Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Updates

[.010675zeit]

Actually it’s not like educated Singaporeans don’t know it’s not lethal and that with our state of the art healthcare facilities, SARS experience and stringent ICA measures, we won’t die la.


It’s the INCONVENIENCE caused, should any of our vulnerable next of kin (elderly parents/in laws/school going kids) happen to touch a surface previously touched by a confirmed patient and had to be mandatorily separated from one another by law.

I read that the assistant CL teacher from Singapore American School had to be placed on LOA after both her PRC in-laws (Lorong Lew Lian family) were both tested positive. I also read how one special needs child in China died after no one took care of him when his dad and bro were quarantined in Wuhan. And another girl was orphaned when 2 immediate family members died of this nCoV in Wuhan epicentre.

I don’t know if the China news are fake, but I know here in Singapore, it’s gonna be super inconvenient for parents or spouses if any helper/primary caregiver is put under ‘solitary confinement’ in the hospital for 2 weeks. Worse, if the person to be quarantined is a toddler or primary school kid. Thankfully, the Singapore American School teacher is a single adult who can take care of herself during her LOA.

Imagine the scramble by working parents to find alternative childcare and eldercare support, the haywire situation of having to replace weekly tuition classes, the catching up on tutorials missed especially for the academically weaker students, the loss of income for sole breadwinner (e.g. those Grab drivers), and so on.

It’s not gonna be fun at all when a minor is living in isolation, with nurses coming in to take his/her temps and X-rays every day or just whiling her time away in a govt chalet. It’s not like you rest in the comfort of your home for 3-5 days MC and can still drive out to grab some sundry stuffs.

麻烦 are 2 words that come to mind. Yet, it is precisely this fear of 麻烦 that has tempted some people to flout the LoA advisory. I seriously suspect some CL tutors are lying that they didn’t return home. The last lesson was 19 Jan, and with this year’s super long weekend, they would have booked a homebound airticket before they knew about the lockdown or the novel virus, for those who live in other cities. haha

[yh214]

Hi please advise me about my neighbours!


My neighbours probably come from Hubei province, usually a couple live here but recently many Chinese people live in 1room unit!
I think they are family, there are 6-8ppl here.
I requested our management office but they said they can’t do anything for them.
They are coughing( I don’t know who is) and sneezing.
I am really scared. Btw, they open the door all the day and very loud voice…
Anyway, I dont know what to do. Pls advise!!!

[MrsKiasu]

MyPillow\" post_id=\"1961710\" time=\"1580712634\" user_id=\"70594:

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"1961704\" time=\"1580711985\" user_id=\"28674:

[quote=MrsKiasu post_id=1961680 time=1580705682 user_id=43981]to catch droplets..I remember slmkhoo mentioned something like making do with cloth mask, wash it..I been using cloth mask till now. Still haven't receive my 'surgical' masks .

That's what I thought then, but it was a poor suggestion: it seems that since the cotton fabric can get damp and doesn't dry while in use, it's not a good option (can be a breeding ground for other bugs). Of course, it will block big droplets, but just like the surgical masks, it does not block everything, and can also be contaminated on the outside. Even N95 doesn't work well as the virus is smaller than what the mask screens out. Hand hygiene and not touching the face are still the best strategies. See articles below:

https://www.businessinsider.sg/wuhan-coronavirus-face-masks-not-entirely-effective-2020-1/?r=US&IR=T
https://www.forbes.com/sites/leahrosenbaum/2020/01/29/should-you-get-a-face-mask-a-guide-to-coronavirus-face-protection/#4d94acb530a5

if everybody can be not so kiasu, then it is easier; education , education & education to Gen public
Bring a hanky along /cloth mask is gd idea for timebeing, just cover out half face & hurry get out of the area if too crowded

As of yest, only 6 % collect the free masks, i collected for my mum - no Q
I wonder .... many kiasu people already bought masks or have masks so need the precious 4 pcs of masks like us
we din anyhow wear masks around too, just got to be v careful , not to touch our face , mouths with naked dirty hands
in fact, wearing the surgical mask also not very comfortable n breathe free... i wore a while last week when i had sore throat .[/quote]better than not wearing any ..

[MrsKiasu]

pirate\" post_id=\"1961712\" time=\"1580713151\" user_id=\"66252:

I would worry more about dengue. We already have 604 cases between 19 to 31 January this year.

:nailbite:

[Estéema]

Jadedfox\" post_id=\"1961702\" time=\"1580711917\" user_id=\"180340:

A Singapore doctor has spoken out against the Singapore government's new advice to not wear mask in public if one is well, describing the move as reckless and a XXXXX on human lives:

\"Not wearing a mask in public greatly expose yourself to potential super-spreaders who, for any reasons or fears they have, are not seeking treatment... While I understand that there is a shortage of face mask in Singapore, the advice is reckless and a XXXXX on human lives. Many patients, especially the elderly ones, do not visit the hospital until their conditions become serious or when they feel they are unable to recover from self-medication and this is why all the more healthy people should protect themselves in public.\"

MOH propaganda poster telling people not to wear mask; Facebook

The doctor who works in a government hospital spoke to over the phone on conditions of anonymity. The Singapore doctor said many colleagues expressed similar reservations when they heard the Ministry of Health is telling the public not to wear a mask if, they think, they are feeling well. None of them spoke out against the ministry's directive out of fear they may face repercussions.

The doctor also pointed out that during the SARS outbreak in 2003, the Singapore government did not issue the \"reckless\" advice and they handled the situation much better. The Singapore government is also the only one that issues such an advice.

The Taiwan authorities have issued the following health measures for the public:
1) Wear a mask
2) Wash your hands with soap
3) Avoid crowded places
4) Avoid uncooked meat
5) See a doctor if you have been to China and are feeling unwell within 14 days

Taiwan government poster; China Times

Singapore's 5.7 million population currently needs at least 160 million face masks a month, and each face mask can only be used for a maximum of 6 hours. The Singapore government refused to declare how many face masks they have in stock, and only 4 pieces were issued to each household.

I’m always cringing when ppl post falsehoods & claim interviews conducted in anonymity & pull a power punch of an un-named doctor. I’m always suspecting the agendas of ppl who starts blaming the govt as those opposition always inevitably does. PLEASE NOTE that the govt are all just as human & vulnerable with all sensibilities need to protect the doctors & nurses who are the ones we will depend on to tests, investigate, quarantine & treat patients to full recovery. They need to balance resources until it’s an outbreak.

For me, Dr Vasoo, Dr Leong Hoe Nam (in private practice not subj to politicians control) as well as many public doctors who publicly gave advices that there is no community spread in Singapore & unless u are ill or elderly and vulnerable with existing chronic diseases grp , do not need face masks except practice good hygiene & treat yr face sacred by not touching it. Frequent washing with water as it breaks down the cells of these viruses.

Singapore govt is alr pouring resources & channeling to the most needed areas at timely manner w/o causing public panic.

Issuing surgical masks is only to ensure needy families & those who tried but fail to purchase own supplies esp with family members who are vulnerable. If govt issue by the boxes, I believe many SG families are fit & do not require. Then public funds goes to waste. We were issued like every SG families our 4 masks. We gave ours to in-laws as they’re elderly & FIL is high risk even before he was admitted to hospital. Hubby managed to buy a box & shared with siblings. We were out for kids’ haircut & went to collect shoes at a shop at Suntec. We spotted a M’sian family & a PRC family shopping. Both M’sian family & my family paid & collected our shoes & Scoot our of Shop leaving the other family choosing boxes after boxes of latest model shoes. No tarrying ard for long w/o masks. MIL did not wear either & it’s our choice. Nothing abt the govt telling us not to wear.

I do hope KSP members be more careful & not make sweeping or unsubstantiated statements to mislead the public.

The govt had alr supported the medical professionals & scientists with resources to work on & produce the thermal scanner for the SARS screening, which was the world’s first. Now the govt stepped in to support the taxi drivers & companies who will suffer losses of livelihood during this period of self-quarantine & reduced tourists spendings.

I’m thankful Spore is comparatively safe & still open to others, except clamp down specifically on those specifically travelled fr China and acted swiftly & appropriately when the situation calls for. When did our govt risks Singaporean or those medical angels’ lives? Please provide factual proof & not hide in anonymity & claimed those are inside info to be believed you’re not carrier of lies & falsehoods. If it’s the truth, stand out tell us his/her name to ensure credibility & respect.

Just furious for those with agendas to cause disruptions to mislead!

[phtthp]

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/coronavirus-how-wuhan-lost-the-fight-to-contain-the-virus

[starlight1968sg]

I hv a big bottle of expired hand rub. What can I do with it besides dump? Tks.

[Coolkidsrock2]

starlight1968sg\" post_id=\"1961762\" time=\"1580729835\" user_id=\"14025:

I hv a big bottle of expired hand rub. What can I do with it besides dump? Tks.

Clean furniture or wash toilet?

I have been cleaning furniture with hand sanitisation.

[floppy]

Coolkidsrock2\" post_id=\"1961765\" time=\"1580730591\" user_id=\"48901:

starlight1968sg\" post_id=\"1961762\" time=\"1580729835\" user_id=\"14025:

I hv a big bottle of expired hand rub. What can I do with it besides dump? Tks.

Clean furniture or wash toilet?

I have been cleaning furniture with hand sanitisation.

I second that suggestion.

[MyPillow]

Still can use to rub hands so long there is no itch or allergy . My work place one . I afraid the shine of wood furniture may be affected ?