[5:46 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Additional readings:

The Clash of Civilizations?

by Samuel P. Huntington

Foreign Affairs, 72:3 (Summer 1993), pp. 22-49

CIVILIZATION IDENTITY will be increasingly important in the future, and the world will be shaped in large measure by the interactions among seven or eight major civilizations. These include Western, Confucian, Japanese, Islamic, Hindu, Slavic-Orthodox, Latin American and possibly African civilization. The most important conflicts of the future will occur along the cultural fault lines separating these civilizations from one another.

The people of different civilizations have different views on the relations between God and man, the individual and the group, the citizen and the state, parents and children, husband and wife, as well as differing views of the relative importance of rights and responsibilities, liberty and authority, equality and hierarchy. These differences are the product of centuries. They will not soon disappear...

[5:46 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Stay safe and keep on that active living! Cheers!

[5:59 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Yes, I believe that is consired molestation since it was not consensual

[6:01 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Yes, same standards for all. We should not differentiate. I hope that the standard is of openness and the opportunity to be at ease about showing affection.

[6:03 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: how is it acceptance if they are not allowed to share views?

[6:04 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: what does "non-natural" mean? Surely it is natural, that's the point. If anything a hetro-only society is not natural.

[6:07 pm, 27/07/2022] +Uncle Law: We accept who they are. They shdnt be allowed to encourage

[6:07 pm, 27/07/2022] +Uncle Law: I hv many friends who are G n L, but I don't shuns from them

[6:07 pm, 27/07/2022] +Uncle Law: I respect their choice

[6:11 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: I see.

[6:11 pm, 27/07/2022] +Uncle Law: Sry if it wasn't clear earlier

[6:18 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: LGBT is considered against the course of nature

[6:19 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: Agree

[6:22 pm, 27/07/2022] +BL: Oh, by who?

[6:23 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: The conservative

[6:26 pm, 27/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

By nature.

If put man and man in an island or woman and woman in an island - they will extinct with no offsprings in one generation.

If put man and woman in an islands, producing of offsprings will be possible - and continuation of human civilization is possible.

[6:26 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: Yes

[6:38 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: Hi Mr Rama,

Conservative vs Liberalism

Is it rite to define?

[6:41 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: The latter would be acceptable of lgbt

[6:45 pm, 27/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

[6:50 pm, 27/07/2022] +~N: A place, is either somebody's home or nobody's home. Either the homeowner decides on the house rules, or the house rules decide the home owners

[6:51 pm, 27/07/2022] +Rama: Can be a motel or hotel room too.

[6:59 pm, 27/07/2022] +Smiley face: 27 July, 2022 

To: Our Distinguished Leaders and All Honorable Members 

"The Coming Clash of Choices and Beliefs?" 

Is there an unanswered and ambiguous moral issue with same gender relationship or marriage? Is it a question of conservatism versus liberalism? 

How would friends, family and the larger society view such unique arrangements of human relationship? Who shall be the moral judges to derive a verdict of acceptance, neutrality or unacceptable? 

One thing is sure, all these hidden or open relationships existed for centuries - the world civilisation! 

That's Life:

One important thing is human must learn to accept and adapt to fellow human especially known genetic issues in their DNAs that perhaps skewed out of the norm of being a male or a female? 

All of these living voices (discussions or  complaints or concerns) channel to one, we human are such a diverse species that stakeholders such as societies, policymakers, sociologists and geneticists have accepted the truth and reality, these alternate paths of life (or hidden life 隐藏的生活) !

Importantly, let's all coexist, behave civilly and do not create havoc or break laws. Three rules to consider- be non-extreme, be compassionate and think inclusively! 

Perhaps, such a day, should the 377A be rewritten or be refreshed, one major change would be to deter the following behaviors

"coercion" and or "by force" regardless in private or public or overseas!

Next comes the complexity of proving such cases? What are the evidences recognise by the court of law?

The idea of WILLING party into a contract, can be PRIVATELY arranged, this perhaps, will the law tolerate such cases!

Afterall it is a private affair?

The tests of REASONABLENESS, CLARITY & ENFORCEABILITY? 

Who are the MORAL AUTHORITY OR MORAL LEADERS?

Are judges, the keeper of laws and rules?

Are policymakers, the keeper of an equitable playing field? 

Are religious leaders, the keeper of faith and beliefs?

Is society, the keeper of norms and rules, rights and wrongs?

Parents, the keeper of nurturing?

Finally, unwillingly to brand it, is the LGBT, the keeper to themselves?

What is a "first world" nation? 

There is an old Chinese saying, "when one peals away the banana skin, it still looks pale yellow, the fruits itself...?"

Perhaps taking reference to classical thoughts, a little pinky bit of conservatism in society will do more good than otherwise lesser or harmful consequences? 

Secondly, the idea of moderation will path towards peace and in a state of stability. 

Today's world, many chaos and wars arise because of pride and or ego and or greed and or selfishness that stir the world into a continuous spin of endless troubles.

Hope we see the light, that is to seek MODERATION whether is tangible and or intangible, this life and our lifetime...

Afterwords:

Should there be a rewrite or refresh of the 377A, the following are suggestions to consider:

(1) On Coercion-

Regardless of individual or a group. By means of verbal and or written that is (are) expressed via all devices such as digital and or visual and or physical constitute a violation of the "law "?

(2) By force-

Individual or a group. Besides physical acts, to include digital media of any materials of obscene nature will constitute breaking the "law"?

(3) Soliciting-

An individual or a group or an entity for profit or non-profit. In the event of soliciting for sexual or intimate services via whatsoever ways, all or part of such acts shall fall under the above either one (1) or or two (2) or both laws?

History:

Where did 377A come from?

Section 377A was introduced into the Singapore Penal Code in 1938 to criminalise all other non-penetrative sexual acts. It is descended from the Labouchere Amendment.

India - 

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is a section of the Indian Penal Code introduced in 1861 during the British rule of India. Modeled on the Buggery Act of 1533, it makes sexual activities "against the order of nature" illegal.

England & Wales, the former British colony of Hong Kong, Australia have since repealed laws prohibiting sex between men in 1967, 1991, and 1997 (in the state of Tasmania; the last Australian state to do so) respectively. India's Supreme Court has also decriminalised consensual sex between two people of the same sex in 2018, which is significant as Section 377A of the Penal Code is similar to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.Elsewhere in East and South-east Asia, apart from Singapore, only Myanmar, Malaysia and Brunei, all former British colonies, and recently Indonesia's Aceh province (applicable only to Muslims), continue to criminalise sex between men.

Additional readings:

The Clash of Civilizations?

by Samuel P. Huntington

Foreign Affairs, 72:3 (Summer 1993), pp. 22-49

CIVILIZATION IDENTITY will be increasingly important in the future, and the world will be shaped in large measure by the interactions among seven or eight major civilizations. These include Western, Confucian, Japanese, Islamic, Hindu, Slavic-Orthodox, Latin American and possibly African civilization. The most important conflicts of the future will occur along the cultural fault lines separating these civilizations from one another.

The people of different civilizations have different views on the relations between God and man, the individual and the group, the citizen and the state, parents and children, husband and wife, as well as differing views of the relative importance of rights and responsibilities, liberty and authority, equality and hierarchy. These differences are the product of centuries. They will not soon disappear... 

https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1639_2010-01-31.html  

     - -  in progress - -

[7:00 pm, 27/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

=====

REACH 377 - How do you feel about the monkeypox situation in Singapore? Do you think Singapore is able to manage in the event of a widespread outbreak? What more can be done to ensure that Singaporeans are safe from monkeypox?

(SK)

25 Jul 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:42 am, 25/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10am to 7pm* today. ⏰

House Rules (short version of our Terms of Use) to keep in mind: 

1. Be kind and respectful. We all want to be in a safe space to share our views. 

2. Any and all threatening, abusive, vulgar or racially, religiously and ethnically objectionable content is prohibited.

3. Consider the quiet ones among us and give them a chance to comment.

4. No need to repeat your comment or in different forms (including caps) - we heard you loud and clear the first time.

5. Let’s protect each other’s privacy and keep contact details in this group what it should always be - confidential. 

Full set of Terms of Use: https://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms

We will strive to uphold these rules to ensure this is a safe space for all.

Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies.

The topic will be posted shortly.

Thank you

Megan 😊

[10:00 am, 25/07/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢 

As of 23 July, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared monkeypox as a global health emergency, the WHO’s highest level of alert. There currently has been more than 16k cases across 75 countries this year, a sharp increase from 3000 cases in June. In Singapore, there have only been six cases as of 24 July. It is also noted that there are effective treatments and vaccines for monkeypox, but there are in short supply. 

Experts have differentiated the disease from the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting that monkeypox transmission requires close and prolonged contact with the infected person. Meanwhile, COVID-19 could be transmitted through droplets in the air. Some experts also opined that large scale restrictions are unnecessary in SG at the moment. Instead, some advised that Singapore should focus on targeted testing, better education and surveillance, to curb the spread of the disease. 

💬 How do you feel about the monkeypox situation in Singapore? Do you think Singapore is able to manage in the event of a widespread outbreak? What more can be done to ensure that Singaporeans are safe from monkeypox?

Dr Khoo Yoong Khean, scientific officer at the Centre for Outbreak Preparedness in Duke-NUS Medical School, said that for now, targeted measures such as early testing, isolation of people when infectious, and contact tracing among high-risk populations and close contacts will be the main measures to stop the spread. Those with a travel history from countries with high numbers of cases should also be encouraged to monitor themselves for any symptoms.

Dr Rayner Tan, visiting research fellow at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said members of the public can protect themselves by limiting close contact with those who are symptomatic, and exercising caution in settings that are conducive for skin-to-skin or close face-to-face contact, such as venues with sex on premises or large gatherings like dance parties. He added that those experiencing symptoms of monkeypox, including fever, lesions and blisters, enlarged lymph nodes and exhaustion, should seek immediate medical help.

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/large-scale-restrictions-here-unnecessary-despite-who-declaring-monkeypox-global-emergency-experts

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/world/who-calls-monkeypox-a-global-health-emergency-following-surge-in-cases

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/world/monkeypox-from-beginnings-in-africa-to-global-spread

👉🏼 https://www.moh.gov.sg/diseases-updates/monkeypox

------

[10:27 am, 25/07/2022] +SL: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/infection-control-home.html

[10:30 am, 25/07/2022] +SL: Some advice from CDC that worth sharing with friends. According to cdc website @ 25/7/2022. Monkeypox spread via the following way in USA. 

Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through:

direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids

respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex

touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids

pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta

It’s also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.

Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. People who do not have monkeypox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others. At this time, it is not known if monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.

[10:35 am, 25/07/2022] +SL: Additional Awareness among residents and visitors on medical contact details maybe help.

[10:42 am, 25/07/2022] +SL: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/monkeypox

UK HSA updates on monkeypox

[10:55 am, 25/07/2022] +REACH: Mass vaccination against monkeypox not recommended by MOH after WHO declares it a global health emergency

👉🏼 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/monkeypox-singapore-mass-vaccination-not-recommended-moh-ong-ye-kung-2833131

[11:48 am, 25/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors

We’d love to HEAR MORE from you on today's topic 😊

We have had good feedback and hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!

Megan

[11:50 am, 25/07/2022] +Rama: Will multiple vaccination of COVID-19 along with possible monkey pox result in weakness of our body natural immune system!.?

[0:16 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Monkeypox declared global emergency: Large-scale restrictions in S'pore unnecessary, say experts.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/large-scale-restrictions-here-unnecessary-despite-who-declaring-monkeypox-global-emergency-experts

[0:17 pm, 25/07/2022] +Noraini: 👍

[0:18 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

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.

[0:19 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: https://www.aidsmap.com/news/jul-2022/study-shows-spectrum-monkeypox-symptoms

Predominantly among gay groups.

[0:33 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

2. Also if indeed smallpox vaccination are to be focus on the say group, it must be on a voluntary basis - as the vaccination carry with it side effects.

[0:42 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

3. Since monkeypox transmission are mainly based on sexual activities, close contact and touches on contaminated surfaces - rather than transmitted through the air like covid - mass transmission resulting in pandemic is unlikely to arise.

Hence mass vaccination is not necessary for the entire population.

4. The worried transmission mode is the medical frontline staff.

Hence PPE is important for the frontline staff - if vaccination is not the intended mode of protection in the current situation.

[0:50 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

5. Wonder is there a need to bring back tracetogether apps or tracetogether dongle - since monkeypox transmission is based on close contact - to trace close contact with the infected 🤔.

6. Hmm... Unless the monkey pox infected cases rises phenomenally - and transmission mode is identified as touching contaminated surfaces rather than through sexual activities - than tracetogether will be useful and serve its purposes for contact tracing - to prevent monkeypox spread.

[1:02 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: 25 July, 2022 

To: Our Distinguished MTF and All Honorable Members 

"Today, if there is a handful of cases, be very well prepared for more than 500 cases by December?" - - annoymous 

Monkeypox, Society and Medical:

What are the symptoms of monkeypox? Its seems pretty similar to any viral attacks or covid! What's the preventions? 

What's the incubating period prior to discovery of symptoms and the surfacing of pox? Will SURPRESSING of fever helps to relieve and reduce the pox from flaring up too much? 

Quarantine at medical facility will be a prudent protocol as SHN will only increase the chances of transmission of this disease to family members or loved ones. 

Public awareness of incubation period and thereafter symptoms must be clearly define to avoid misinformation that leads to panic or the larger public behaviors to discriminate people and so on...

Let's plan for it as though it is another disease and NOT branding it as a disease of concern - let it be a disease of awareness and not turning into a big concern!

[1:32 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

"Why it feels like the world is falling apart".

Because 小三灾 are converging in this 贤劫 - which happens once in each generation.

The last one is during WW2.

 https://sg.yahoo.com/style/why-feels-world-falling-apart-112239761.html#:~:text=Reuters-,Why%20it%20feels%20like%20the%20world%20is%20falling%20apart,-Ben%20Farmer

[1:33 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: The coming brutal winter, watch it!

[1:35 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: It is!

[1:35 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Incidentally, why the world is falling apart is human made.

[1:36 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: Yes

[1:52 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

The 3 minor catastrophe （小三灾）that "rock our World" are :-

a. Pandemic

b. Global Climate

c. Human trigger crisis

due to Humanity Greed, Hatred and Ignorance （贪，嗔，痴）.

1. Humanity are inherently Ignorant - by bringing pandemic to ourselves in wrong behavior, destroying forest, carbonising the atmosphere, mass killing of wild lives, animals, invading lands and indulge in land grabs, power struggle etc --- and as human population grows, the destruction to envrionment around us intensify and extensify - triggering crisis of unprecendeted scales ----- pandemic as virus jump hosts from animals to human, human-to-human; drought, flood, catstropic global climate due to mass damage of our living environment and pollution; politicians with ambition trigger war, invading lands, threaten weapons of mass destruction.

2. Humanity are consume by Greed - self-indulgence on wrong behavior, over consumption of materials that resulting in destruction of living environment to keep human lives sustainable.

3. Humanity are inherently kind - but overwhelm by hatred and anger - that when fuel by greed for power and ignorance -- trigger war, killing one another.

This is how in every generation - it is a vicious cycle that degenerate into 3 minor catastrophe （小三灾) at the end of each cycle ---- as Humanity 3 inherent flaws (Ignorance, Greed and Hatred) manifest.

The last being World War 2 - our previous generation - roughly about a century ago.

Now, the next 3 minor catastrophe （小三灾) is converging - as World Population grows into a level (near the end of another vicious cycle) - whereby world resources come under tremendous strain.

[1:55 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. To be precise, 1930 the Deep Depression that trigger World War 2.

2. Now is 2022, 2022 - 1930 = 92 years ago - is coming to 100 years - exactly One Century.

3. Hmm..... about time - the 3 3 minor catastrophe （小三灾) converge......

[2:01 pm, 25/07/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢 

As of 23 July, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared monkeypox as a global health emergency, the WHO’s highest level of alert. There currently has been more than 16k cases across 75 countries this year, a sharp increase from 3000 cases in June. In Singapore, there have only been six cases as of 24 July. It is also noted that there are effective treatments and vaccines for monkeypox, but there are in short supply. 

Experts have differentiated the disease from the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting that monkeypox transmission requires close and prolonged contact with the infected person. Meanwhile, COVID-19 could be transmitted through droplets in the air. Some experts also opined that large scale restrictions are unnecessary in SG at the moment. Instead, some advised that Singapore should focus on targeted testing, better education and surveillance, to curb the spread of the disease. 

💬 How do you feel about the monkeypox situation in Singapore? Do you think Singapore is able to manage in the event of a widespread outbreak? What more can be done to ensure that Singaporeans are safe from monkeypox?

Dr Khoo Yoong Khean, scientific officer at the Centre for Outbreak Preparedness in Duke-NUS Medical School, said that for now, targeted measures such as early testing, isolation of people when infectious, and contact tracing among high-risk populations and close contacts will be the main measures to stop the spread. Those with a travel history from countries with high numbers of cases should also be encouraged to monitor themselves for any symptoms.

Dr Rayner Tan, visiting research fellow at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said members of the public can protect themselves by limiting close contact with those who are symptomatic, and exercising caution in settings that are conducive for skin-to-skin or close face-to-face contact, such as venues with sex on premises or large gatherings like dance parties. He added that those experiencing symptoms of monkeypox, including fever, lesions and blisters, enlarged lymph nodes and exhaustion, should seek immediate medical help.

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/large-scale-restrictions-here-unnecessary-despite-who-declaring-monkeypox-global-emergency-experts

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/world/who-calls-monkeypox-a-global-health-emergency-following-surge-in-cases

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/world/monkeypox-from-beginnings-in-africa-to-global-spread

👉🏼 https://www.moh.gov.sg/diseases-updates/monkeypox

[2:04 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Destined For War by Graham Allison

[2:05 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: The problem comes when it can be infected by recovered person via sex 🤦🏻‍♂️

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna39564

In new guidance released Monday, the U.K. Health Security Agency also recommended that previously infected persons continue to use condoms for a period of eight weeks after the virus has passed, as a precautionary measure.

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/05/31/britain-urges-people-with-monkeypox-to-abstain-from-sex-as-cases-rise.html

[2:08 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: If caught via sex… then people are less likely to report 😅

Due to the stigma that is attached to it now 

Like a new form of STD 😥

[2:09 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Hence tracetogether maybe needed if the reported cases increase phenomenonally.

[2:10 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Errr this gets very personal 😅

[2:11 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Well covid needs tracetogether because it is pandemic.

Whether monkeypox is pandemic - we don't know - unless it warrant.

[2:12 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: I maybe wrong… but there is a chance it can be pandemic level. Due to the underlying stigma and the secrecy. 

😅 hope no round 2 🫠

[2:12 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Just recovered from covid 🫠

[2:12 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Oh dear.

[2:12 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: 11 days positive 🥲🥲

[2:13 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Thought 10 days will turn negative.

[2:13 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Haha…. For me nope.. haven’t check recently… since 7 day discharge

[2:13 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: I test cause need to be negative to go back office

[2:13 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

I see take care.

[2:13 pm, 25/07/2022] +BL: If you are using ART, then wash out the nose very well. Dead virus cells still show as positive.

[2:14 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Having long covid symptoms… 😑 still tasteless

[2:14 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: I did still refuse to go away lol

[2:17 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Refuse to go away 🥹

[2:17 pm, 25/07/2022] +REACH: Dear contributors, please be reminded to post content relevant to the topic.

[2:19 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Very expensive to test… 

If monkey pox comes in do we need to have another test kit at home 😰

[2:20 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Becomes a burden on people… 

$4 to 5 a test… 

It becomes very expensive when 3 to 4 members have to test at once…

[2:21 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Hi Ken,

Don't worry, it may takes up to 10-14 days... Body to body reaction, that's a broad guide line.

[2:21 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid-19-breath-test-breathonix-nus-singapore-lung-cancer-1840826

This one no more news?

[2:21 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Hmmm…

[2:22 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Sometimes it will recover within a few weeks, don't worry!

These are MILD symptoms.

[2:22 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Fever for 1 week 🥵

[2:22 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Will monkeypox transit through SNEEZING?

[2:22 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: With 3 shots… I still like that without can’t imagine 😥

[2:22 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Err like chicken pox

[2:23 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Similar in transmission method

[2:23 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: The problem comes with the sex transmission after recovery 🥵

[2:24 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Did you see doctor for treatment on the symptoms?

It can help to relieve.

[2:24 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Pls SURPRESS IT.....

so long the fever range 37.5 to 38 is ok...

39 and above, do you have ibuprofen 400mg, which is only available through doctor's prescription.

Ibuprofen is a strong suppressor of fever, pain or ache.... Cannot overdose as it msy6 caused kidney problem....

Seek medical experts, that's the best!

[2:24 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Err nope.. since company don’t required it for MC. Just home recovery..

[2:24 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

I see.

[2:25 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: But need to keep testing 🥵 hence I test so many times

[2:25 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: If go back office need to test negative before entering office

[2:26 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Yes I do WFH. 🙄

[2:26 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Suppressing fever is the first step in relieve symptoms as well as stopping further escalating into other issues...

Seek medical help, that's the best opinion!

[2:26 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: No point testing ART, get the fever down, perhaps is the first step.... Hi Ken!

[2:27 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Down already… 

ART is required to WFH. For my company

[2:27 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Not by choice

[2:28 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: That's GOOD!

[2:28 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Thanks for the concern.

[2:28 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Have we not receive thr 10 ART via postman?

[2:28 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Always welcome!

[2:29 pm, 25/07/2022] +KL: Why I suggest vaccinated whole sg as on top of monkey pox it also vaccinated against smallpox :) . The world is not not happy with one another

[2:29 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: When everyone at home test used up very fast… 

And random pockets of people got it… 

So need to test also when exposure 🥵

I have 70 test kit also finish

[2:30 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Think for now they are ramping up the vaccination

[2:30 pm, 25/07/2022] +KL: I think those born ard 1980 not require

[2:30 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Production I mean

[2:30 pm, 25/07/2022] +KL: I also not sure if that cowpox vaccine are lifetime immune

[2:30 pm, 25/07/2022] +KL: I remember it is so it worth it

[2:30 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Err it is if didn’t remember wrongly

[2:31 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: Hence the small pox was completely eliminated

[2:31 pm, 25/07/2022] +KL: Only Swiss have 30 millions and other country like usa

[2:31 pm, 25/07/2022] +KL: It worth it but 10% may have sever reaction

[2:32 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: This tricky Omicron BA5, such that or takes 48 hours to pass onto the next of close kin, csn be colleague or family members...

ART perhaps should be used every other day...

Symptom like body ache, dry and itchy throat or 37.5c are the coming of infection... Prior is incubating period...

This tricky O!

[2:32 pm, 25/07/2022] +KL: It up to the nation decision

[2:33 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Likewise, BA5 early signs can also be monkeypox like !

[2:34 pm, 25/07/2022] +KL: Of course it costly maybe they want to think who should get for free .

[2:34 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: When the first pox out, usually it means fever happened one or two days back...

Pls and pls seek immediate medical interventions....

[2:35 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Don't let these pox FLAR up!

Internal organs at stake!

[2:36 pm, 25/07/2022] +Smiley face: Shingles too!

[3:05 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. According to the medical experts - there is no hurry to give vaccination to those without smallpox vaccination especially younger people born after 1985 - when smallpox vaccination is called off after WHO declare smallpox eradicated.

2. People who get infected by monkey pox can get smallpox vaccination within 4 days to 2 weeks of infection.

3. As the smallpox vaccination have side effects.

And unlike covid when after infection, smallpox vaccination will still be effective - I suggest smallpox vaccination be given as and when needed.

Mass vaccination of the public is not needed - as we don't have sufficient vaccination stock, there are side effects and vaccination can be administered once infection is detected.

[3:07 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Sorry amendment - "infected" to be replaced with "exposure".

[3:10 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. According to the medical experts - there is no hurry to give vaccination to those without smallpox vaccination especially younger people born after 1985 - when smallpox vaccination is called off after WHO declare smallpox eradicated.

2. People who get "exposure" to monkey pox can get smallpox vaccination within 4 days to 2 weeks of "exposure".

3. As the smallpox vaccination have side effects.

And unlike covid when after "exposure", smallpox vaccination will still be effective - I suggest smallpox vaccination be given as and when needed.

Mass vaccination of the public is not needed - as we don't have sufficient vaccination stock, there are side effects and vaccination can be administered once "exposure" is detected.

[3:50 pm, 25/07/2022] +danielhl chua: I am more concerned about the heatwave in Singapore. I hoped more can be done for our workers working outdoors, like legislating mandatory breaks under a shelter, sufficient rest and hydration before more of them sustain heat injury.

[3:51 pm, 25/07/2022] +Noraini: Pls eat more papaya, watermelon, drink barley coconut

[4:02 pm, 25/07/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢 

As of 23 July, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared monkeypox as a global health emergency, the WHO’s highest level of alert. There currently has been more than 16k cases across 75 countries this year, a sharp increase from 3000 cases in June. In Singapore, there have only been six cases as of 24 July. It is also noted that there are effective treatments and vaccines for monkeypox, but there are in short supply. 

Experts have differentiated the disease from the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting that monkeypox transmission requires close and prolonged contact with the infected person. Meanwhile, COVID-19 could be transmitted through droplets in the air. Some experts also opined that large scale restrictions are unnecessary in SG at the moment. Instead, some advised that Singapore should focus on targeted testing, better education and surveillance, to curb the spread of the disease. 

💬 How do you feel about the monkeypox situation in Singapore? Do you think Singapore is able to manage in the event of a widespread outbreak? What more can be done to ensure that Singaporeans are safe from monkeypox?

Dr Khoo Yoong Khean, scientific officer at the Centre for Outbreak Preparedness in Duke-NUS Medical School, said that for now, targeted measures such as early testing, isolation of people when infectious, and contact tracing among high-risk populations and close contacts will be the main measures to stop the spread. Those with a travel history from countries with high numbers of cases should also be encouraged to monitor themselves for any symptoms.

Dr Rayner Tan, visiting research fellow at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said members of the public can protect themselves by limiting close contact with those who are symptomatic, and exercising caution in settings that are conducive for skin-to-skin or close face-to-face contact, such as venues with sex on premises or large gatherings like dance parties. He added that those experiencing symptoms of monkeypox, including fever, lesions and blisters, enlarged lymph nodes and exhaustion, should seek immediate medical help.

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/large-scale-restrictions-here-unnecessary-despite-who-declaring-monkeypox-global-emergency-experts

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/world/who-calls-monkeypox-a-global-health-emergency-following-surge-in-cases

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/world/monkeypox-from-beginnings-in-africa-to-global-spread

👉🏼 https://www.moh.gov.sg/diseases-updates/monkeypox

[4:07 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

People ask what is "exposure" means?

My interpretation of "exposure" could be 2 scenarios:-

1. Expose to monkey pox but not infected.

2. Expose to monkey pox and infected.

Under both circumstances, smallpox vaccination within 4 to 2 weeks will help - if I interpret correctly what the medical experts say.

[4:47 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

4 days to 2 weeks.

[5:12 pm, 25/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors

We understand your concerns about the impact particular individuals are having on the discussion in our REACH chatgroups, and appreciate your concern for your fellow contributors.

We understand that dialogue on social issues can often get heated, and so warnings are first employed to defuse such situations. In recognition of this, we seek your understanding that expulsion is preferred to be kept as a last resort, as we strive to strike a balance between keeping our chats safe and allowing for open discussion.

Nevertheless, rest assured that REACH is keenly aware of individuals who are persistently disrespectful and disruptive, as well as their impact on the chats. We have processes in place to keep track of the official warnings that each contributor receives, and to exercise discretion in removing them from the chatgroups after multiple warnings are not adhered to. We endeavour to apply these processes fairly and consistently for all contributors.

It is our utmost priority to ensure that our chatgroups remain a civil and conducive space for discussion. We thank you for your contributions and hope you will continue to share your feedback moving forward.

Megan

[5:13 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: Finally clarity

[5:13 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: At least now we found that REACH is more present here 🤣

[5:14 pm, 25/07/2022] +REACH: Dear @BL,

It is everyone’s responsibility to make this online space a safe and conducive one for all contributors to share your views and feedback on national issues.

You have breached our Terms of Use (TOU) and are hereby given an official warning. This is your first warning.

👉🏼 Reminder to adhere to our Terms of Use whilst sharing and discussing your views:

"You shall not use the Group to, or when accessing or participating in the Group, shall not:

do anything which may be disruptive of other users’ engagement in the discussion, dialogue or other exchange in the Group, or otherwise act in a manner that negatively affects other participants' user experience and/or ability to engage in real time exchanges;"

Full set of Terms of Use: https://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms

Please be reminded to be respectful and considerate to others in this WhatsApp chat group.

Megan

[5:16 pm, 25/07/2022] +BL: Thanks for the message. In order to understand what terms I breached, please can you post to me privately what I said. Or here if it helps others understand what terms are not to be broken.

[5:18 pm, 25/07/2022] +BL: It's ok I found it. I was called Stupid and responded by highlighting that was Bullying behaviour. I recognised I should have left the response to Reach to deal with, but I noted when they asked people to stop such language, the person said he would continue to say what he liked to who he liked.

[5:18 pm, 25/07/2022] +REACH: Dear @Joseph,

It is everyone’s responsibility to make this online space a safe and conducive one for all contributors to share your views and feedback on national issues.

You have breached our Terms of Use (TOU) as listed below, and despite our multiple reminders and warnings, you have repeatedly breached our Terms of Use. We will be removing you from our chat group.

👉🏼 Terms of Use (TOU) breached:

"You shall not use the Group to, or when accessing or participating in the Group, shall not:

upload, post, transmit or otherwise make available any Content that:

is or may be unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another's privacy, hateful, or racially, religiously, ethnically or otherwise objectionable, irrelevant to REACH's purposes or irrelevant to the existing/ ongoing discussion(s). REACH has the sole discretion to decide if any Content falls within these said categories.

do anything which may be disruptive of other users’ engagement in the discussion, dialogue or other exchange in the Group, or otherwise act in a manner that negatively affects other participants' user experience and/or ability to engage in real time exchanges;”

Full set of Terms of Use: https://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms

REACH

[5:20 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: Megan, this should have been mentioned much earlier!

[5:20 pm, 25/07/2022] +BL: I believe this is the third time he has been asked to stop inciting others on this thread. I will not engage with this person any longer because he has many times become quite offensive. You don't need to worry about me reacting to him any more.

[5:21 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: 😲😯😞🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[5:22 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: 🤷🏻‍♂️ I also don’t know… 

Lol end up the rest kena 😑

[5:22 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: 😲😯🤣😂😅

[5:34 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: You might want to send your part that you said. Screen cap and send to them. 

Cause they can’t comb everything in the chat that has happen. If you want to fight your case. 

If not just move on. When anyone gets emotional will lose your case. 

If the negative affected you better to leave, sometimes letting go also happier for yourself. 

For me being here just to see what’s going on in the community. And contribute or see what we can share on our part and views. 

This is like a active forum for people to share their views in hope that is gets reflected back up the chain.

[5:36 pm, 25/07/2022] +Ken Loh: I may or may not agree with REACH decision, but someone have to be admin and do something about the it.

[5:40 pm, 25/07/2022] +BL: Yes, I accept the warning and understand my response was not appropriate, despite the provocation. I'm not here to argue, but to learn and contribute to the topics.

[5:42 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: Move on

[5:59 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: Not surprising at all!

An NUS Business School visiting professor made the news recently after fact-checking from the public revealed that her doctorate degree is from a fake university in Europe. 

The trouble started when Peking University professor Chen Chunhua claimed to be a “military adviser” for Huawei, but the company issued a public statement denying this.

https://theindependent.sg/nus-removes-profile-of-visiting-professor-in-hot-water-over-fake-degree-and-after-huawei-denies-shes-a-military-adviser-for-the-company/

[5:59 pm, 25/07/2022] +BL: Yes, that is what I said! I have moved on.

[6:06 pm, 25/07/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢 

As of 23 July, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared monkeypox as a global health emergency, the WHO’s highest level of alert. There currently has been more than 16k cases across 75 countries this year, a sharp increase from 3000 cases in June. In Singapore, there have only been six cases as of 24 July. It is also noted that there are effective treatments and vaccines for monkeypox, but there are in short supply. 

Experts have differentiated the disease from the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting that monkeypox transmission requires close and prolonged contact with the infected person. Meanwhile, COVID-19 could be transmitted through droplets in the air. Some experts also opined that large scale restrictions are unnecessary in SG at the moment. Instead, some advised that Singapore should focus on targeted testing, better education and surveillance, to curb the spread of the disease. 

💬 How do you feel about the monkeypox situation in Singapore? Do you think Singapore is able to manage in the event of a widespread outbreak? What more can be done to ensure that Singaporeans are safe from monkeypox?

Dr Khoo Yoong Khean, scientific officer at the Centre for Outbreak Preparedness in Duke-NUS Medical School, said that for now, targeted measures such as early testing, isolation of people when infectious, and contact tracing among high-risk populations and close contacts will be the main measures to stop the spread. Those with a travel history from countries with high numbers of cases should also be encouraged to monitor themselves for any symptoms.

Dr Rayner Tan, visiting research fellow at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said members of the public can protect themselves by limiting close contact with those who are symptomatic, and exercising caution in settings that are conducive for skin-to-skin or close face-to-face contact, such as venues with sex on premises or large gatherings like dance parties. He added that those experiencing symptoms of monkeypox, including fever, lesions and blisters, enlarged lymph nodes and exhaustion, should seek immediate medical help.

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/large-scale-restrictions-here-unnecessary-despite-who-declaring-monkeypox-global-emergency-experts

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/world/who-calls-monkeypox-a-global-health-emergency-following-surge-in-cases

👉🏼 https://www.straitstimes.com/world/monkeypox-from-beginnings-in-africa-to-global-spread

👉🏼 https://www.moh.gov.sg/diseases-updates/monkeypox

[6:10 pm, 25/07/2022] +REACH: Monkeypox: MOH reaching out to ‘at-risk population’, including those engaging in high-risk sexual activities

👉🏼 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/monkeypox-moh-reaching-out-risk-population-including-those-engaging-high-risk-sexual-activities-2833721

[6:11 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

This should be the right approach.

Focus on the at risk group.

[6:11 pm, 25/07/2022] +Umar M: I sincerely think REACH should adopt a Zero Tolerance approach to cyber bullying, insults and derogatory or coarse and vulgar language in this group.

We have more than 200 members who contribute positively to every topic put forth.

It's a sickening pattern that a minority start cursing the Government, its Policies or some random organisation or individual (with no context) which pollutes the intellectual discourse taking place. 

It's very distracting and frankly, turns off many of us from engaging in an honest discussion.

[6:11 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: Can aids test centres assist!?

[6:15 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Not sure AIDS centres or the ncid who are experts in pandemic is the right agencies to tackle the monkeypox.

Probably MOH will be the best avenue to advise.

[6:16 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: Agree

[6:23 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Because AIDS are mainly transmitted through sexual activities and blood transfusion and even through mother passing to foetal.

But monkeypox in addition to sexual activities and close contact, can also be transmitted via contaminated surfaces or through probably coughing or sneezing (suspected, not confirmed yet) - through prolong exposure.

Hence ncid maybe more experience in handling monkey pox as opposed to AIDS centres - due to the possibilities of transmission through contamination and not purely sexual activities or blood transfusion.

[6:24 pm, 25/07/2022] +SL: This seems appropriate and informative to the relevant stakeholders. It will be helpful

[6:24 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: Awaiting update

[6:24 pm, 25/07/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

But still MOH is best agency to advise.

[6:29 pm, 25/07/2022] +SL: Medical contact detail and emergency contact available for Transit Visitors from high outbreak areas for self-reading before or after entering Singapore may also be helpful.

[6:34 pm, 25/07/2022] +SL: Glad to hear govt have taken preemptive action to create awareness among stakeholders to manage this potential risk with foresight. Our govt is the best 👍

[6:35 pm, 25/07/2022] +Rama: Agree

[6:45 pm, 25/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

[6:59 pm, 25/07/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

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