Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Updates

[starlight1968sg]

While papers said more became jobless, there are some jobs in shortage eg security guards

[lee_yl]

Nebbermind\" post_id=\"1990873\" time=\"1597375436\" user_id=\"15571:

lee_yl\" post_id=\"1990000\" time=\"1596851749\" user_id=\"17023:

I don’t have the figures but I think at least half the FWs in SG don’t stay inside dorms and are actually residing in outside premises, usually rental units sourced by their companies in HDBs/old private apartment).

As we can see from the daily MOH report, we have hundreds of FWs residing inside dorms being tested positive on a daily basis VS only a handful for those FWs residing outside of dorms are tested positive.

The govt has admitted that the FWs residing inside dorms are in an environment closely packed (no possibility of social distancing) which helps to spread infectious diseases fast. Covid-19 is not the first epidemic in the dorms, there was an earlier chickenpox epidemic, which is why there’s urgency to test and separate the infected FWs from the healthy ones in order to contain the spread of virus. Not to mention to confine the FWs to the dorms to quarantine them there.

We will never know how closely packed they are in private lodging...may be even worse coz it's kinda free for all in those old shophouses, or old private apt.

Personally, the main diff is the cluster size....like 1000s for the dorms vs 10s outside. It only takes a couple of the workers to be infected to start a huge cluster in the dorm. Whereas for those living outside, had they stuck to their SHN, if there's no spark, there will be no fire. At that scale, it is more easy to contain.

As for the living condition of the dorms, I don't expect the operators to provide housekeeping svc. Their living quarter should be upkept by the workers....if our 18 yo ns boys can do it, then I believe they should be able to be at least half as good. But, unfortunately, I believe it is a cultural issue, ie, most of them probably came from a very different living condition as what we normally see in SG. Recently, I drove pass Chancery Courts....think it was converted the enbloc condo to house some of them. From the outside, I could see that it was turning into some squatter estate....laundry randomly hung all over the yard/turf area. It is like that one....just like some HDB dwellers think it is ok to hang their laundry at the playground

Last time maybe but after one of the shophouses in Geylang caught fire, rules have now been tightened and the landlords are not allowed to pack too many FWs in old apartments.
There was once a chicken pox epidemic and only those staying inside dorms were impacted.

I can agree the FWs should be responsible for own housekeeping since those who rent HDBs, housekeeping also not provided. Aiya, all the males staying together, what do you expect from them right? Even for NSFs, if not for the instructors’ hectoring, do you think the level of cleanliness will be any better?

If dormitories charge each pax $80 or $100 then of cos I will tell them, hello, so cheap already what else you expect? But given that 2pax sharing a HDB common room at $500 per room ($250 per pax), then FW paying $250-$300 for a bunk bed space, under relatively poor living conditions, then something somewhere is not right.

[RoastChickenDance]

可容纳2900病患 裕廊商场Big Box变身社区护理设施

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/znews/singapore/story20200817-1077410

DEAD MALL BIG BOX IN JURONG HAS TURNED INTO MEDICAL FACILITY TO HOUSE COVID-19 CASES
https://goodyfeed.com/big-box-community-facility/

[HVR]

RoastChickenDance\" post_id=\"1991329\" time=\"1597661041\" user_id=\"161727:

可容纳2900病患 裕廊商场Big Box变身社区护理设施
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/znews/singapore/story20200817-1077410

DEAD MALL BIG BOX IN JURONG HAS TURNED INTO MEDICAL FACILITY TO HOUSE COVID-19 CASES
https://goodyfeed.com/big-box-community-facility/

Thanks. I was curious how the premises was being used in this covid fight.

Good to know also that certain facilities such as NUS student hostels, Tg Pagar container port, a few army camps have either returned to their respective original managements/institutions or placed in 'reserve' and to be used as CCF again in short notice, should the situation warrants it.

[HVR]

Another 8b will be used to help affected businesses and individuals to weather this storm. As announced by DPM Heng today, the measures will in place till March 2021. How on earth can we say the govt will take money only? I think it is more like give and give in current situation and rightly so, as we have been making hays while the sun was shining and now we can consume those hays. Hopefully, the sun will shine again soon and we can all go out to make hays again. While doing so, we must bear in mind of this pandemic and be prepared to start storing our hays again. Right now even with the decreasing cases daily, we must still be on our guard. Do use TT app, wear mask, register with SafeEntry when we are out and about.

[Estéema]

HVR\" post_id=\"1991339\" time=\"1597666432\" user_id=\"32808:

Another 8b will be used to help affected businesses and individuals to weather this storm. As announced by DPM Heng today, the measures will in place till March 2021. How on earth can we say the govt will take money only? I think it is more like give and give in current situation and rightly so, as we have been making hays while the sun was shining and now we can consume those hays. Hopefully, the sun will shine again soon and we can all go out to make hays again. While doing so, we must bear in mind of this pandemic and be prepared to start storing our hays again. Right now even with the decreasing cases daily, we must still be on our guard. Do use TT app, wear mask, register with SafeEntry when we are out and about.

Agree. Our govt hv been planning ahead & whip out reserves which they’ve nvr did before, to quickly help citizens to meet urgent needs arising fr COVID inconveniences. I see their ability to react wisely with immediacy not even touching reserves when SARS happened nor bulk under opposition’s taunting to do so, nor when President OTC wants to use his key.

Many citizens don’t seem to u’stand what current govt is doing & ever so easily swayed by divisive accusations. Even yday was reading what Lim Thean shamelessly rant against our leaders.

We hv to be very clear we need to be united to fight COVID & all the impact to bz, jobs & livelihoods. Losses during COVID are not the govt’s doing but adjustments certainly need to be made fr times when our economy was booming & needs some FT/FW. Now, govt extending duration of support for individuals & businesses & plan ahead for rebound once there’s a chance.

Our main community kept safe, but we’ve all gotta do our part to cooperate in being vigilant & keep ourselves & ppl ard is safe. Let’s be responsible, caring & be UNITED behind our govt. Let’s look out for each other & help those in need or help point them to the right organizations to get help.

Take care

[Gilian039]

I am with the govt too, let's trust our leaders and just do our part

[RoastChickenDance]

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[HVR]

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/about-100-covid-19-cases-found-in-cleared-dorms-during-routine-testing-mom-and-moh


This is one main concern in the fight of covid. Despite residing in 'cleared' dorms, some workers were subsequently found to be positive. The challenge is that after the dorms are cleared, these workers can resume work and naturally, they will interact with so many other parties from leaving the dorms, working at sites and returning to the dorms. In the process just need 1 of them to catch the virus and the whole spreading cycle will start again. This show that the virus is highly contagious and these cases were detected early with the periodic swab tests. This to certain extend help to quickly isolate relevant individuals and contain the spread.

I guess this is the new normal we have to live with, unless we want total shut down which is unsustainable. It has become clearer with days go by that lockdown is not sustainable and is a slow suicide in term of economy. For short period at the initial stage, when we have no clue what to do, lockdown is inevitable. Going forward, early detection, isolation and treatment of cases should be our approach in the covid fight. With low mortality rate and with healthcare system not overwhelm, we should realistically expect daily new cases, with fluctuation in number, until the vaccine is developed and used. Meanwhile use TT app, token, SafeEntry, wear mask and reduce social gathering in size and frequency.

[HVR]

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/have-you-herd-new-york-might-have-immunitybut-please-dont-count-on-it-the-mayor-pleads-2020-08-21?mod=newsviewer_click&link=sfmw_fb&fbclid=IwAR3Q7G1Cg3ORmIH8a_axBloTPxWPjz6mS1kKw1jkTlS2otCCHz7dFlNpi1s


There is no proof on herd immunity. People who tested positive for coronavirus anitbodies could well be asymptomatic carriers who contracted and recovered from the virus without any medical intervention. Herd immunity is as good as allowing everyone to be infected by the virus and the fittest among all will survive. It is in fact a viable strategy since the mortality rate of covid-19 is low. However, it is also known that older people and people with certain pre-exists conditions are likely to succumb to the virus. In addition, those who recovered from it may have to live with some complication such as reduced lung capacity. Our fatality rate may shoot up if the vulnerable groups are allowed to contract the virus with aim of gaining herd immunity.