Wednesday, December 9, 2020

REACH 174 - Royal Caribbean cruise ship infection (SK)

09 Dec 2020 (11am - 7pm)


REACH

[10:10 am, 09/12/2020] +: Royal Caribbean cruise ship returns to S'pore after passenger tests positive for Covid-19

Royal Caribbean cruise ship Quantum of the Seas arrived in Singapore on Wednesday (Dec 9) after turning back on day three of a four-day cruise to nowhere due to a confirmed Covid-19 case on board.

More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/suspected-covid-19-case-on-royal-caribbean-cruise-to-nowhere-ship-returns-to-singapore-mid

+ changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group.


REACH

[11:07 am, 09/12/2020] +: Dear contributors,

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[11:08 am, 09/12/2020] +: LAI MEGAN 

We worried how come those not in close contact still can balik 

Cannot say let them mix around then after 14 days then check back ma 

Later 一发不可攢拾 how?

[11:11 am, 09/12/2020] +: Agree, why take the risk leh...

[11:11 am, 09/12/2020] +: UPDATE: Royal Caribbean passengers who were not in close contact with the Covid-19 case can leave the ship when disembarking starts. 

They can proceed with their usual activities but will have to take a swab test at the end of a 14-day monitoring period, says MOH. https://str.sg/JakG

Stay in the know:

https://t.me/TheStraitsTimes

[11:12 am, 09/12/2020] +: Once again, MOH is SLOW in communication

[11:12 am, 09/12/2020] +: Gov.sg no communication

[11:12 am, 09/12/2020] +: I hope gahmen revises its internal policy of relying on MSM to disseminate information 

If not, what is gov.sg for?

[11:13 am, 09/12/2020] +: MOH need to reach MCI. then MCI pass down

[11:13 am, 09/12/2020] +: 🀣

[11:13 am, 09/12/2020] +: hmmm think there are protocols have been established beforehand, and emergency response plans have been activated?

[11:14 am, 09/12/2020] +: Even so, those are just so-called adequate measures 

It should've been stricter

[11:14 am, 09/12/2020] +: I agree as well. There’s too much risk involved.

[11:15 am, 09/12/2020] +: stricter in what way?

[11:15 am, 09/12/2020] +: Is MOH contact trace the person activities before boarding the ship?

[11:16 am, 09/12/2020] +: Like testing them ALL before letting them disembark, regardless of whether they were in close contact with the infected person

[11:16 am, 09/12/2020] +: They should at least implement all much have TT app or token.

[11:16 am, 09/12/2020] +: or not

[11:16 am, 09/12/2020] +: This is a very interesting test case to see the testing, contact tracing works. The ship represent a smaller version of close community.

[11:17 am, 09/12/2020] +: Do they have SE for different sections onboard the cruise? 

After all it's like a mini city onboard

[11:17 am, 09/12/2020] +: Government should be very transparent on what happened in the ship, the safety procedure taken

+left

[11:18 am, 09/12/2020] +: On one hand, govt's messages to the public has been to take Covid seriously. How does this gel with MOH's permissibility that the rest of the cruise passengers can go about their normal activities after disembarking - despite precedences that enclosed space allow Covid to spread fast, it may not be realistic that people practice real social distancing in a cruise ship, and infected Covid humans may not immediately show symptoms. What's the trade-off here?

[11:24 am, 09/12/2020] +: Trade off is as much as possible back to normal if not many industries will just no long exist. Transport hub we have to have people traveling here

[11:25 am, 09/12/2020] +: I guess the ship is like a building.

[11:26 am, 09/12/2020] +: I think the trade-off points to how MOH handles the situation, rather than why we had the cruise in the first place 

I understand it's needed to boost the economy so now we want to know why MOH's stance is let them go back and self-monitor

[11:26 am, 09/12/2020] +: I dont disagree with you. I think there is a moral hazzard issue in this case. I go play. Get Covid. Pass to you who have been staying safe. Who pays for your medical?

[11:26 am, 09/12/2020] +: So only those in the same shop or fnb need to be on SHN?

[11:26 am, 09/12/2020] +: But soul garden reopen the following day after cleaning

[11:26 am, 09/12/2020] +: Agreed. What is the policy i.e. how would this situation be handled is important.

[11:27 am, 09/12/2020] +: "Pandemic safety measures include pre-boarding testing for passengers. Mask wearing is mandatory and passengers must have the Trace Together mobile application or token on their person at all times."

Based on article, have leh

[11:27 am, 09/12/2020] +: I mean for the next 14 days when they roam around in Sg

[11:27 am, 09/12/2020] +: What's the topic ah

[11:27 am, 09/12/2020] +: Yup!

[11:27 am, 09/12/2020] +: i see

[11:27 am, 09/12/2020] +: The Cruise case

[11:27 am, 09/12/2020] +: The Cruise case

[11:27 am, 09/12/2020] +: Ya ah dw them later pa pa zao everywhere

[11:28 am, 09/12/2020] +: I think MOH guidelines of SHN is close contact of at least 30 mins

[11:28 am, 09/12/2020] +: Posted from REACH?

[11:28 am, 09/12/2020] +: This is likely another potential explosion case like the past dorm situation. Plus those who are on board the cruise were tested beforehand and thought that they were all free from covid, so pretty sure all were complacent and not entirely following SMM measures.

[11:28 am, 09/12/2020] +: Hahaha did you happen to type the same thing with the same capitalisation πŸ˜‚

[11:28 am, 09/12/2020] +: So waiter don't have close contact.

[11:28 am, 09/12/2020] +: The next 14 days will be crucial

[11:28 am, 09/12/2020] +: Yes, think they understand we are all very anxious about this

[11:28 am, 09/12/2020] +: πŸ˜†

[11:28 am, 09/12/2020] +: The thing is this is not gonna end... even with vaccine. Just face the fact. It will be like any other flu.

[11:29 am, 09/12/2020] +: We don't have social distancing requirements with flu!

[11:29 am, 09/12/2020] +: With teeth drop out of nowhere. Lol

[11:29 am, 09/12/2020] +: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/26/health/covid-teeth-falling-out.html

[11:29 am, 09/12/2020] +: Actually some auto have hahaha 

A-CHOO! Even before COVID, everyone siam you πŸ˜‚

[11:34 am, 09/12/2020] +: MOH got no press release. https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/

[11:35 am, 09/12/2020] +: The infected pax haven't take the serology test. 

 Could be a past infection ya

[11:47 am, 09/12/2020] +: I'm not sure, but isn't one of the pre-trip tests a serology test? I think there are 2, one to be taken 3 days before and one at the point of boarding. I had the impression the one to be taken 3 days prior include serology


[11:48 am, 09/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Don't know how stringent they do SafeEntry and tracetogether on the ship - to determine close contact.

If there are slippage and some close contact are not identified, then infection could spread.


[11:50 am, 09/12/2020] +: IMHO, the other passengers shouldn't be allowed to disembark freely. At the very least, there should be a SHN of at least 5 days just so that we don't run the risk of community spread. Just because there's no close contact and everyone wearing masks doesn't mean they can't pick up the virus through surfaces and touching their masks/faces.

[11:51 am, 09/12/2020] +: Yes! By now a bit too late to contain already 

Sadly this is another case of gahmen never think properly


[11:53 am, 09/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Also the infected person may visit toilet,  eat and drink, touch other surfaces.

Wonder how stringent and thoroughness is the disinfection process?


[11:53 am, 09/12/2020] +: Need to pick up next incoming group for the cruise. Important the risk is reduced

[11:57 am, 09/12/2020] +: So the message is "go out, do whatever you want, as long as you're not deemed a close contact, you won't kena the troublesome SHN." What kind of message is this for the rest of us who are proceeding with caution and choosing to suppress our own wanderlust for the greater good? Are we supposed to throw that caution to the wind and just go since garmen say never mind?

[0:00 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Even if not close contact, Covid is known to stay on surfaces, which can be passively picked up on the ship

[0:00 pm, 09/12/2020] +: ‘Definitely I’ll go again’: Some Royal Caribbean passengers say no regrets going on cruise that was cut short by COVID-19 case

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-royal-caribbean-cruise-passengers-positive-test-13732850

Eh seriously........

[0:05 pm, 09/12/2020] +: "No regrets": this is the kind of mentality that we can't encourage. It's essentially saying high risk high return. Even if your first bet failed and someone onboard kena, you can still bet on not being listed as close contact. Why are we encouraging this kind of punters' mentality omg...

[0:05 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Outbreak of salmonella and stomach flu at Newton pre-school, 3 kids hospitalised:: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/outbreak-salmonella-and-stomach-flu-newton-pre-school-3-kids-hospitalised?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=addtoany

[0:06 pm, 09/12/2020] +: agree


[0:12 pm, 09/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Thought it will be safer if all are tested before releasing them into the community.


[0:18 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Oh, and it's reported that the passengers allowed to disembark will be contacted for testing 1 week later and it seems that the testing fees will be borne by the State? Why should taxpayers have to bear the cost?

[0:20 pm, 09/12/2020] +: All of the passengers were wearing contact tracing wrist bands so they know who came into contact and who did not.

[0:25 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas is still set to sail on Dec 10, the company says. This is after a COVID-19 patient was detected on board today and the cruise had to return to Singapore ahead of schedule.

These are the measures it’s undertaking to keep passengers and crew safe: https://cna.asia/2K0wTxg

[0:28 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Odd, were there tests being  done daily on board, or were they still waiting for results when the boat disembarked?

[0:30 pm, 09/12/2020] +: True, seems they are scared of putting people off going on cruises...

[0:31 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Except 10 time more deadly and 100 times more infectious?

[0:33 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Agreed. Shd test b4 let them disembark. Like that no shn etc.. Wabder ard.. Later firm cruise community

[0:35 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Yeah.

[0:35 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Are they...?

[0:36 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Common surfaces. Like that a lot of close contact..

[0:37 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Seems really odd not to test and do a SHN until results are goven

[0:37 pm, 09/12/2020] +: *given


REACH

[0:37 pm, 09/12/2020] +: πŸ“’ Topic πŸ“’ 

Singapore can play a critical role in distributing vaccines to the region as an air cargo hub, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) on Tuesday (Dec 8). 

“We are able to handle not only vaccine shipments to Singapore for our own needs, but also transshipments to Singapore for distribution to the rest of the region.”

πŸ’¬ What do you think of Singapore’s move to position itself as a hub to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to the region?

The airport authority highlighted that the airport’s cargo handlers, dnata and SATS, have been investing in cold chain infrastructure and equipment over the years to support transportation of temperature-controlled cargo.

Vaccines require cold chain transportation as some of them need to be kept at specific temperatures. It ensures that the vaccines will remain unspoilt as they get from where they are being manufactured to where they will be administered - hospitals and clinics.

πŸ‘‰ https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-air-cargo-hub-covid-19-vaccines-changi-airport-caas-13725180


[0:40 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Now still can turn back anot? 

Why wait till potentially spread then test? Who's genius idea?

[0:40 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Right move to give our aviation hub a boost and stamp our status around the world.

[0:42 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Then for those who blindly follow gahmen one my word to you is, don't 

We have our own brains to think, that's why we have countless things to give feedback about 

Sometimes gahmen also blindsided but that's where we come in and comment and put them back on track πŸš‡

[0:44 pm, 09/12/2020] +: I think cleaners got high risk of getting covid-19. Based on so many cases in SG already. 

Maybe this group should get vaccine first, after healthcare workers got it.

[0:44 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Clever turnaround

[0:51 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Yes: "Each guest will be provided with a wearable device that allows rapid tracing in the event it is necessary."

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/sgp/en/faq/questions/how-does-contact-tracing-work

[0:52 pm, 09/12/2020] +: No change in school fees for Singaporeans, PRs and ASEAN students next year: MOE https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/no-change-school-fees-singaporeans-prs-asean-students-moe-13733168#.X9BXwNqhMBo.whatsapp

[0:53 pm, 09/12/2020] +: But what is the point of having tracing in that case?

If person tests positive for Covid, do we close every lift, bus, MRT that they have touched in the proceeding few days? Or test everyone who has subsequently travelled in/on that lift, bus, MRT?  No.  Because we have contact tracing apps and wrist-bands to avoid that.

[0:54 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Ahem

[0:54 pm, 09/12/2020] +: This cruise is isolated environment 

You can't just compare that to PT

[0:54 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Is a chance thing... you can’t just clean up everywhere the person walk pass lol

[0:56 pm, 09/12/2020] +: ??

[0:56 pm, 09/12/2020] +: So is MRT and bus

[0:56 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Nope

[0:56 pm, 09/12/2020] +: This cruise isn't as typical as a mode of journey as PT is

[0:56 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Does this help? https://www.royalcaribbean.com/sgp/en/faq/questions/how-is-air-circulated-and-filtered-onboard

[0:59 pm, 09/12/2020] +: πŸ‘ŒπŸ‘

[1:00 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Don't is two words.

[1:00 pm, 09/12/2020] +: I wasn't referring to air circulation

[1:00 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Don't try to be funny

[1:02 pm, 09/12/2020] +: On the topic of surface contamination, there are sprays out there that coats the surfacr

[1:02 pm, 09/12/2020] +: sdst

[1:02 pm, 09/12/2020] +: I think the ship interiors should be coated with them

[1:02 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Sdst pro*

[1:02 pm, 09/12/2020] +: No need so exact with the name anyway

[1:02 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Sdst is the weaker version

[1:03 pm, 09/12/2020] +: But my opinion ah

[1:04 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Goverbment can try to coat the whole country, but if individuals dont practise good personal hygiene, it is still useless

[1:12 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Easy to read comparison between the 4 main vaccines. I note that singapore choice, Moderna, is nearly SG$90 per person, but likely the most effective.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-55212787


[1:19 pm, 09/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

1. SIA have good track record of transporting and distributing vaccines that requires very stringent temperature control at very low temperature.

2. Very few other airlines have such cap.

3. Thus SIA role in transporting and distributing vaccines via Changi airport from US and EU to other parts of the world - will reinforce Singapore Changi airport as a irreplaceable airhub.

4. This may ramp up our cargo freight many fold as we are waiting for passengers travel to pick up.


[1:20 pm, 09/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

With no domestic air travel, vaccines distribution will help to mitigate our lost in international travelling.


[1:26 pm, 09/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

1. This cruise infection is not something unexpected- as we open up slowly and carefully for cruise business - to keep the tourism sector going.

2. However, when unfortunate event such as this infection occur, stringent procedure that are put in place must be activated to arrest the infection and prevent it from spreading.

3. When this is done, and we are confident that infection can be arrested and prevent from spreading to the community, we must continue to open up the cruise carefully and ensure all safeguard are put in place.

[1:30 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Singapore’s potential to perform this well & within safety standards is highly recognised.


[1:31 pm, 09/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Balancing public health and ensuring economic activities - is a fine balancing act - to ensure public safety while ensuring people continue to have business and jobs.

With all the experience, knowledge and technology in controlling the pandemic behind us, we can put them into good use - to balance public health and economic activities.

This will have to go on - until mass vaccination starts.

I feel that we can achieve this.


[1:31 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Transference of virus can still occur over different surfaces on the cruise ship. Everyone on board should be suspected covid patient.

[1:35 pm, 09/12/2020] +: how about soul garden case? those in there at the same period did not get SHN.

[1:35 pm, 09/12/2020] +: the cleaners and workers in the mal, were not tested or on SHN too

[1:41 pm, 09/12/2020] +: No news about tat one liao is it


[1:51 pm, 09/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/in-covid-19-milestone-for-west--britain-starts-mass-vaccination-13726444                                                                                                                        UK is the 1st in the World to start mass vaccination (outside trial).


[2:04 pm, 09/12/2020] +: - Women must not breastfeed or get pregnant for 2 months after immunization 

- Children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should not be immunized 

- Effects on fertility are unknown.

https://www.naturalnews.com/2020-12-08-pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-no-breastfeeding-getting-pregnant.html

[2:06 pm, 09/12/2020] +: On LIFESG app

[2:07 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Till date no reply or change being made on the app.

[2:07 pm, 09/12/2020] +: I hope is a mistake in puting the wrong url. And not staff who misunderstood.

[2:08 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Thanks for sharing!

[2:14 pm, 09/12/2020] +: School fees unchanged for S'poreans, PRs next year; small rise for non-Asean foreign students

The Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Wednesday (Dec 9) it will not be making any changes to school fees for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and students from Asean.

More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/school-fees-unchanged-for-spore-citizens-prs-next-year-small-rise-for

[2:16 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Err off topic

[2:20 pm, 09/12/2020] +: 2 Billion Doses in 2021, will vaccinate 1 billion people. Far short of the 5 billion+ required for Herd Immunity. Likely to need to wear masks until full vaccination is complete. So, let's plan for 3 years more of this across the world, BUT if Singapore can complete vaccinations next year (200,000 jabs per week required) then maybe 2022 will start to look different.

[2:22 pm, 09/12/2020] +: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-pfizer-vaccine-legal-indemnity-safety-ministers-b1765124.html?amp

I wonder if we also did the same for getting it so fast?

[2:28 pm, 09/12/2020] +: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/royal-caribbean-covid-19-case-not-unexpected-chan-chun-sing-13733690

[2:28 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Well done. πŸ‘

[2:39 pm, 09/12/2020] +: In the US, all vaccine manufacturers are exempted from legal action. Any vaccine injuries the injured party has to sue the government.

In Singapore, Sanofi Pasteur withheld safety information for Dengvaxia and was never prosecuted by our G. Instead, HSA scientists (paid for by taxpayers) have to help them amend the package insert.

[2:39 pm, 09/12/2020] +: we are expecting up to 30 cases per day

[2:40 pm, 09/12/2020] +: ?

[2:45 pm, 09/12/2020] +: 😱😨 no legal protection for citizens!?

[2:46 pm, 09/12/2020] +: https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/dont-get-hung-up-over-when-phase-3-will-happen

Singaporeans have already been warned to be mentally prepared that the number of community cases will rise - possibly up to the 30s - when measures are eased further.

[2:49 pm, 09/12/2020] +: The citizens have to sue the government coz their government indemnify the vaccine manufacturers. They have to prove that the injury or death is caused by the vaccine. The court cases can go on for years. Only a minority won their cases.

[2:50 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Big pHARMa 😬

[3:05 pm, 09/12/2020] +: I believe if u choose to vaccinate yourself w this new vacine, before u hv it, you may be asked to sign a consent form to waive them for any possible liabilities.

[3:08 pm, 09/12/2020] +: It is similar to taking part in some dangerous sports. As this mement, we all know that the approval of these vacines r fast track. It may or may not work, it may or may not hv side effects. U just hv to keep your fingers crossed😜 if u want to try it.

[3:14 pm, 09/12/2020] +: So meaning since these Covid 19 vaccines are fast tracked and have no long term safety record, our G and employers have no right to enforce mandatory vaccinations on us?

[3:17 pm, 09/12/2020] +: What about the mandatory vaccines all of us have to take during our childhood? If someone in a rare case gets injured or killed, who is liable? Also, when parents of children or adults go for vaccination, are they truly given sufficient information for them to give informed consent, or are they just told: “It is safe!”

[3:18 pm, 09/12/2020] +: I will wait for one more year before thinking of taking this COVID-19 vaccine.

[3:21 pm, 09/12/2020] +: πŸ˜žπŸ˜ŸπŸ˜”

[3:21 pm, 09/12/2020] +: It depends on whether one injury or death was attributed solely to the vaccine or if there was any human negligence involved in the administration

[3:22 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Unless there are agreements with all countries that we can travel freely with any market Covid-19 vaccines. Then I will think about taking one with most successful rate 6 months later or at least 1/5 of the population take vaccines.

[3:30 pm, 09/12/2020] +: If injury or death is solely due to the vaccine? Who is liable? Or are we just the collateral damage with no party liable?

[3:35 pm, 09/12/2020] +: It depends on your cause of action. If it's negligence, then it's a question whether the pharma company was negligent in the development of the vaccine or whether they've done everything reasonably expected, but just so happened that the person vaccinated fell within that tiny percentage where things went horribly wrong. There's also the issue of how the vaccine was administered. Was there a medical condition known to the patient/parents and the attending physician where the vaccine shouldn't have been administered to this class of patients and if so, the liability shouldn't fall to the pharma company but to the physician or even on the patient or parents for not informing the physician of the known condition

[3:36 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Singapore Flyer launches Time Capsule attraction

The Singapore Flyer on Wednesday (Deb 9) unveiled its new Time Capsule attraction, aimed at providing visitors a "multi-sensory journey" of Singapore’s 700-year history.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-flyer-time-capsule-attraction-robot-13733984

[3:36 pm, 09/12/2020] +: On TraceTogether-only SafeEntry, when gov is going to start communicating to Building owners on this?

[3:37 pm, 09/12/2020] +: better start now

[3:37 pm, 09/12/2020] +: and not few days before going to implement it

[3:43 pm, 09/12/2020] +: So if the patient is healthy and has no known medical condition and is one of the rare ones that suffer injury or death and the vaccine manufacturer has done everything according to peocedure, the patient is simply a collateral damage? Even in cases of mandatory vaccination or the doctor simply says “it is very safe” and did not show the patient the package insert? For the “it is very safe” cases, the doctor can simply get away with “oh, this injury or death case is so rare, I’ve never encountered it before.”

[3:47 pm, 09/12/2020] +: In a case like Dengvaxia where the manufacturer withheld safety information, why was it not prosecuted? Do we have to wait for an actual injury to occur before we take action? Or can any action be taken at all?

[4:08 pm, 09/12/2020] +: From what I know if the Dengvaxia issue, the risks were uncovered by the manufacturer after a longer period of study and research and the risks were updated accordingly. I'm not sure what liability you're seeking here for a company which is seeking continued research, or are you proposing that vaccines should be rolled out only after a very extended period of study and guaranteed 100% safe for everybody and for any medical condition, known or unknown.

[4:12 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Dengvaxia was rolled out to Philippines and a few children became very ill and some of them died. After that Sanofi Pasteur announced that the vaccine can only be used for those who already had dengue before. After Singapore heard the news, some doctors were so shocked they refused to use the vaccines after that. HSA then ‘helped’ Sanofi Pasteur to update the package insert with the new information. So Sanofi Pasteur in this case did not withhold information?!?

[4:39 pm, 09/12/2020] +: There is no way to know all the risks associated with any drug or vaccine. There are certain segments of the population who will react badly to them. That is why we have long term drug safety surveillance. HSA has the mandate to take drug safety data Ave update package inserts. It's not a favour to the drug companies it is for doctors and patients to be able to make informed decisions regarding risks and benefits.

[4:43 pm, 09/12/2020] +: The point of vaccine now is to ensure we are safe. But if you don’t travel often I really don’t think we need just wear mask and maintain hygiene.

I would wait till it is more stable or when higher population have taken over a long period of time for such a rush up vaccine

[4:44 pm, 09/12/2020] +: All drugs and vaccine have risk is just how often the side effects presented itself then the benefit of vaccination against the disease. 

So unless mandatory I think I will hold for a while and just keep social contact minimum

[4:46 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Dengvaxis is not in the list of National Adult Immunisation Schedule πŸ‘

https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/163/vaccinate?utm_source=google&utm_medium=sem&utm_campaign=fy20-immunisation-campaign&utm_content=generic&gclid=CjwKCAiAiML-BRAAEiwAuWVggj4IJmwKWUrpvPIpe2LAwduKPZMgbm4ly9yNZQ0Sw1530wkvmrOuNBoC_jEQAvD_BwE

[4:50 pm, 09/12/2020] +: hope Gov will allow us to use medisave for COVID-19 vaccine

[4:52 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Top public servant in statutory board acquitted of 5 molest charges against colleagues, convicted of one https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/public-servant-statutory-board-molest-charges-13734388#.X9CQU8YBSfM.whatsapp

[4:54 pm, 09/12/2020] +: 67 still working should be quite high up

[4:58 pm, 09/12/2020] +: In the case of Dengvaxia, were the patients given the necessary information to make informed decision? No. Were the doctors provided with necessary information to give the correct recommendation to the patient? No. 

When the vaccinated children became ill with dengue and some children died, Sanofi very quickly made the announcement that the vaccine should only be dosed to those who had already contracted with dengue before. This is not the result of manufacturer doesn’t know what’s wrong, or the manufacturer over time has more data to adjust changes. In this case they knew about it and withheld the information.

I’m asking in this case of deliberately withholding information from HSA and the doctors, should the drug companies be held liable, even when we ar…

[5:02 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Yup

[5:05 pm, 09/12/2020] +: https://mothership.sg/2020/12/nus-new-bacteria-sewage-treatment/

[5:16 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Just to be clear- no one died from the vaccine. They died from symptoms related to dengue and other underlying conditions. It was a political and PR issue - dengvaxia still remains approved in all the developed countries. There was no hiding of phase 3 clinical trial data - that is available to all regulators who choose to approve a vaccine. Again, side effects are often not known post clinical trials until the drug or vaccine are deployed in the larger population. Once these rare adverse events are known, the approvals/inserts/risks are adjusted accordingly. You should still consider that vaccine if you've gotten dengue once before. The risks of the vaccine could outweigh risks of multiple dengue infections especially if you are older etc. 

Same for montel…

[5:26 pm, 09/12/2020] +: No one died from Dengvaxia? Wrong. Some children in Philippines died. That’s why some doctors here have decided not to use the vaccine at all. A friend of mine had dengue twice. Her doctor informed her about the vaccine. To her surprise, her doctor REFUSED to recommend her the jab. My friend, after doing some research, said that Dengvaxia is a very dangerous vaccine, and said her doctor is a very good doctor and did right by refusing to recommend the vaccine to her.

As for Singulair, I brought it up since you mentioned the ‘long term drug safety surveillance’, where a doctor dismissed a patient feedback and claimed the drug is ‘very safe’. If doctors dismiss patient or parent feedback on side effects, how useful is this surveillance? What is the disciplinary action for doctors who dismiss such feedback?

[5:39 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Yes children who got the vaccine died. But it wasn't the vaccine that killed them. It was other underlying conditions and poverty. What is being investigated is whether dengvaxia can prime the immune system for a stronger response to the dengue virus. That can happen for several viruses and that risk needs to be broadly publicized. Just for context more than 800K people have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia. 600 represents a small fraction and causality of death is not confirmed. Hence the vaccine is still approved in all developed countries with high level of safety data requirements including US and EU. 
It's the bad need that get magnified and get firmly lodged in people's psyche.
[5:45 pm, 09/12/2020] +: 6 new Covid-19 cases in Singapore, all imported
There were six new coronavirus cases confirmed as of Wednesday noon (Dec 9), taking Singapore's total to 58,291.
All six were imported cases who had been placed on stay-home notices on arrival in Singapore, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).
There were no cases from worker's dormitories and none in the community.
More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/6-new-covid-19-cases-in-singapore-all-imported
[5:46 pm, 09/12/2020] +: how come the one in cruise, not counted as local community ccase?
[5:53 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Technically he wasn't in Singapore when he tested positive maybe?  Or maybe considered imported.
[5:56 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Hello is cruise to nowhere
[5:56 pm, 09/12/2020] +: orh
[5:56 pm, 09/12/2020] +: thought they make it like a extension of Sg
[6:06 pm, 09/12/2020] +: I hope MOH will contact trace few days before the pax board the ship to monitor their health.
[6:07 pm, 09/12/2020] +: it’s probably still considered a suspect case until the case is fully tested? idk the news all still say suspected
[6:07 pm, 09/12/2020] +: although other reporting say got
[6:10 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Wow. Imagine don't have
[6:11 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Then all the inconveniences
[6:14 pm, 09/12/2020] +: I agree, let the early adopters be the testers, when more stable then can take, since they say the next big virus will happen 6 months time
[6:17 pm, 09/12/2020] +: when he went on board, he was tested negative, only when he had diarrhea, it's the ship's protocol to test for C19 for anyone who visits the ship's clinic. Now we know if you have you diarrhea may have C19 πŸ₯΅
[6:29 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Those on board the royal Caribbean shd be placed on 14 day shn immediately after they return back to their homes. Why still allow them to go on their usual activities? Some may be asymptomatic.
[6:32 pm, 09/12/2020] +: For future cruises, I understand that they need to do test for Covid 2 days before they board, but will they be required to do the test before they disembark?
[6:52 pm, 09/12/2020] +: Dear Contributors!
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 10 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan
[7:00 pm, 09/12/2020] +: 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

======

Monday, December 7, 2020

 Straits Times

S'pore, China to discuss collaboration on public health, economic rejuvenation at high-level meeting

Linette Lai

Political Correspondent

7 Dec 2020

In response, Mr Heng brought up *China's new "dual circulation" strategy*, which envisions a new economic development strategy relying less on global integration and more on expanding domestic commerce*.

*Singapore, as a regional hub for trade, finance and logistics, can be a key partner in China's "external circulation", he said*.

He also reiterated his earlier point on enhancing connectivity, including financial connectivity. As China's share of the global gross domestic product grows, there will be greater use of the renminbi for portfolio and direct investments into China, Mr Heng said.

"Today, Singapore is among the top three offshore RMB (renminbi) centres in the world. We should build on this, to deepen capital market linkages and financial flows."

-----


[12:01 pm, 02/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

31 Oct 2020

(1) China new economic strategy for the next 5 years - will come with the main theme which comprise of 2 tracks :-

(a) External circulation

(b) Internal circulation


(2) As China is facing increasingly difficult business environment due to Trump strong pressure to squeeze China out of trade (through trade war), technology (through tech sanctions of China tech companies) and finance (by sanctioning the finances of Chinese officials through the SWIFT US dollar system) ---- China has coin 2 tracks system --- namely "dual circulation" for its next 5 years new economic strategy.


(3) China is looking at :-

Creating a 2nd track - known as "Internal circulation" - to boost its Economy - & to mitigate and cushion the external pressure its faces from Trump 3 prong attack on China's :-

a. external trade and supply chain, 

b. tech sanctions by cutting out China tech business from US market and the world market as well as restrict US tech resources from being used by and to be sold to China tech firms

c. financial sanctions on China top officials.


(4) China "Internal circulation" predominantly focus on 3 tracks :-

a. Ramping up internal massive domestic consumption from its large domestic markets.

b. Ramp up its R&D - notably by reinventing the whole supply chain of semi-conductor industries to create its own chips instead of relying on US chips developed, design by US tech. as well as pushing forward its R&D edge in 5G, AI, quantum tech, etc.

c. Create its new digital currency or digital yuan known as DCEP (Digital Currency Electronic Payment) and wrench itself out of US Dollar Swift system in Global financial system.

Effectively, China will have created a bifurcation strategy - independent of US ecocnomic orbit, technology spaces and financial sytem.


What opportunities can Singapore seize from China's new economic strategy and the 2nd Global bifurcated system?

1. *Continue to cooperate with China in trade, business, investment, travel etc through its "External Circulation".*


2. Work with China to tap and integrate with its new "Internal circulation" that aim to tap on its huge domestic market to boost Economic growth.

a. Singapore have joint venture with China in building many Eco-cities and industrial parks.

b. Singapore have the largest investment in China with many local companies investing in many provinces in China.

c. Singapore investors in China should be able to seize the 3 tracks in China's new"Internal circulation" and increase its business revenue and profits. This will be a big opportunities for Singapore firms invested in China - as China domestic market is a "huge market".

d. Importantly Singapore business must be able to :-

i. Sell to its large domestic consumers.

ii. Value-add to the high-tech industries that China is expending great effort to create.


iii. Participate and seamlessly integrate with China DCEP digital yuan and continue *to strengthen Singapore as yuan currency exchange through offshore yuan trading hub as well as operating as gateway between China financial system as well as the World financial system through SWIFT*.


3. When the covid pandemic blow over, Singapore will be poised to emerge stronger economically and seize the opportunities offer by China's economic shift.

a. To cruise again in US bifurcated Economic System

b. To jumpstart our integration with China bifurcated Economic System


REACH 173 - Pre-Budget feedback (SK)

07 Dec 2020 (11am - 7pm)


REACH

[10:49 am, 07/12/2020] +: Dear contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 11 am to 7 pm 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 😊

+changed the group description. Click to view.


REACH

[11:18 am, 07/12/2020] +: πŸ“’ Topic πŸ“’ 

Singapore heads into the new year with a record Budget deficit, the Government will have to be prudent in spending and make every dollar count, even as it saves jobs and keeps the economy afloat.

πŸ’¬ What are your views on and suggestions for the upcoming Budget 2021? Share your views and feedback here: https://www.reach.gov.sg/participate/budget-2021

This year, close to $100 billion was dedicated to Covid-19 support measures over four Budgets - drawing up to $52 billion from the reserves, and leaving a hole of around $74 billion in the state coffers.

But going forward, the focus must now be on how to emerge stronger from Covid-19 despite limited resources, said Minister Indranee on Dec 2.

πŸ‘‰ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/need-to-be-prudent-make-every-dollar-count-in-planning-budget-2021-indranee

+changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group.

[11:18 am, 07/12/2020] +: Wow open liao

[11:18 am, 07/12/2020] +: See I wasn't wrong, it was indeed for Bajet πŸ‘€

[11:19 am, 07/12/2020] +: 🀭

[11:19 am, 07/12/2020] +: But jet impt mah

[11:20 am, 07/12/2020] +: Ya JETBI considerably important but later Megan be like

[11:20 am, 07/12/2020] +: Isn't the full budget released in Feb?

[11:20 am, 07/12/2020] +: You ask me I ask who

[11:20 am, 07/12/2020] +: I got ask you meh you don't kacau πŸ˜‚

[11:20 am, 07/12/2020] +: Be as prudent as possible across all ministry,  stat boards, government link companies. Ensure adequate taxes are collected along the way.

[11:21 am, 07/12/2020] +: Also should focus on protecting workers' rights... Or create additional forms of legal protection of our poor workers' rights

+65 8751 1508 left

[11:25 am, 07/12/2020] +: @REACH Singapore Hi good morning OG Megan, I want ask you ah, has REACH ever considered doing surveys aimed at those who leave the groups without contributing a single message at all? 

Like is it they are just pure lurkers or this was a format they didn't expect and would like something else? 

I'm sure with such a survey (and possibly some incentives but not for all obviously, since they don't really contribute), we can better understand what's going on

[11:27 am, 07/12/2020] +: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/phase-3-unlikely-by-end-of-year-unless-more-use-tracetogether-experts

[11:29 am, 07/12/2020] +: dear all, please take note that the trace together token (ttt) collection will be delayed to 19/12/2020. please informed resident to scan the QR code at the noticeboard or visit token.gowhere.gov.sg to get the first hand news. Preferably not to get news from hearsay because we do not want resident to be frustrated if there is another delay again. Please spread this awareness around. Thanks!

[11:29 am, 07/12/2020] +: This could be the reason

[11:30 am, 07/12/2020] +: Alot of us are tracing the token collection together. 😜

[11:32 am, 07/12/2020] +: We do check with them though not in a form of a survey. We will look into the that :)

[11:32 am, 07/12/2020] +: We have travel pass for indonesia. Is like travel pass for covid-19 virus.

 I thought the green lane is only for Batam..

[11:33 am, 07/12/2020] +: Hehe ok! 😊

[11:43 am, 07/12/2020] +: The security for this initiative better be damn solid sia. Otherwise once anything is compromised, that's it. Everything will be exposed.

[11:46 am, 07/12/2020] +: The Singapore government has been prudent for decades so far and built up a substantial reserve. However, this reserve is not infinite. On the other hand, it was for emergencies such as this global pandemic where countries everywhere are affected economically, and I dare say for a small country like ours, we are doing better than most because of the reserves we have previously amassed. Once the emergency has passed it would be time to rebuild the reserves and build it back better so that Singapore will be better prepared and more resilient in the future.

[11:47 am, 07/12/2020] +: That's needless to say, question is how do we execute it without making it too hard on those who are already struggling to survive

[11:48 am, 07/12/2020] +: Depending on the market situation then, I think the new grads would be feeling most vulnerable. The job offers may not meet their expected salary, and that's even assuming that there are jobs available to begin with. The SG United internship programmes are great, but have to remember that these are for a 1 year tenure and markets may not see a similar recovery even in May. So it may be worth considering whether the scheme should be extended albeit at a lower subsidy for the companies?

[11:49 am, 07/12/2020] +: On this, the new grads can definitely set their bars lower if their expected salary isn't borderline what they need to survive but something discretionary 

Everyone is suffering out there so it's of course hard to find a high-paying job

[11:53 am, 07/12/2020] +: Not say expecting a crazy high pay lah, but some companies are taking the chance to lowball like offering diploma entry pay to degree grad. It's the "you need a job what, if you hungry and desperate enough you'll take". But that sets the tone for your next salary cos even though Ministry already say companies shouldn't ask for last drawn salary and employees not legally obliged to give, reality is that this is still being done and if employees don't disclose, they don't get the job.

[11:54 am, 07/12/2020] +: Mmm of course they shouldn't exploit also but it could still be both sides are just like each other (one expect high salary, one is just out there to exploit)

[0:05 pm, 07/12/2020] +: There are actually a lot of demands in tech sectors. The problem is there are a lot of mismatch in the market now.

[0:05 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Agreed


[0:08 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

1. Use budget to boost business, income and create jobs - so as to help to rebuild our Economy and rebuild our reserves.

2. External economy, trade make up the largest share of our economy pie. (3 times the size of our GDP).

Focusing our budget to boost our external economy will be the right focus.

3. Every Ministries setup business engagement unit to help the respective industry transform, go digital, make use of FTA, to expand oversea - will be the best way to reboot our economy.


[0:10 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/who-covid-19-vaccine-e-certificates-13699640              

CNA report on vaccination eCert.

To alert Singapore government, that WHO may push this so that we are ready.


[0:16 pm, 07/12/2020] +: 1. How can we continue to develop close international relationships with other countries in spite of COVID-19?

Continue our bilateral relationship and trade with other nations. We must be open for new opportunities and deals. Share processes and work together to curb the spread of covid. Every nation in the world will have to do their part and we can help them as well as collaborate where possible. All countries also face same issues (infection rates, cabin fever, economy, tourism woes, etc) we can use that as basis for collaboration on how to overcome these challenges.

2. How can we turn the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity for Singapore?

Have mentioned this before, we must be ready to expand and to welcome new opportunities and venture out as well during this crisis period. Our knowledge, processes and standards are top notch, we could provide support for local companies who are venturing into ASEAN or regional countries by putting them into a local association or giving them a platform to set up their base over there.

3. How can we encourage greater digital adoption amongst those who are hesitant to use technology, such as the elderly?

There's a saying "you can lead a donkey to water but you can't force the ass to drink". All we can do is have the outreach, support and help for elderly to adopt new technology. If they don't wish to, we can't force them. Don't "nag" at them as well as some elderlies are stubborn and will be even more against the idea if you constantly "remind" them to use new technology. Instead, make it such that the new technology have fun things that they would like, maybe some ktv app with old songs or something. Once they start to get "addicted" they will be well on their way to using the new technology.

Still got too many questions, I'll see if I have spare time later. Going to be a busy month though so might not hear from me much. As always, my 2.14 cents.

[0:22 pm, 07/12/2020] +: 1. All have to adjust their expectations. 

2. Assist poor nations with subsidies,  trainint, delivery and implementation.


[0:23 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

The reason why individual Ministries setup each business engagement unit is because - the respective Ministries know their industries best. 

They know the respective global supply chain, vendors, partners etc.

Eg. Mincom understand IT better.

MND understand construction better.

SFA understand food better.

MoT understand transport better.

And so on.

EDB, IE Singapore can provide the catalyst, information, tie up etc while the respective Ministries can do deep overseas and domestic deep engagement with their respective industry.


[0:27 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

1. Respective Ministries form the vertical engagement.

2. EDB, IE Singapore do the horizontal engagement.

3. Respective industry association will do deep engagement with the respective Ministries business engagement unit - to expand their business overseas and can do meaningful transformation of their business working hand in hand.


[0:33 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Thus next year budget should focus on:-

1. setting up individual Ministries business engagement unit,

2. building every industries capabilities,

3. Transform individual industries eg going digital.

4. Train workers in transform jobs.

5. build overseas ties and new business partners and grow domestic business to expand overseas

6. Grow economic pie and rebuild our reserves.

To emerge stronger.

------


REACH

[10:27 am, 07/12/2020] +: Under one roof: Users able to view financial data from bank, government accounts on single platform

For those with multiple bank accounts, logging on to numerous platforms for updates and drawing up financial spreadsheets can now be a thing of the past.

This is made possible with the launch of the Singapore Financial Data Exchange (SGFinDex) on Monday (Dec 7), a digital infrastructure that rides on the national digital identity system SingPass. 

SGFinDex is a joint initiative by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) in collaboration with the financial sector. 

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-view-financial-data-bank-government-sgfindex-mas-13715898


[1:10 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Support this initiative as it will help individuals manage and grow their personal finance.

But data security become all the more important.

Imagine if hackers also can see an individual finances all in one view?

Hackers could in one big sweep - hack the person wealth in one big fall and the person become bankrupt.


Rama

[1:10 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Food for thought!?


Ben

[1:12 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Except you cannot transact on this platform, it's a viewer only. Seems quite safe really.

[1:13 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Yes, particularly point 2.


Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:13 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Paid surveys have already been mentioning about such consolidated platforms to view all your transactions in one place but that's not to say people won't move towards a consolidated transaction platform either


[1:13 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

If hackers view it and can see how much each individual worth - then it becomes dangerous.


Ben

[1:14 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Sure, but you can't become bankrupt from having it. Surely all online banking is more vulnerable then?

[1:14 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Just not sure what your point is - advising against online banking?


[1:15 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Agree. 

That's why IT security become vitally important.


Ben

[1:15 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Ok, glad you made that clear :)

[1:15 pm, 07/12/2020] +: I think we all know online banking should be secure :)

[1:16 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Incorrect statements scaring people about becoming bankruptcy in one sweep using online services is not very helpful!


[1:21 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Eg. If a group of hackers in one view see the person have shares, bank deposit, insurance, etc.

If the state hackers manage to crack the singpass through phishing or scam or trick the individual to reveal its login credentials - will form dedicated hacker groups to hack shares, insurance, bank deposit one shot to clear it.


[1:22 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Because it is one single sign-on using single id, password and OTP.


Rama

[1:23 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Will 2FA help or not!?


Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:23 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Yes, if you understand what 2FA is for and don't share OTP codes with other people as banks keep reminding everyone to

[1:24 pm, 07/12/2020] +: But 2FA is not an excuse to have a weak password - it's better to have 2 strong doors than 1 strong door and 1 weak door


Rama

[1:24 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Agree


[1:24 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

2fa help but if Hackers manage to download malware into the handphone, then only multiple fa is safer.


[1:30 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Eg. A malware if download into a handphone, can be a keylogger.

1. If type password, userid, it will capture the key stroke.

2. If OTP landed on the same handphone, the malware will also capture the OTP.

3. Then hackers can make use of the capture credentials to steal bank deposit, shares, insurance etc one shot and then say bye bye.


Poh S Lim

[1:31 pm, 07/12/2020] +: The other problem would be Denial of Service attacks (DDOS) or hijacking the portal through malware (Ransomware), which would freeze commercial/ consumer transactions. I hope these portals are robust enough to deter these attacks.


Rama

[1:32 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Only the relevant authorities can advise.


Poh S Lim

[1:36 pm, 07/12/2020] +: It is an ever present threat that can hamper the adoption of a more digitalised banking system.


Rama

[1:37 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Hoping ABS, CSA and MAS can advise further.


Poh S Lim

[1:38 pm, 07/12/2020] +: I’m wondering if China’s WeChat payment system ever got attacked and stopped their payment services? Their history on this could be helpful since China’s online payment system has been around much longer


Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:39 pm, 07/12/2020] +: I doubt anyone will want to release such information 

There are probably countless attempts at our systems regardless of size but as gahmen doesn't want mass panic (or PR disaster), keep it low

[1:39 pm, 07/12/2020] +: As in low profile


Sam

[2:05 pm, 07/12/2020] +: This is good for the deceased family to find out how much is the estate value. Often, deceased family don't even know how many bank account and investment account a person owned.


Blue and White Flag Guy

[2:05 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Interesting perspective! Though there should still be certain security measures in place so you know, only those who should know, know


----

REACH

[2:37 pm, 07/12/2020] +: NEX cinema ventilation duct collapse due to accumulated water, overloaded brackets: BCA

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said a “significant amount of water” had accumulated in the layers of acoustic material surrounding the air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation duct. This was caused by “unforeseen excessive condensation”, it said.

The weight of the water eventually overloaded the brackets supporting the air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation duct, causing them to give way.

After the incident, BCA said it instructed NEX to appoint a professional engineer to carry out an investigation and to recommend rectification measures. 

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nex-shaw-cinema-ventilation-duct-collapse-water-bracket-overload-13716728

[2:38 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Perhaps connected to CPF bereavement account?

[2:38 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Important lesson learnt - hope this becomes a mandatory check on all such units, every 6 months or whenever required.

[2:40 pm, 07/12/2020] +: So did this occur within PM window? Cuz if it did then the PM window has to be shrunk. Otherwise, it's the usual "oh the company did not perform PM" conclusion

[2:42 pm, 07/12/2020] +: what's PM?

[2:42 pm, 07/12/2020] +: progressive maintenance?

[2:42 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Preventive

[2:42 pm, 07/12/2020] +: oh, my bad

[2:53 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Usually for ventilation duct, people in this industry tend to overlook for PM, to be very honest

[2:54 pm, 07/12/2020] +: AC/MV maintenance generally only check on the fan and/or compressor unit, I've never seen people climbing or scoping into the ducts before

[2:55 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Then that means they need to change their scope of maintenance

[2:55 pm, 07/12/2020] +: but those are my observations for residential properties, commercials might have a different way of maintaining them

[3:00 pm, 07/12/2020] +: πŸ‘

[3:06 pm, 07/12/2020] +: wait how the heck does so much water accumulate up there and doesn't leak down? no one notice it sagging downwards or anything?

[3:24 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Cinema staff won't bother, even if they do, they're not trained to spot that as a defect

[3:24 pm, 07/12/2020] +: I'll go with the second

[3:24 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Just like most of us, as a layman, when we go shopping malls, we also don't look up down left right at the pipings and equipments

[3:25 pm, 07/12/2020] +: or an example closer to us, how many of us actually observe if the lift car is level when the door is open

[3:26 pm, 07/12/2020] +: it's supposed to be level, or +/- 5mm gap

[3:26 pm, 07/12/2020] +: I'm more amazed that so much water can accumuldate there without leaking down

[3:26 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Ehm I do 

But count me out, I'm used to the horizontal version aka train stopping πŸ˜‚

[3:26 pm, 07/12/2020] +: air tightnsma

[3:26 pm, 07/12/2020] +: it's supposed to be air tight, if not the pressure won't be there

[3:28 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Cinema so dark. May need touch light to shine on the ceiling to see.

[3:28 pm, 07/12/2020] +: There could be fasle ceiling too

[3:28 pm, 07/12/2020] +: i do

[3:29 pm, 07/12/2020] +: i look at hdb ground floor pipings too

[3:29 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Translate to my domain 

Which of you all even look at what I look at right πŸšπŸš‡ πŸ‘€

[3:29 pm, 07/12/2020] +: i also do this, there was once the door didn't flush with the landing

[3:29 pm, 07/12/2020] +: 🀭

[3:30 pm, 07/12/2020] +: choo choo

[3:31 pm, 07/12/2020] +: But at the end of the day it's learning from all these lor

-----


REACH

[3:31 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Singapore reports 13 new COVID-19 cases, all imported

Thirteen new COVID-19 cases were reported in Singapore as of noon on Monday (Dec 7), said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in its daily preliminary update.

No new cases were found in the community and in foreign workers' dormitories.

The new cases are all imported and all 13 were placed on stay-home notice or isolated upon their arrival in Singapore, said the ministry. 

Details of the new cases will be released on Monday night, said the health ministry.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-new-cases-dec-7-imported-no-community-local-moh-13715900


[5:37 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/philip-jeyaretnam-appointed-supreme-court-judicial-commissioner-13717676

Ex opposition son appointment in supreme court.


[5:40 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Appointment by merits not political affiliation.

Inclusiveness.

Good!


Dong Liang

[5:42 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Regardless of race, languages or who your father is...


Rama

[5:46 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Let's see him square off with Kenneth!


Dong Liang

[5:47 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Apples do fall from trees..


[6:00 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

As civil servant, he will have to be impartial, fair and just in carrying out his duties - and most important, he is expected to be political neutral.


Rama

[6:03 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Or to avoid conflict of interest like lucien wong, not to get involved!


[6:04 pm, 07/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Yes. If it involves conflict of interest.


CQ

[6:16 pm, 07/12/2020] +: By that logic, anyone who has any affiliation with oppo whether direct or indirect through family members, or by any extension, "not incumbent-aligned" cannot be SC or judge. Can't be right....?

Regardless who it is, lawyers have to recognise where a conflict of interest may arise and recuse themselves if they're ever in that position. Especially as a judge, it's not enough that justice is done but justice must also be seen to be done. I trust that Philip Jeyaratnam knows where the lines are, he's a very seasoned litigator and very well respected in the industry.


Rama

[6:18 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Being a senior counsel and former head of the law society, carries a lot of respect.


REACH

[6:45 pm, 07/12/2020] +: 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

[6:52 pm, 07/12/2020] +: πŸ‘πŸ™πŸ‘ŒπŸ‘πŸ€™✋

[6:52 pm, 07/12/2020] +: Gdnite Megan


REACH

[6:59 pm, 07/12/2020] +: 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

+changed the group description. Click to view.

+changed this group's settings to allow only admins to send messages to this group.

Only admins can send messages


========


Saturday, December 5, 2020

 CNA 

Lab-grown chicken to be sold in Singapore after 'world's first' approval for cultured meat

By Rachel Phua

@RachelPhuaCNA

02 Dec 2020 08:00AM

(Updated: 02 Dec 2020 11:04PM)

Mr Tetrick said his company is looking to offer the product at a restaurant first before distributing it to the mass market, adding that it will be priced similar to what consumers pay for "premium chicken" at restaurants.

Costs of the cell-based chicken cannot be revealed for intellectual property reasons, he said. But he expects its chicken to be below the prices of its conventional counterpart "in the years ahead".

----


[12:17 pm, 11/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/beyond-meat-shares-sink-as-wall-street-startled-by-slowing-sales-13509772

Vegan meat not doing well.


[12:17 pm, 11/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Should price to appeal to the mass market.

Only then there will be mass demand and hence good revenue.

Vegan meat now price too high and common people cannot afford - thus not a good substitute to real meat.

Not surprising it will not be doing well.

If it reform its pricing strategy, then vegan meat can do well.

High volume at mass market price.

=======


Wednesday, December 2, 2020

REACH 172 - Vaccination Plan (SK)

02 Dec 2020 (11am - 7pm)


REACH

[0:46 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Dear contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat till 7 pm 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 😊

+ changed the group description. Click to view.


REACH

[0:47 pm, 02/12/2020] +: πŸ“’ Topic πŸ“’ 

American biotechnology company Moderna has asked the authorities in Singapore to approve the use of its Covid-19 vaccine here. If all goes well, the first batch of vaccines could arrive as early as this month.

πŸ’¬ What are your views on Singapore's effort to secure a portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines for different segments of the population? 

Last month, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said Singapore would work on securing a portfolio of Covid-19 vaccines to cater to different segments of the population instead of relying on just one vaccine.

Moderna on Monday applied for emergency use authorisation of its Covid-19 vaccine in the United States, following the release of the full results from its late-stage clinical trial.

The results of the trial, which involved 30,000 people, had shown that the vaccine was 94.1 per cent effective in preventing Covid-19, and 100 per cent effective at preventing severe disease from the coronavirus.

πŸ‘‰ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/moderna-seeking-approval-for-use-of-its-covid-19-vaccine-in-singapore

πŸ‘‰ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/no-need-to-rely-on-one-covid-19-vaccine-0

+ changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group.

----


Rama

[0:58 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Hope for the best


[1:07 pm, 02/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Will rely on Singapore medical experts to give us the best advice what vaccination plan is best for Singapore population.

[1:08 pm, 02/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Safety is paramount for the vaccination plan.

[1:10 pm, 02/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Especially for elderly or others with pre-existing heath conditions and some on long term medication.

[1:13 pm, 02/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Also need to know how many doses or jabs needed, the cost of the vaccination.

[1:15 pm, 02/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

And should all go to polyclinic, hospitals, or should it be in CC where medical professionals administer the vaccines?

[1:18 pm, 02/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

WHO say only 20% are superspreader.

If cleverly identified those who are superspreader, then only need to vaccinate 20% and 80% is spare from vaccination.

The problem is how to identify this 20% potential superspreader?

Will AI able to nail down this 20%?


Ben

[1:26 pm, 02/12/2020] +: πŸ‘


Berny

[1:29 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Why everything go CC? They are already overworked like hospital already, TT, singpass, PTV, comcare, and many other stuff that suddenly drop from the sky, on top of their daily job


Ben

[1:55 pm, 02/12/2020] +: I guess they can bring in people to help, just as they would need people in Poly's, Hospitals etc. Might be good to spread geographically. Need to administer 5m vaccinations!


Berny

[1:57 pm, 02/12/2020] +: I'd assume that you are neither a GRL nor PA(or ex) staff.  It is easy to say PA can mobilise manpower easily but nobody knows how difficult it is to mobilise people during office hours.

[1:58 pm, 02/12/2020] +: They are not like SAF where the top says go, bottom down have to move


Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:58 pm, 02/12/2020] +: But let's look at it from a SAF100 perspective, what can we adopt and adapt?


[2:33 pm, 02/12/2020] +: MediShield Life review 2020: Why are our premiums still increasing in this economic climate?:: https://www.asiaone.com/money/medishield-life-review-2020-why-are-our-premiums-still-increasing-economic-climate?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=addtoany


Ben

[2:37 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Yes, and maybe ask for their help to organise the logisitics?


REACH

[3:28 pm, 02/12/2020] +: 2 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, all imported

Singapore reported two new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Wednesday (Dec 2), said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in its preliminary daily update.

All the new infections are imported cases and were placed on stay-home notice upon arrival in Singapore.

More details will be released on Wednesday night, said MOH.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-cases-moh-dec-2-imported-community-coronavirus-13681762


[3:43 pm, 02/12/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

My close friend comments:-

Securing vaccines may become a necessary part of borders reopening criteria. 

If countries decide that it will only open up to persons who are vaccinated then we have no choice but to secure and make available the vaccines for persons who need to travel. 

We do not understand why SARs and MERS suddenly limit their spread and died of.

 Covid -19 doesn't seem to show any sign of slowing transmission. 

So the game may become whoever secure vaccines, beat others to re opening, reviving their economies. 

When there is imbalance in the reopening, those countries which are behind will be seriously threaten.

Thankful that gov is placing bets on various budding vaccines. 

As for their efficacy, we need professional experts to read into the trial results and gov to intelligently place our bets to secure the vaccines.


[3:48 pm, 02/12/2020] +: How effective the vaccines we do not know yet. It is too early to tell yet.

[3:48 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Yup

[3:49 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Long way... I don’t want to be the test subject... shall wait long long till everyone is ok

[3:50 pm, 02/12/2020] +: True. At the moment, better to have something that is at least 50% effective than nothing. Else businesses will collapse

[3:52 pm, 02/12/2020] +: We do not need to rush for vaccines, as our government controls quite well so far.  Let other countries test first then see if they open borders to each other?

[3:54 pm, 02/12/2020] +: But someone has to be the guinea pig 

It's always the case of sacrificing few for the greater

[3:54 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Yup totally agree πŸ˜†

[3:54 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Initial vaccinations can be quite mild doses, which is safer, but will require repeating after 3 or 6months. There is a balance as always

[3:55 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Yup totally agree πŸ˜†

[3:55 pm, 02/12/2020] +: You disguise as Ken sibo

[3:56 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Where got

[3:56 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Err so far we won’t know till they test it... trial as compare to populations wide use is very different..

[3:56 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Lol

[3:56 pm, 02/12/2020] +: We skip some phase to fast track the process

[3:58 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Yes, agreed

[4:00 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Securing a portfolio of c-19 vaccines to cater to various segments of the population sounds good on paper, but whether it is practical remains to be seen.

Regarding the clinical trials of Moderna, I can only state that there is insufficient data provided for anyone to make any preliminary judgements on the safety and efficacy of its vaccine.

We have heard of extremely high cases of COVID 19 infections and related deaths in certain countries. Some of us stated that this happened because the people don’t practice SD and wear masks. This may be true. However, the abnormally high figures could also be due to bad testing and bad statistics, like the tests are adjusted in provide lots of false positives, where even a common cold can be diagnosed as a COVID 19 infection, and deaths from other causes are lumped together with deaths from Covid 19. So for Moderna’s clinical trial, how were the COVID 19 tests conducted, and can we be assured that these tests were accurate?

During the trial, out of the 30k healthy participants, half were given the vaccine, half were given the placebo. During this trial of about 4 months, 196 participants were diagnosed with COVID 19. How many mild and how many serious cases we don’t know. This is important as we are not interested in preventing the mild cases but the severe cases. So, we’ll just assume that during these 4 months, 196 previously HEALTHY participants miraculously came down with SEVERE COVID 19. Out of this 196, 185 were in the placebo group and 11 were in the vaccine group. So, how is the 94.5% efficacy calculated? I don’t know, so I just randomly picked some figures and, using the formula 

# in placebo group / total # infected with COVID 19 * 100, which is,

185 / 196 * 100 = 94.38%

Someone kindly correct me if my calculations are wrong.

So, assuming my calculation is correct, this 94.5% efficacy is based, not on 30k volunteers, but on 196 total infected volunteers. In this case is the figure 196 a large enough pool to convince our experts that the vaccine’s efficacy is indeed 94.5%?

My main concern, however, is not these too good to believe figures. Moderna vaccine uses mRNA technology which programs our cells to manufacture the Covid 19 virus or derivatives to stimulate our immune response. This type of cell change is permanent, and any long term side effects will also be permanent. How does this affect our children and future descendents? We do not and will not have any answers for a long time. For this vaccine, the risks far outweigh the benefits for healthy and child bearing individuals.

[4:02 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Lol mRNA ones not many people know leh.. and don’t scare them later they don’t take

[4:02 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Wow I'd read this over any other spam anyday

[4:03 pm, 02/12/2020] +: A lot is still not known about mRNA if we alter the gene. The silent ones have any use in our life. 🀷🏻‍♂️

So given a choice i will not take gene altering ones

[4:07 pm, 02/12/2020] +: LifeHacker, the site in my opinion is run by half intel half idiots 

And I came across one of their articles about convincing people to take the vaccine 

I know there'll be anti-vaxxers and all, but right now it's about safety and practicality 

We won't want a vaccine to cause whatever it is we want to fight, backfire and become something worse so it's natural for everyone to put up their defences against something new

[4:09 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Only time will tell... even with the vaccine many country may not able to afford it. 

So we cannot visit those without also.. at 90plus over percent efficiency. Means there are people that can still bring back the virus to our non vaccinated population. 

Hence quarantine protocol will still be in place

[4:09 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Good luck to the tourism industry

[4:10 pm, 02/12/2020] +: I am definitely not a anti vacxxer. My kid just told all those and those that are recommended been on the market for quite awhile.

[4:11 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Took”

[4:14 pm, 02/12/2020] +: SAF NSFs get new load bearing vest that improves heat dissipation, gives better support

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has rolled out a new load bearing system (LBS) that is better at distributing weight and dissipating heat, allowing soldiers to last longer and fight more effectively on the battlefield.

This comes after the SAF unveiled an LBS prototype in 2017 at the launch of the Centre of Excellence for Soldier Performance (CESP). The prototype had similar qualities but did not come in a pixelated design.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/saf-nsf-new-lbv-load-bearing-vest-reduce-heat-better-support-13682250

[4:34 pm, 02/12/2020] +: https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2020/10/20/researchers-warn-some-covid-19-vaccines-could-increase-risk-of-hiv-infection/?sh=7575d7a23740

Some other study


Berny

[4:38 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Sars and mers died off because the chain of infection got broken, thats what my friend told me


Blue and White Flag Guy

[4:38 pm, 02/12/2020] +: My open friend tell me, is the virus too deadly then no more vectors left to spread the virus lor, for SARS


Berny

[4:39 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Back then we didnt had socially irresponsible people out there, at least not many compared to now

[4:41 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Usually plague disappear for 3 reasons:

1. No more vectors to spread (black plague)

2. Chain of infection broken

3. We started to develop antibody or a vaccine is found

[4:41 pm, 02/12/2020] +: I got all these 3 pointers from Plague. Inc


Blue and White Flag Guy

[4:42 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Orh no ah for SARS consider mine as 1b, spread to limited population and then too deadly so cannot spread anymore 

Not Black Plague type, that one sudah semua mati


Ken

[4:42 pm, 02/12/2020] +: The vector is human now... so nope will not stop


Berny

[4:43 pm, 02/12/2020] +: It will, if it mutate to a more deadly form and start killing quickly

[4:43 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Hope it will not go that direction πŸ™

[4:43 pm, 02/12/2020] +: There is still a chance


Kevin

[4:43 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Tiagong from my normal friend say virus too deadly until vaccine cannot be produced.


Berny

[4:44 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Thats why who is rushing for vaccine

[4:44 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Before it mutate further


Ken

[4:44 pm, 02/12/2020] +: No such thing as cannot develop.

But if the virus mutation is high yes then is very hard to make a vaccine for it.

[4:45 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Just like any flu virus that we need to take every few years.. due to the mutation rate.

[4:45 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Flu virus vaccine is based on model to guess what is the next flu that is going to be majority spread then they develop it


REACH

[4:47 pm, 02/12/2020] +: HSA evaluating initial data on COVID-19 vaccine submitted by Moderna for use in Singapore

Moderna has started submitting initial data on its COVID-19 vaccine candidate to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), as part of the process to evaluate its suitability for use in Singapore.

The biotechnology company “will continue to roll in data as soon as they become available”, as agreed with the authority, said a spokesperson for HSA on Wednesday (Dec 2) in response to queries by CNA.

HSA said it has already started evaluating the available data submitted by Moderna to ensure “expeditious review”.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/moderna-covid-19-vaccine-hsa-initial-data-rolling-review-13684050


[4:54 pm, 02/12/2020] +: The real danger is that some may appear asymptomatic and is living among us

[4:55 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Is your time is your time lol.. 

really sometimes we can’t choose only can reduce our chance of contact

[4:55 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Hahaha nice reference 


Maybe we should play that someday hor

[4:55 pm, 02/12/2020] +: But l think we should leave the speculations to the experts

[4:56 pm, 02/12/2020] +: He expert liao hor

[4:57 pm, 02/12/2020] +: ? Just sharing option lol..

[5:00 pm, 02/12/2020] +: The topic is: what are your views on Singapore's effort to secure a portfolio of covid vaccine for different segments of population

[5:01 pm, 02/12/2020] +: I not scolding you or what luh hahaha I legit respecc your position as someone in the Life Sciences industry 

Salute!

[5:01 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Lol I left.. now in plastic. 🀣🀣🀣

[5:01 pm, 02/12/2020] +: But if is another kind of pseudo-expert I need to unleash a sticker

[5:01 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Your experiences still count ma 🀭

[5:02 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Here have people experience remember some more advance knowledge on this matter

[5:02 pm, 02/12/2020] +: U make plastic bags now?

[5:02 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Lol nope I make plastic raw material

[5:02 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Plastic pellets

[5:03 pm, 02/12/2020] +: I agree with securing different vaccines, while we understand which work better in which cases. The public will want to understand more about the test cases. Age range, racial profile, underlying conditions etc.that is not to be judgemental but to be reassured.

[5:04 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Oh nice!

[5:04 pm, 02/12/2020] +: I thought you moved on to plastic surgery, my bad

[5:04 pm, 02/12/2020] +: What is the SG Gov approach to who should be vaccinated first and what provisions are in place for safety and over what period.

[5:05 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Hahahaha later someone spam him with recycling azenda how πŸ˜‚

[5:05 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Haha that is medical I not so pro leh.. only chemical engineer

[5:05 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Will the vaccine be chargeable? Who will administer it? Will Moderna provide medical staff for ongoing monitoring, for how long?

[5:06 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Chargeable, pay using medisave

[5:07 pm, 02/12/2020] +: For people who are vaccinated, will they have special privileges regarding travel and social distancing? How will that be managed? Will  that cause division in the community? Will people who are vaccinated resent any restrictions placed on them?

+ left

[5:08 pm, 02/12/2020] +: I think is too early to adopt, and why do we need to adopt at such a early stage. 

There are so many types on the market. The reason for early adoption? We know for sure our neighbors can’t afford them so if we adopt does it mean we can allow people to come in as without checking as our population are majority immunize.

[5:08 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Sure, and who is setting the price? What is the profit margin? Will it be mandatory to be vaccinated?

[5:08 pm, 02/12/2020] +: And we have like 2 mil non citizens are we paying for them as well?

[5:08 pm, 02/12/2020] +: We leave this to the policy maker at later stage

[5:09 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Reopening our borders and our community safely

We are gradually reopening our borders and resuming more activities safely, as we move towards Phase Three.

English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0DunMNncvc

Chinese

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlB3FcvLxHo

Malay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NzSMXSaEdM

Tamil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR3Fwu19xuM

[5:09 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Sure, I'm not looking for answers now. These are questions I think people will be asking, and the Gov will need answers to reassure people this is a good approach, if they decide to do it

[5:10 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Yes, what will be the policy here?

[5:11 pm, 02/12/2020] +: This is a good question. If we were vaccinated by US vaccines, are we allowed to go to China?

[5:11 pm, 02/12/2020] +: If there is mutation and the vaccine need to be updated then what need to be done? Too many why haiz

[5:11 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Agree

[5:13 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Yes, vaccination is good and the right approach. Timing is important because just 1 year in we don't know much about it. Was the testing of the vaccination in the US on the same strain if Covid as we have here in SG?

[5:14 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Not much information on mutation... only at the start they discussed now is like suddenly so quiet ... or maybe I didn’t follow the news enough

[5:39 pm, 02/12/2020] +: One concern is, if there are any deaths or injuries caused by this vaccine, is Moderna responsible? Can we sue Moderna for for compensation? Also, if Moderna is found to have withheld information that is important for safety review, will Moderna be disciplined? I remember in the past, Sanofi Pasteur withheld safety information relating to Dengvaxia vaccine. Our G not only did not discipline them, but HSA scientists (funded by taxpayers money) had to help them re write the package insert for the vaccine.

[6:00 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Thanks for this response. I share the same concerns raised in this post.

------

REACH
[6:45 pm, 02/12/2020] +: Dear Contributors!
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan
[6:47 pm, 02/12/2020] +: πŸ™πŸ‘πŸ‘ŒπŸ‘✋

REACH
[6:59 pm, 02/12/2020] +: 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

======

Monday, November 30, 2020

REACH 171 - Sustainability (SK)

30 Nov 2020 (11am - 7pm)


REACH

[11:00 am, 30/11/2020] +: πŸ“’ Topic πŸ“’ 

Singapore is stepping up efforts to grow more food locally, to help local farms ramp up production over the next six to 24 months by leveraging technology. 

πŸ’¬ How can we play a more active part in Singapore’s sustainability efforts? 

In September, the Singapore Food Agency under the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) awarded close to $40 million under its 30X30 express grant to accelerate local food production. 

Beyond food supply, with pressing issues on everything from water supply to sea-level rise, 

MSE is also looking at turning waste into a resource by squeezing value from every dreg.  

At the same time, Singapore is preparing to protect itself against sea-level rise and has since 2011 raised the minimum level for newly reclaimed land from 3 to 4 metres, above the mean sea level. 

πŸ‘‰  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/diversification-of-food-sources-cannot-be-only-strategy-in-the-face-of-global

+changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group.

-----


[11:01 am, 30/11/2020] +: Can gov stop printing letters in all 4 languages to a citizen? Like the rediscovery singapore

[11:01 am, 30/11/2020] +: 40 and below should be able to read eng

[11:02 am, 30/11/2020] +: Lol to be fair no choice... we have 4 major race mah

[11:02 am, 30/11/2020] +: If say Singapore is indeed "looking at turning waste into a resource by squeezing value from every dreg" then I hope to see something like drivelines that are powered by trash and to continue looking into actual sustainability efforts - moving from natural gas to other cleaner sources and accept the fact that e-mobility is not actually that clean

[11:02 am, 30/11/2020] +: 40 and above can print eng and their language based on race?

[11:02 am, 30/11/2020] +: We wasted 3 million pages? Lol 

We got 3 million citizens?

[11:02 am, 30/11/2020] +: For me is, can the government seriously just mail one to the household rather than one letter per person? That's not very sustainable is it? And if your family likes to hide mail from you then really, that's your problem

[11:03 am, 30/11/2020] +: Err mainly for elderly that can only read Chinese. But cannot just print Chinese politically correct then print all lanaguge

[11:03 am, 30/11/2020] +: 1 per household is risky, imagine if it is genuinely lost in mail

[11:04 am, 30/11/2020] +: Just like they send us the ez link without money... do we really need two more ez link?

[11:04 am, 30/11/2020] +: If race is malay then print malay translation lor

[11:04 am, 30/11/2020] +: HDB mail is 1 per household (to the owners) what

[11:04 am, 30/11/2020] +: What mail is that?

[11:04 am, 30/11/2020] +: Hard to control and postman tough job, if like that we know what race stay where

[11:04 am, 30/11/2020] +: But the 30x30, I do see Nparks releasing more gardening plots lately, it would be nice if we have a "composting" scheme on top of the existing recycle scheme, compost can turn into black gols

[11:04 am, 30/11/2020] +: Oh like that double the job lah think about it 

They have to run through database, this envelope must put in Bahasa Melayu, this one Bahasa Cina, etc

[11:04 am, 30/11/2020] +: Gov have ma

[11:05 am, 30/11/2020] +: With digitalization, am sure can be done

[11:05 am, 30/11/2020] +: Yeah well it's still double job

[11:05 am, 30/11/2020] +: Logistical quite hard, we are talking 3 mil population, if family mixed race then send Chinese, Malay or Indian?

[11:06 am, 30/11/2020] +: I'm sticking with Ken on this

[11:06 am, 30/11/2020] +: I mean still send to individuals

[11:06 am, 30/11/2020] +: So print on 1 A4

[11:06 am, 30/11/2020] +: For this one rather carpet bomb than customised based on race or what language they understand lol

[11:06 am, 30/11/2020] +: Instead of now 2 A4, with 4 languages

[11:06 am, 30/11/2020] +: Print control and to manage it.. I did before crazy to do it

[11:07 am, 30/11/2020] +: Will end up more wastage and MOQ cannot hit another price again

[11:08 am, 30/11/2020] +: To save is print only one language... only way

[11:18 am, 30/11/2020] +: Which one more important, save paper or save cost? 🀣

[11:18 am, 30/11/2020] +: Need to have balance... 

ease of implementation and cost effective method

[11:19 am, 30/11/2020] +: And politically correct

[11:19 am, 30/11/2020] +: Exactly

[11:19 am, 30/11/2020] +: Balance Practicality and Cost-effectiveness per my values

[11:19 am, 30/11/2020] +: Nowadays people are just overly sensitive 🀷🏻‍♂️

[11:20 am, 30/11/2020] +: They have been since forever lol remember the Chinese MRT announcement? How come SBST can keep SMRT cannot har? Unfair hor

[11:22 am, 30/11/2020] +: It is very hard to apply for grant... checked. 

Yes many have abuse, but making it harder don’t make it easier for people having interest to get into the business.

The new policy help the existing players more than getting new blood in.

[11:24 am, 30/11/2020] +: How do Singapore fight with country that are so much lesser even with transport. Specially our neighbors are full of cheap labour and land. 

Local won’t support local farms as much as we hope. Due to the fact of cost.

[11:24 am, 30/11/2020] +: 🀷🏻‍♂️ sometimes just ignore, life have many other things we should be concern of.

[11:25 am, 30/11/2020] +: Will heavy subsidies help!?

[11:25 am, 30/11/2020] +: I have seen Jurong Island and am concerned that it may be vulnerable to sea level rises. I’m not sure of its average elevation above sea level but it seems pretty flat. There are multi billion dollar infrastructure invested there and I guess if rising sea levels due to climate change affects it, that would be bad for Singapore’s economy. My personal thoughts have been the construction of sea walls to protect the island but I’m not sure how much it would cost and how long it would take. 

Just my thoughts

[11:26 am, 30/11/2020] +: Not subsidies never said that... more of helping to promote buying local... but the problem is cost.

We willing to spend more on Japanese product at a premium. But local food is like local only lol

[11:26 am, 30/11/2020] +: Yeah I will confront them in the future by putting Chinese announcements anyway lol

[11:27 am, 30/11/2020] +: Don’t worry if you are on the island you see that they have been constantly adding and building to prevent what you are worried about.

[11:27 am, 30/11/2020] +: Currently, I’m working on 3R projects

[11:28 am, 30/11/2020] +: It’s already happening... expanding and direct water and design.

[11:28 am, 30/11/2020] +: I think the government should explore pushing such letters electronically to those with Singpass since they would have their mobile phone numbers and other details. No sense printing in full colour, mailing out, and then only to have the recipient read it for 39 seconds and throw out.

[11:28 am, 30/11/2020] +: Can put below waste bin's plastic bag

[11:28 am, 30/11/2020] +: Thanks, Ken. I’ve not been back to Jurong Island for years so I’ve not been able to observe the changes. Thank you.

[11:28 am, 30/11/2020] +: To contain and bag leak

[11:29 am, 30/11/2020] +: Not everyone have email, and know how to use it. Flyers is one of the way to get to the elderly.

Till they totally no longer around it will still be the way of communicating.

[11:30 am, 30/11/2020] +: My plant was by the sea 1 year ago.. now the sea line is like 100 m away 🀦🏻

No more sea breeze... just grassland all the way haiz

[11:30 am, 30/11/2020] +: Another would be posters. Flyers are loose leaf and would be littered. Posters may work better for public information

[11:31 am, 30/11/2020] +: Good input, basically physical means must still be around even as we progress digitally

[11:31 am, 30/11/2020] +: That would work, usually comes hand in hand with TV as well.

[11:32 am, 30/11/2020] +: Most HDB blocks now have those digital notice board next to the lifts. Maybe that's another way to push these messages out?

[11:32 am, 30/11/2020] +: some TC are working with some company for the digital noticeboard

[11:32 am, 30/11/2020] +: it's some side income for TC too, win win situation

[11:33 am, 30/11/2020] +: The blue line on wards was once sea 1 year ago..

[11:34 am, 30/11/2020] +: Yup more and more pop up... just refresh a bit too fast want to see also cannot catch sometimes

[11:34 am, 30/11/2020] +: Generally its 10-15 sec per slide iirc

[11:35 am, 30/11/2020] +: Or at least the one I worked with previously is around that timing

[11:39 am, 30/11/2020] +: Dutch experts have been working with our government on the appropriate dykes for this.

[11:40 am, 30/11/2020] +: I guess SPM mobile notification is in the pipeline next year. Like passport and renew IC notifications.

[11:41 am, 30/11/2020] +: Notice that IOT improvement are getting faster recently. Can feel the push and improvement drastically in the recent few years.

[11:44 am, 30/11/2020] +: But we still have three apps (SPM, OneService, LifeSG or something) that are fighting to be the standard app 

Will the similar functions across all three apps eventually be merged into one app?

[11:45 am, 30/11/2020] +: OneMap is very very good

[11:45 am, 30/11/2020] +: Uhh no not that

[11:45 am, 30/11/2020] +: Another area of concern is on food waste. SDG goal of consumption sustainability is to reduce food waste by half. Past business practices in retail is to dump unsightly produce as they are not so easily sold. Other ways of dealing with food waste must be found.

[11:45 am, 30/11/2020] +: I used it for my house purchased 

Can check distance from parents house, nearby school, recent transactions price for house etc

[11:47 am, 30/11/2020] +: Dump? Not even giving it for free?

[11:49 am, 30/11/2020] +: Giving for free affects the market, then again Singaporean unlikely to take free food if it is ugly. 🀣

The thing in giving ugly food, cause no money is earn. Need delegated volunteers to manage the ugly food if not will be a disaster.

[11:49 am, 30/11/2020] +: If it's going to be thrown away anyway, I don't really see your point

[11:50 am, 30/11/2020] +: There are some food fridge setup in some areas.. but are maintain by volunteers. If more willing to step up to help then it will work

[11:50 am, 30/11/2020] +: There are some near to expire... that can be consume otherwise

[11:50 am, 30/11/2020] +: Breadtalk donate their bread to NGO

[11:50 am, 30/11/2020] +: Otherwise thrown food yah out of the question

[11:51 am, 30/11/2020] +: It is very hard to manage perishable

[11:52 am, 30/11/2020] +: Erm ok you also need to consolidate your messages into one as far as possible

[11:57 am, 30/11/2020] +: There are companies already setup to deal with it.

https://www.uglyfood.com.sg

But Singapore rarely catch up to this due to some reasons. 

Local NGO is doing such a good job that they rarely even need to take ugly food.

Local Singapore that can afford, don’t think is worth buying or even avoid in normal supermarkets that looks weird. Amount of wastage I pretty sure supermarkets know that is part of the running cost.

Perishable most NGO won’t take due to the problem of if not consume it will be thrown. High number of waste will required manpower and cost to throw them away hence most NGO reject them.

The benefit of keeping them safe to eat is quite stressful for most. Unless we have a team of people willing to work on it for free for the clause if not it will be all just talk.

[11:57 am, 30/11/2020] +: I think gov official correspondence will be via SPM.


[0:01 pm, 30/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

1. I support the use of less plastic bag.

2. But single use plastic bags from supermarket are dual used - as they are used to bag liquid and solid wastes at home.

3. If supermarket start to levy charges for plastic bag, how to bag the liquid waste and solid waste at home?

3. Many people may just throw their waste down in the rubbish chutes and pollute the environment.


[0:01 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Lol ugly something has arose from his slumber, let us evacuate πŸ˜‚


Ken

[0:05 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Plastic bag are actually cost effective and carbon effective then reusable ones...πŸ˜…

Cause we rarely reuse the plastic bag enough for the so called reusable bags. 

But to pay for plastic bags I do agree, will force the supermarket to think of ways to reduce packaging. Or the consumers to be more aware of plastic bags.

Disclaimer I work in plastic resin plant. But is based on what I observed.


Blue and White Flag Guy

[0:06 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I personally don't dispose of plastic bags immediately, can always reuse it for something else so long the bag is clean


Ken

[0:06 pm, 30/11/2020] +: The so call biodegradable plastic bags actually is making recycling harder

[0:07 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Which is actually not environmental friendly due to micro plastic generated and hence banned in the whole EU.


[0:08 pm, 30/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

NTUC is charging the use of plastic bag.

I worry that people will stop bagging their waste at home and start to throw their liquid waste and solid waste down the rubbish chutes.

This will invite more cockroaches, ants, mosquito.


Ken

[0:08 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Lots of EU countries buy their disposal bag and count disposal by bag

[0:08 pm, 30/11/2020] +: No bag no throw

[0:09 pm, 30/11/2020] +: It is still hard for Singapore

[0:09 pm, 30/11/2020] +: We just throw without consequences...

+left

[0:09 pm, 30/11/2020] +: A fixed fee and don’t need to care.. which is causing a major problems for cities


[0:10 pm, 30/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

But they are still using plastic bags to bag waste - which is cost to people.


[0:10 pm, 30/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Now people got it free by buying groceries.


Ken

[0:10 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Cause you use money to buy, you will make sure you use it till full. Cause it is not cheap.


[0:11 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Non-bank financial institutions to get access to FAST, PayNow

From February next year, eligible non-bank financial institutions will have direct access to retail payment services like Fast and Secure Transfers (FAST) and PayNow. 

This will allow users to make real-time funds transfers between bank accounts and e-wallets, as well as across different e-wallets, said the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in a media release on Monday (Nov 30). 

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/paynow-fast-mas-non-bank-financial-institutions-13667768


Ken

[0:11 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Hence use less bags


[0:11 pm, 30/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Exactly the cost is not cheap.


[0:12 pm, 30/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Rich people no issue.

Lower and middle income people will make noise.


Ken

[0:12 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Yah... hence not possible till we all think it is necessary to control it

[0:12 pm, 30/11/2020] +: To fit our way of living

[0:13 pm, 30/11/2020] +: If we can spilt organic waste and non organic waste first will be a first step


Anne

[0:14 pm, 30/11/2020] +: My hb and I don’t mind ugly food if can get at lower price or free. Maybe can explore this area. Or charge higher for pretty looking food.

[0:19 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Point 3 is spot on - that’s what cheap skate people will do - and many Singaporeans can be pretty cheap skate.


[0:36 pm, 30/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Well reuse plastic bags to bag home waste is the MoEnv initiative.

It encourage people to do so.

I am not sure whether it is cheap skate or not.

But I certainly support this idea, because it encourage people not to pollute the environment, and also reused the plastic bag and not to waste them.


[0:37 pm, 30/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

It also helps lower income and middle income to save money.


[0:38 pm, 30/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

Three benefits.


[0:21 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Possibly

[0:29 pm, 30/11/2020] +: πŸ‘

[0:32 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Does it include kopitiam cards?

[0:45 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Local inventor creates portable PCR test kit for Covid-19 which can detect coronavirus in 5 minutes https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/local-inventor-creates-portable-pcr-test-kit-for-covid-19-which-can-detect-coronavirus-in?&utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=addtoany

[0:46 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Cyber security faces threat from 'ransomware': Yomiuri Shimbun https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/cyber-security-faces-threat-from-ransomware-yomiuri-shimbun?&utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=addtoany

[0:47 pm, 30/11/2020] +: They're nearly a century old and have spent three quarters of their life married to one another:: https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/theyre-nearly-century-old-and-have-spent-three-quarters-their-life-married-one-another?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=addtoany

[1:02 pm, 30/11/2020] +: πŸ’¬ How can we play a more active part in Singapore’s sustainability efforts?

1) Waste less. This will include industries, retail, businesses and residents all to play their part. Incentivize different segments to waste less and gamify programs that encourage less waste or recycling.

2) For general waste, find a way to turn ALL of them into recycled materials or resources. Heavy subsidies for companies who specialize in turn waste into green products.

3) For the 30x30 plan, giving out free seeds is a good move. I’ve seen many friends share on FB their grown plants etc. it’s still a long way but that’s a good start to get us interested in green and gardening.

4) Wont talk about automating farms here which I’ve already covered. Ensure farms themselves reduc…

[1:14 pm, 30/11/2020] +: We should add another R to the three Rs:  Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

[1:15 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Bag your Refuse - wrong Refuse but you get what I mean 🀭


[1:15 pm, 30/11/2020] ☸️  Danny εΏƒ: 

This new SafeEntry gateway is a vast improvement.

No need to scan the QR code on the tracetogether token.

It instead use Bluetooth to communicate between the tracetogether token Bluetooth signal with the gateway to register entry.


[1:16 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I refuse go bag my refuse properly and dropping them into the recycle bin hoping that it can be recycled

[1:17 pm, 30/11/2020] +: AI automation is taking over jobs. Will anyone be spared?:: https://www.asiaone.com/digital/ai-automation-taking-over-jobs-will-anyone-be-spared?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=addtoany

[1:19 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reflect

[1:20 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Lai I joker add another one

[1:20 pm, 30/11/2020] +: OR REGRET

[1:21 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Eventually, we have to reduce operation cost and efficiency. 

Yes more jobs will be lost, but also more jobs will be created to support the AI related jobs. 

Low skill workers will be at risk that’s for sure.

[1:21 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Nobad

[1:21 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Regret will be when climate change wrecks havoc on the world

[1:22 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Either this or companies move to countries that are more willing to adopt technologies

[1:22 pm, 30/11/2020] +: #notadadbutadadjoke

[1:22 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Youngsters no regret, they yolo attitude

[1:22 pm, 30/11/2020] +: πŸ‘€

[1:22 pm, 30/11/2020] +: But of course there are those who actually care luh so don't discredit them because of the majority of YPs out there πŸ˜†

[1:23 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Yes, there are some

[1:23 pm, 30/11/2020] +: The only way ppl will go green is when there’s incentives

[1:23 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Or up tariff

[1:23 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Just like the Steps Challenge and LumiHealth etc

[1:23 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Many policy are... lol if not who want to rock the boat?

[1:23 pm, 30/11/2020] +: You gamify it

[1:24 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Or even bother to do it?

[1:24 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Gamification is widespread across the world but of course my examples are all mobility

[1:25 pm, 30/11/2020] +: When you have rewards for green actions, collectively will see some change

[1:27 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Some RC got trash for cash initiative

[1:27 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Bring in recyclables and once u hit certain weight, they give u ntuc voucher

[1:27 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Not enough bah

[1:27 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Not widespread enough

[1:27 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Bo bian ah, nobody supporting

[1:28 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Unless top down from nea initiatives with refuse collectors

[1:28 pm, 30/11/2020] +: But use a lot of resources

[1:28 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Hence gov initiatives for green companies must be high

[1:28 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Like solar panels etc

[1:30 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Lol y'all should meet my mum someday after this C-word, she has lots to say 'bout recycling and I don't disagree with her

[1:31 pm, 30/11/2020] +: C-word? Coconut?

[1:31 pm, 30/11/2020] +: COVID

[1:31 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Entire industries need to change too

[1:32 pm, 30/11/2020] +: In Europe they are using wood as building materials instead of concrete etc

[1:32 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Exactly, we mention before hor - don't just curb the demand, supply has to be curbed as well what

[1:32 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Renewable resources is the way to go

[1:41 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Agree

[1:45 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Two private firms to operate 30 SCDF ambulances as part of new Government-contractor model https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/scdf-private-ambulance-operators-respond-emergency-calls-model-13667770#.X8SHAR1Jd9Y.whatsapp

[1:46 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Two private firms to operate 30 SCDF ambulances as part of new Government-contractor model

Two private ambulance operators contracted to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will respond to emergency calls in SCDF uniforms and ambulances starting from Tuesday (Dec 1). 

This follows a new contract between SCDF and the two private ambulance operators - Unistrong Technology and Lentor Ambulance, said SCDF on Monday. 

Under the new model, crew from the two operators are trained to respond to a wider range of emergencies, such as mass casualty incidents and unconventional threats involving chemical, biological, radiological and explosive elements.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/scdf-private-ambulance-operators-respond-emergency-calls-model-13667770

[1:46 pm, 30/11/2020] +: LOL ambulance also tio GCM

[1:49 pm, 30/11/2020] +: How can.

[1:50 pm, 30/11/2020] +: what's GCM?

[1:56 pm, 30/11/2020] +: in a National emergency, are employees of the ambulance needed to help?

[1:57 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I think it's not a bad idea actually. Doing this may increase efficiency, and these firms will have to comply with strict guidelines and i'm sure they will do their best to comply as they wouldn't want to breach the contract or have the contract terminated or not renewed (hence reduces complacency in the profession).

[1:57 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I'm sure their contracts will require the vendors to do so

[1:58 pm, 30/11/2020] +: are they oblige to work/help?

[2:14 pm, 30/11/2020] +: https://goodyfeed.com/movement-restrictions-dorms/

[2:18 pm, 30/11/2020] +: LTA calls for bids to build 600 electric vehicle charging points in 200 carparks https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-calls-for-bids-to-build-600-electric-vehicle-charging-points-in-200-carparks?&utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=addtoany

[2:20 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Aiyo read the title lah sia

[2:20 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I means what does it mean?

[2:20 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Just a contract?

[2:20 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Or what's the different with other contract

[2:21 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Economy is slow. Gahmen spending to help provide employment and create activities.

[2:21 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Is essentially the same reason why mah buses are green

[2:23 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I thought they are green because the corporate colour is green. πŸ€£πŸ˜‰πŸ€­

[2:24 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Uh no

[2:24 pm, 30/11/2020] +: The green stands for "gahmen takes over"

[2:26 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Green economy

[2:32 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I support this move. Not all first responders have to be from gov agencies. As long as they are trained professionals, they will do a competent job (maybe they work even better cos contractor is NOT iron rice bowl).

[2:32 pm, 30/11/2020] +: My 2.14 cents

[2:33 pm, 30/11/2020] +: NEA also outsource to CISCO to check dengue liao

[2:33 pm, 30/11/2020] +: This I actually agree, there are private ambulance drivers out there

[2:33 pm, 30/11/2020] +: but I not sure how to see they from CISCO or NEA if they wear the NEA unfirom

[2:33 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Wasn’t there an initiative a few years ago to train ppl with CPR and first responder skills at community level?

[2:34 pm, 30/11/2020] +: CEPP

[2:34 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I think we were on high alert about terrorist attack back then

[2:34 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Yes this

[2:34 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Hence volunteers could be first responder too

[2:34 pm, 30/11/2020] +: CEPP wasn't really terrorism-focused like SGSecure kind

[2:35 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I think they bundle them up together lol

[2:35 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Cepp is like the foundation

[2:35 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Sg secure is the more indepth one

[2:35 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Cos security threat and first response goes hand in hand

[2:35 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I know because i attended both before

[2:35 pm, 30/11/2020] +: The idea is hide, help and survive

[2:35 pm, 30/11/2020] +: No

[2:35 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Run hide tell

[2:36 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Haha yes this

[2:36 pm, 30/11/2020] +: You saw through me

[2:36 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Tried to smoke haha

[2:36 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Cos im a legitimate cert holder

[2:36 pm, 30/11/2020] +: HAHAHA

[2:36 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Alvin you rusty

[2:36 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Although when accident really happen, 90% I will panic and skip some

[2:37 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Actually SG curi Run Hide Tell from US 

US is Run Hide Fight

[2:38 pm, 30/11/2020] +: They got gun, we no have

[2:38 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Nothing to fight with

[2:38 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Why everything must be gun one

[2:38 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Their fight is ambush the guy lol

[2:38 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Terrorist hold gun how we fight

[2:39 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Bruh what's the difference

[2:39 pm, 30/11/2020] +: We can even ask someone to put on mask properly, not to mention, confront a armed guy

[2:49 pm, 30/11/2020] +: New Mediacorp initiative lets public donate festive care packs to people with disabilities

Mediacorp on Monday (Nov 30) launched the Mediacorp Care&Share initiative, which lets members of the public do their part for vulnerable members of the community during the festive season.

Organised in collaboration with SG Enable and partner brands, the digital campaign aims to rally the public to purchase and donate 2,000 specially curated festive packs to people with disabilities.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-mediacorp-initiative-lets-public-donate-care-packs-13668480

[3:42 pm, 30/11/2020] +: But must meet critical criteria KPI like response time. Must be monitored for capabilities. Better than or at least meet existing

[3:45 pm, 30/11/2020] +: 5 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, including 1 in the community

Singapore reported five new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Monday (Nov 30), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its preliminary daily update.

Of the new cases, one was a locally transmitted infection in the community and four were imported. 

No new cases were found in foreign workers' dormitories, said the health ministry. 

Details of the new cases will be released on Monday night, MOH added.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-new-cases-nov-30-community-imported-moh-coronavirus-13667514

[4:08 pm, 30/11/2020] +: https://youtu.be/Kn2jbxDQ658

[4:12 pm, 30/11/2020] +: URA and LTA launch pilot tender for electric vehicle charging points in public car parks

More than 200 public car parks across Singapore may have charging stations for electric vehicles by the third quarter of 2022.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Monday (Nov 30) announced the launch of Singapore's pilot tender for electric vehicle charging points at public car parks.

The tender covers the installation and operation of more than 600 charging points at more than 200 public car parks in housing estates, industrial estates, parks and community centres. 

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ura-lta-tender-electric-vehicle-charging-points-car-parks-hdb-13668548

[5:09 pm, 30/11/2020] +: is it true that SDAs are employed by the mall itself?

[5:09 pm, 30/11/2020] +: or deployed by the gov?

[5:10 pm, 30/11/2020] +: About 1,250 workers to benefit from new training council by Shell and local employees’ union

Oil giant Shell has partnered with the Singapore Shell Employees’ Union (SSEU) to set up a council to train and upskill about 1,250 workers, in line with the company’s 10-year plan to cut its own carbon emissions in Singapore by about a third.

The Joint Capability Council (JCC), which comprises management representatives from both groups, aims to address training gaps in existing programmes and help equip workers with relevant skills, Shell and SSEU said in a joint release on Monday (Nov 30).

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/shell-singapore-sseu-training-council-upskill-1250-workers-13669090

[5:14 pm, 30/11/2020] +: how can we sustain SMM for a long period of time. even when in Phase 3

[5:15 pm, 30/11/2020] +: I think thru public education

[5:15 pm, 30/11/2020] +: like review of outbreaks like in Hong Kong & Korea - will work?

[5:17 pm, 30/11/2020] +: like this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBMvz4SI-Ok

[6:21 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Netizens ask why some employers demand to see PSLE results if they are not defined by scores 

 https://theindependent.sg/netizens-ask-why-some-employers-demand-to-see-psle-results-if-they-are-not-defined-by-scores/

[6:22 pm, 30/11/2020] +: F&B outlets in CBD, tourist areas seeing slow recovery; businesses need to pivot online: Chan Chun Sing

Some segments in the food and beverage (F&B) sector are still seeing slow recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said, reiterating the need for F&B companies to transform and diversify their revenue streams.

“Recovery remains slow for some segments, including outlets in the Central Business District and tourism-focused areas, as well as catering companies,” he said in prepared remarks on Monday (Nov 30) after visiting the Swee Choon dim sum restaurant in Jalan Besar.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/covid-19-food-beverage-slow-recovery-online-chan-chun-sing-13668956

[6:23 pm, 30/11/2020] +: This, is spreading hatred imo

[6:24 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Take psle like pri 4 streaming will do ma

[6:25 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Imagine throwing a student who cant study (eg. Me) into a JC, not only will my real result suffer, I might end up being stressed and depressed too

[6:25 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Lol can I show them a metal bar at the end of escalators at a certain MRT station? 😊

[6:26 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Ooh, got meh?

[6:29 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Really!?

[6:30 pm, 30/11/2020] +: Got, no need show results la if can contribute to real life I think that's already way more powerful than some numbers 😊

[6:38 pm, 30/11/2020] +: https://goodyfeed.com/large-gathering-tekka-centre/

[6:39 pm, 30/11/2020] +: https://mothership.sg/2020/11/only-eg-egg-substitute/

[6:45 pm, 30/11/2020] +: 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

[6:49 pm, 30/11/2020] +: πŸ‘πŸ€™✋πŸ™πŸ‘ŒπŸ‘

[6:54 pm, 30/11/2020] +: gdnite megan!

[6:59 pm, 30/11/2020] +: 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

+changed the group description. Click to view.


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