Health

The Many Contradictions of Covid-19

It’s been almost two years since the world encountered Covid-19, and we have come a long way. In Singapore, we are now one of the most vaccinated population in the world as we attempt to find our way out of this Covid-19 nightmare and reclaim some of the normalcy that we left behind. But for now, in our many conversations with friends and family, we are still confronted with diverse contradictions and opinions. Here are some of them …

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Health

Seniors, the Delta variant is very dangerous – YOU NEED TO GET VACCINATED NOW.

One out of every four seniors over 70 years-old still have not received their first dose of the Covid vaccine. This group is the most at risk group and the one with the lowest rate of first-dose vaccination in Singapore. With the Delta variant moving in the community, this is a formula for disaster. Data shows that those that are vaccinated even when they contract Covid, have either mild or no symptoms. Stop being a hold out and make the right decision – GET VACCINATED NOW.

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Health, Politics

Secret to Singapore’s Covid Success: Trust in Government

If you compare death and hospitalisation rates in Singapore to that of the rest of the world, one can argue that Singapore ranks at the top of the world in managing the pandemic. At no time were our hospitals and ICU overwhelmed. The secret to Singapore’s success is the trust between the government and the people by creating a partnership of give-and-take. Here is how it happened.

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Finance

Retirees Unhappy With Declining FD Rates during Covid. What to do?

One thing that Covid has impacted severely is the global economy and interest rates. In Singapore, our fixed deposit rates are closely linked to the interest rates in the United States. We can expect the interest rates to hover just slightly above zero percent for the short and medium term. For seniors depending on fixed deposit interest to make ends meet, this is bad news. Without taking in more risk, what should seniors do?

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Politics

The Election is Over and Our Kids Have Grown Up!

As senior citizens, our world view is colored by the many ups and downs in our generation. Our lives center on providing for our family and the future of our kids. We hold dear to the principles of having a good job, a roof over our heads and an education for our children so that they can have a good start in life. Our bread and butter ideas have shaped our expectations from our government and society. One can argue that for the past 50+ years, Singapore has done well by these measures. But then, our kids are growing up in a different society and their life experiences demand more. I think we should listen.

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Health

ALERT: Study Shows That Fatality Rate of COVID-19 is BAD NEWS For Seniors

SINGAPORE – March 6, 2020

We are several months into the epidemic and are now able to get fairly reliable data on COVID-19 based on China’s reporting. A team of international experts from WHO were dispatched to study the disease and what they learnt is bad news for seniors. COVID-19 seems to be much worse for the elderly and their risks increases significantly above 60 years old. See the WHO “Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission
on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), 16-24 February 2020″.

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Health, Politics

COVID-19 Virus: Decisive Government Actions Made the Difference in Singapore

Feb 25, 2020: OPINION

Just slightly more than a week ago, Singapore was in the unenviable position of having reported the largest number of COVID-19 cases outside of China. Just yesterday, we had our first day with zero reported case. While it is not a ranking contest, Singapore’s total infection has stabilized and our country in no longer at the top of the list. Maybe it is too premature to claim any sort of victory, but with almost a month into this nightmare, I feel it is a good time to recognise and thank our government for their decisive action to stem the spread of this virus in our community.

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Health

Covid-19 Virus – Time to Make This Personal

This is very serious and you should take this personally. The Wuhan virus is now a global emergency as declared by WHO and in Singapore, we are now at the second highest alert level. Yesterday evening, Singaporeans are now worried enough that supermarkets saw significantly elevated buying of essential food supplies and in several major NTUC outlets, even leaving the shelves bare. Forget about the hype and fake news, here is why you need to start taking this personally – if you have not yet!

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Health

Elderly are more vulnerable to Covid-19 Virus

Latest Update Jan 31 2020 6:25PM SGT

As reported in Strait Times website: “All travellers arriving from mainland China who had been there in the past 14 days, as well as anyone with a China passport, will be barred from entry or transit in Singapore, as the nation ramps up measures to keep the Wuhan virus at bay. The new measures will kick in at 11.59pm on Saturday (Feb 1).”

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Elderly should be aware that most of the deaths in China are “elderly and unwell”, as reported by Business Insider Singapore, noting however a recent victim was 36-years old. Given the reporting, it is important that seniors, especially those that have other ailments and chronic diseases, are aware that they are at risk and more susceptible. Here is what we know so far as of January 31 2020.

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Politics

Lessons in Democracy from the US Impeachment — for Singaporeans

Commentary

The world is watching anxiously as the US begins the trial of President Trump in the Senate following his impeachment by the House of Representatives. While the US Constitution provides for the impeachment and removal of a sitting president for “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors”, it is nonetheless an extremely serious and solemn process that can inflict deep divides in the country. In understanding what is happening in the United States, there are 4 things that Singaporeans should learn.

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