Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Updates
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lee_yl\" post_id=\"2025962\" time=\"1622608906\" user_id=\"17023:
Maybe don’t need a couple of years, who knows within this year, effective anti-viral medication may be available to treat COVID-19. Then our COVID-19 strategy will be Test, Trace and Treat, and no longer Test, Trace and Vaccinate.
Israel has started to research Covid anti-viral medication. Maybe Singapore should go into research on treatment instead of still trying to work on vaccine development.
Why vaccinate when you can treat?
Why do frequent travellers, overseas students and expatriates take flu vaccine annually, when OTC flu meds are readily found in pharmacies and people are still visiting the GP for flu?
Because Prevention is better than Cure! :rahrah:
I think vaccines are more like to prevent your healthcare system (and economy) from being overburdened and collapsing in a pandemic! If everyone's not requiring medical attention, and have enough antibodies to fight the virus on their own, then med resources can be diverted to other more critical cases and doctors can treat other types of patients, e.g. cancer.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccine-benefits.htm
I was also thinking about that when I heard Israel has come up with a possible cure.
SaNOtize nasal spray is currently being used in Israel and NZ in a pilot. Pfizer is also working on its own Covid-19 cure.
More Israeli trials underway:
EXO-CD24 (inhaled medication) - Phase 1 trial concluded, now Phase 2/3
Allocetra - Phase 2 trial
MesenCure - Phase 1 trial concluded
I think our LUNAR-Cov19 is in Phase 2, but no news so far since Jan 2021! :roll:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210104005377/en/Arcturus-Therapeutics-Receives-FDA-Allowance-to-Proceed-with-Phase-2-Study-of-ARCT-021-LUNAR-COV19-Vaccine-Candidate-in-the-United-States
They'd hoped to produce a single-shot mRNA vaccine. Guess it's good education and exposure for our local scientists in this regional pharm hub that we want to call ourselves. They can continue ''playing'' with mRNA since it was meant originally for cancer. -
slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2025941\" time=\"1622595717\" user_id=\"28674:
Ya, also on hindsight, we shouldn't have scheduled to go together.
Just don't schedule anything too active or important for the 2 days after each jab.
Both parents down at the same time very ma-fan...
If need to take booster jabs in future, I'd schedule us to be at least 3-4 days apart. -
slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2025965\" time=\"1622610724\" user_id=\"28674:
Yup, like what US colleges and HK is doing now. Important for those planning to go to these countries within the next 2-3 years.
I don't know what will happen in future, but my guess is that Singapore will go the way of other countries, where restrictions and requirements will be more stringent for the unvaccinated. It could be that certain activities or sports will require the unvaccinated to be tested more frequently, or even excluded. I don't really regard mask-wearing as too bad a restriction - I think we are already quite used to it. But maybe some restaurants may require proof of vaccination, or certain workplaces may do so. That could impact movements, social activities, internships, etc. Perhaps the more introvert won't mind, but I know that my extrovert daughter will grab the first opportunity to be vaccinated. Of course, she is already an adult and doesn't need my permission. But if she were under 18, I would encourage her to get the vaccination as I know that the reduced social and other activities are too stifling for her. Given the current risk profile of the vaccination, I think that risk is a fair trade-off for increased freedom. Who knows how long it will take to develop antivirals that work well? The teenage years are precious.
https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/list-of-colleges-that-require-covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3135560/coronavirus-hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-says-venue-bans -
For me, I see it as a National Service. I want to contribute to the no. of vaccinated residents in my country, so that when we reach 70-80% herd immunity, we can be in the same league (''bubble'') as some of those nations, and can save our Changi Airport and flag carrier.
PM said we must be united and we will be ''among these countries''. If the numbers are not enough because some elderly, sick, young can't contribute to the numbers, the 12-18 teenagers, preggers & breastfeeders should step in to 'contribute' to prop up the percentage, so that our country can reopen quicker before year-end. Currently, the criterion is 70% (full vaccination) to return to the 'new normal'.
It's like Total Defence in a world war where even the country's teenagers must be ready to step forward, next in line, to join the army, the civil defence force, Red Cross, factories that made soldiers' uniforms, kitchens that cook for the soldiers.
Even the teenage Princess Elizabeth stepped forward to contribute to her nation.
https://www.insider.com/photos-queen-elizabeth-mechanic-world-war-ii-2020-4#in-1940-princess-elizabeth-and-margaret-made-a-broadcast-to-the-children-of-the-united-kingdom-2 -
resgmom\" post_id=\"2025973\" time=\"1622613347\" user_id=\"31193:
While mRNA has been in development for some time now but the long term effects after using it on humans, especially teens/12yos whose bodies are still developing, is unknown.
I was sitting on the fence but having done the research, I believe there is a real risk of long covid (just google that), especially now that there are research saying that children and youth has a higher percentage of getting long covid. The damage from long covid is much more established / real than whatever potential damage mRNA vaccine can cause. I have also read that mRNA has been in development for decades, and the expedited emergency approval was unprecedented because of the expedition of mostly paperwork and bureaucracy. And that for any previous vaccines, most side effects would show at most a few months after the vaccine.lee_yl\" post_id=\"2025913\" time=\"1622560753\" user_id=\"17023:
We have received the SMS to register my kid but we are still undecided. I am less worried about the immediate side effects or adverse reactions but more concerned about the long term uncertainties surrounding the new mRNA vaccine, what will it do to the human bodies in the future.
Yes, children may get infected but the symptoms are generally mild and they recover fast. This is true not just in Singapore but also worldwide. So the benefits of vaccinating children are not significant whereas the risks involved are unknown and unquantifiable.
From a mathematical perspective, it is a matter of probability that something dire may just happen. Data from different vaccination programs has shown that for every 100,000 shots received there are a number of severe adverse events. Plus studies have shown that teens may experience heart inflammation, depression etc. after the vaccination.
For parents who choose to vaccinate your children, it was stated in the papers that those “medically eligible” children are encouraged to go for vaccination but what exactly is ”medically eligible”? Are those with childhood asthma deemed eligible? How about those with Type 1 diabetes? Obese kids who may have high blood pressure? Not to mention people with hidden underlying conditions like those who only get to know that they have a hole in their heart when they go for their NS pre-enlistment checkups.
Ultimately, vaccination is a personal choice and at the moment, I am inclined to sit on the fence. I think it is a matter of time before an effective anti-viral medication is available to cure COVID-19, just like how Tamiful is effective against H1N1.
Unless one can be 100% sure that we won't get covid (which is impossible), also considering that our own PM Lee has he himself already used the word endemic, probably means the govt will open up borders and just carry on with the new normal of having community cases. Yikes. Means if we chose not to get vaccinated, we are really on our own where many surrounding us might have been vaccinated, have less symptoms even if they have covid, and will pass the covid to the non-vaccinated among us more easily.
During the MOE Q&A sessions, some folks asked the expert panelists about the long term effects of mRNA on humans, and none of them can give a convincing reply.
Yes, I am fully aware that PM Lee is going to open up the borders soon so he is trying to get as many of us vaccinated ASAP.
My kids have taken all their childhood vaccinations. But this is like so rushed!! If I myself still have doubts, then I will not rush to inject my kids. I may vaccinate them one day, but now, I prefer to adopt a wait and see attitude. -
lee_yl\" post_id=\"2025979\" time=\"1622616191\" user_id=\"17023:
While mRNA has been in development for some time now but the long term effects after using it on humans, especially teens/12yos whose bodies are still developing, is unknown.
I was sitting on the fence but having done the research, I believe there is a real risk of long covid (just google that), especially now that there are research saying that children and youth has a higher percentage of getting long covid. The damage from long covid is much more established / real than whatever potential damage mRNA vaccine can cause. I have also read that mRNA has been in development for decades, and the expedited emergency approval was unprecedented because of the expedition of mostly paperwork and bureaucracy. And that for any previous vaccines, most side effects would show at most a few months after the vaccine.resgmom\" post_id=\"2025973\" time=\"1622613347\" user_id=\"31193:
[quote=lee_yl post_id=2025913 time=1622560753 user_id=17023]We have received the SMS to register my kid but we are still undecided. I am less worried about the immediate side effects or adverse reactions but more concerned about the long term uncertainties surrounding the new mRNA vaccine, what will it do to the human bodies in the future.
Yes, children may get infected but the symptoms are generally mild and they recover fast. This is true not just in Singapore but also worldwide. So the benefits of vaccinating children are not significant whereas the risks involved are unknown and unquantifiable.
From a mathematical perspective, it is a matter of probability that something dire may just happen. Data from different vaccination programs has shown that for every 100,000 shots received there are a number of severe adverse events. Plus studies have shown that teens may experience heart inflammation, depression etc. after the vaccination.
For parents who choose to vaccinate your children, it was stated in the papers that those “medically eligible” children are encouraged to go for vaccination but what exactly is ”medically eligible”? Are those with childhood asthma deemed eligible? How about those with Type 1 diabetes? Obese kids who may have high blood pressure? Not to mention people with hidden underlying conditions like those who only get to know that they have a hole in their heart when they go for their NS pre-enlistment checkups.
Ultimately, vaccination is a personal choice and at the moment, I am inclined to sit on the fence. I think it is a matter of time before an effective anti-viral medication is available to cure COVID-19, just like how Tamiful is effective against H1N1.
Unless one can be 100% sure that we won't get covid (which is impossible), also considering that our own PM Lee has he himself already used the word endemic, probably means the govt will open up borders and just carry on with the new normal of having community cases. Yikes. Means if we chose not to get vaccinated, we are really on our own where many surrounding us might have been vaccinated, have less symptoms even if they have covid, and will pass the covid to the non-vaccinated among us more easily.
During the MOE Q&A sessions, some folks asked the expert panelists about the long term effects of mRNA on humans, and none of them can give a convincing reply.
Yes, I am fully aware that PM Lee is going to open up the borders soon so he is trying to get as many of us vaccinated ASAP.
My kids have taken all their childhood vaccinations. But this is like so rushed!! If I myself still have doubts, then I will not rush to inject my kids. I may vaccinate them one day, but now, I prefer to adopt a wait and see attitude.[/quote]Agreed. They are going to have to put forth a more convincing reason for kids to be vaccinated.
I know many parents who have also dutifully sent their kids for the childhood vaccinations listed in the health booklet. We all know that those particular diseases like polio, MMR etc are highly damaging / detrimental to the child, so we don’t need to be convinced to vaccinate. And those vaccines have a long history of being safe. Maybe the MMRV caused high fever in our tots but we dealt with it.
It’s a completely different case with Covid vaccination.
- even if the kids catch Covid, they just have mild flu-like symptoms
- their immune system is so strong, side effects also expected to be quite strong, not simply fever ok
- long term effects not researched yet
Like this, parent would rather see the child get mild flu, or see the child suffer the possible 3-day side effects (dizzy lah, headache lah, sore arm, lethargy lah) - even after take vaccine, also not foolproof, still can get Covid so what’s the use. -
If you have choice of 2 lottery tickets to buy for your kids,
1. First prize for vaccine ticket is severe allergic reaction/blood clot/stroke/paralysis/death, probability is 1 out of every 10,000.
Second prize for vaccine ticket: unknown long term effect.
2. First prize for natural immunity ticket is flu like sickness/death, probability of death for old people in Singapore is 1 out of 100,000.
Probability of death for young people is much much lower, more like 1 in million.
Which lottery ticket will you buy for them? -
I wonder if there is any data for recovered patients as in can the patients recover almost fully or any issues that may follow …
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MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2025986\" time=\"1622621010\" user_id=\"43981:
[quote]A SERIOUS picture is emerging about the long-term health effects of covid-19 in some children, with UK politicians calling the lack of acknowledgment of the problem a “national scandal”.
Children seem to be fairly well-protected from the most severe symptoms of covid-19. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the majority of children don't develop symptoms when infected with the coronavirus, or their symptoms are very mild.
However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that a large number of children with symptomatic and asymptomatic covid-19 are experiencing long-term effects, many months after the initial infection.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7927578/ 27 February 2021 -
.zeit\" post_id=\"2025978\" time=\"1622615428\" user_id=\"171271:
For me, I see it as a National Service. I want to contribute to the no. of vaccinated residents in my country, so that when we reach 70-80% herd immunity, we can be in the same league (''bubble'') as some of those nations, and can save our Changi Airport and flag carrier.
PM said we must be united and we will be ''among these countries''. If the numbers are not enough because some elderly, sick, young can't contribute to the numbers, the 12-18 teenagers, preggers & breastfeeders should step in to 'contribute' to prop up the percentage, so that our country can reopen quicker before year-end. Currently, the criterion is 70% (full vaccination) to return to the 'new normal'.
It's like Total Defence in a world war where even the country's teenagers must be ready to step forward, next in line, to join the army, the civil defence force, Red Cross, factories that made soldiers' uniforms, kitchens that cook for the soldiers.
Even the teenage Princess Elizabeth stepped forward to contribute to her nation.
https://www.insider.com/photos-queen-elizabeth-mechanic-world-war-ii-2020-4#in-1940-princess-elizabeth-and-margaret-made-a-broadcast-to-the-children-of-the-united-kingdom-2
So what if the vaccination percentage is only 55% versus say 80%. Does it means that decision makers in Singapore will not open it's border just because it's vaccination percentage is 55% versus 80%? Regardless of percentage, it is clear that our government will open our border as this is how our economy operates. Ultimately while we unilaterally open up our border, it will also be subjected to other countries' view of our infection control situation. Even if we have 99% mild covid-19 cases but an average of 30 cases a day, I am sure a lot of risk averse countries will do a double take before agreeing to any travel bubbles. Vaccination percentage is just an opinion of some decision makers and we should not base our decision to vaccinate purely on an opinion of others.
For children, the risk is that they still have a long way ahead in their life and if mRNA vaccine really have any long term side effect, it will likely manifest for them. On the other hand, since children generally have mild covid-19, there is really no benefits for them in terms of reducing the severity of the sickness. Hence from the angle of benefits versus risk for the children, I do not think children needs the vaccination.
Ultimately, it is your children that you will make this decision. So make the decision based on what you think is \"best for your children\".
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