Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Updates

[SeongheeKim]

S’poreans Treat Frontline Healthcare Workers To Coffee & Chicken Rice So They’ll Stay Well-Fed On Duty

https://mustsharenews.com/coffee-chicken-rice-healthcare/

To donate:
https://www.facebook.com/OKCHICKENRICE/posts/996657747402255

[tutormum]

I am wondering what happened to the intelligence on the ground. Surely when masks started flying off the shelves, there must be something fishy happening somewhere. For items such as medicines and medical supplies, masks, daily essentials etc they should come under controlled items. The PM Office should be immediately informed when there is a spike in sales and immediate actions taken to stop the looting. Moreover, the government only close borders after a petition for doing so. :faint: It showed that someone was sleeping. If LKY is still around, that person's head would have rolled.


Immediate measures like limiting 1 box per person per household to ensure a balanced distribution should be implemented immediately. Imagine those elderly and illiterate not knowing what was going on and ended up without any masks in this case. Personally I was also oblivious to what was going on and believe many of us were. I bet more than 80% of us is depending on the 4 masks given if not for the balance from the haze period. I am feeling thankful for the haze now. Macau for example limited 10 pieces per person and civilians are entitled to buy every 10 days. Selling by proof of identity also ensures that sales go to their own citizens. Taiwan has a system whereby citizens with identity card ending with odd numbers to buy on certain days and even numbers on other days to avoid overcrowding.
There is no shame in learning how other countries handle the crisis to improve ours. It seems that the lessons that we learnt from SARS period are very inadequate. Hopefully, we learn more from this virus and do better next time. :nunchuk:

[lee_yl]

For 2 consecutive weeks, MOH already noticed unusual buying of surgical masks and N95 in bulk at pharmacies as well as hijacking them in cartons at warehouses, to be sent back to China, to help.


By the time I realize I need to get some masks, islandwide already no stock, I remembered clearly it was 23rd Jan, the day ST reported that masks were sold out. I wonder why there were no restrictions placed on the number of masks each person can buy earlier.

I asked DH why MOH did not step in to restrict bulk purchases? He said because MOH is not in charge of surgical masks sales mah. MOH is only in charge of hospital stuff.

So guess who is in-charge of mask sales?? :evil:

[tutormum]

lee_yl\" post_id=\"1963268\" time=\"1581517557\" user_id=\"17023:

For 2 consecutive weeks, MOH already noticed unusual buying of surgical masks and N95 in bulk at pharmacies as well as hijacking them in cartons at warehouses, to be sent back to China, to help.

By the time I realize I need to get some masks, islandwide already no stock, I remembered clearly it was 23rd Jan, the day ST reported that masks were sold out. I wonder why there were no restrictions placed on the number of masks each person can buy earlier.

I asked DH why MOH did not step in to restrict bulk purchases? He said because MOH is not in charge of surgical masks sales mah. MOH is only in charge of hospital stuff.

So guess who is in-charge of mask sales?? :evil:

By right, should come under Ministry of Home Affairs as it's part of our defence. Just like the stockpiling of masks and rice. In this case, it should be under G2. :censored: :censored:

[starlight1968sg]

Jadedfox\" post_id=\"1963270\" time=\"1581517689\" user_id=\"180340:

Medical practitioners issue signed letter to advise everyone to wear a mask always when leaving home

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2020/02/12/local-medical-practitioners-issue-signed-letter-to-advise-everyone-to-wear-a-mask-always-when-leaving-home/

Govt said wear a mask if u r unwell. Who to believe now?

[sharonkhoo]

tutormum\" post_id=\"1963266\" time=\"1581515719\" user_id=\"12573:

...Moreover, the government only close borders after a petition for doing so. :faint: It showed that someone was sleeping. ...

I think this was not done because of the petition. The govt has criteria which they use to assess risk etc, and it was coincidence that the decision was taken seemingly in reaction to the petition.

As for masks, the actions of other countries could well have come weeks after they noticed high sales too, just as it has happened in Singapore.

I have some faith in our government - they may not act as quickly as some would like, and they cannot please everyone. There is no perfect solution when things happen suddenly, items are in short supply, and many different objectives (often conflicting) have to be balanced.

[sharonkhoo]

starlight1968sg\" post_id=\"1963281\" time=\"1581544425\" user_id=\"14025:

Jadedfox\" post_id=\"1963270\" time=\"1581517689\" user_id=\"180340:

Medical practitioners issue signed letter to advise everyone to wear a mask always when leaving home

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2020/02/12/local-medical-practitioners-issue-signed-letter-to-advise-everyone-to-wear-a-mask-always-when-leaving-home/

Govt said wear a mask if u r unwell. Who to believe now?

It's a matter of risk appetite. The more risk-averse will recommend more precautions. Given that there is a current shortage of masks world-wide, it would be prudent to limit the use to the most necessary for now. These doctors are giving prudent advice if masks were in abundance, but they are not responsible for supplying all the public hospitals and medical facilities. To be completely safe, each person should wear full protective gear and stay isolated. But who would supply them with goods and services, and keep the country running? And if we have to choose (as it seems we have to at the moment), do we prefer that our medical personnel have masks or people who are much lower risk?

There is always risk in life, and each person daily makes decisions about those risks - walk in the park (dengue)? cross the road (crashed by a car)? breathe (pollutants, all kinds of diseases not just COVID-19)? eat (all kinds of possible contaminants, too much salt/sugar/fat)? Some risk must be accepted, given the limitations of the current situation.

[doodbug]

Theoretically, there is no end to precautions that one can take. Some Chinese cities have gone to the extent of banning people from going out, except one member in a couple of days to buy food and groceries. Some places in China have made it compulsory to don a mask if you are going out - naturally there aren’t sufficient masks so people have to stay at home.


The Singapore Government has to make a judgement call in balancing risks and costs, as well as availability / conservation of efforts and resources.

[Sun_2010]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"1963283\" time=\"1581552205\" user_id=\"28674:

tutormum\" post_id=\"1963266\" time=\"1581515719\" user_id=\"12573:

...Moreover, the government only close borders after a petition for doing so. :faint: It showed that someone was sleeping. ...

I think this was not done because of the petition. The govt has criteria which they use to assess risk etc, and it was coincidence that the decision was taken seemingly in reaction to the petition.

I sure hope the govt is not taking such major decisions based on social media and petitions, that would make me very worried. It should be taking decisions based on policies and subject expert recommendations and impact analysis, while listening to the voice on the ground. And I like to believe that is what it did.

Tough circumstances reveal true character. We will over come COVID-19 . But what we do, and how we do, will show our tenacity. Shutting down at the first signs of distress will feed the paranoia.

tutormum\" post_id=\"1963266\" time=\"1581515719\" user_id=\"12573:

There is no shame in learning how other countries handle the crisis to improve ours.

Very true. I sure hope govt is looking out and adapting the effective ways from other countries . And this is where people sharing what they hear/read about such practices will help highlight them.

[doodbug]

I totally agree. Macau Government implemented the 10 masks every 10 days, purchase with ID policy from the outset of this crisis. Excellent move.