In case you didn’t know, running the country is of course essential business, so Parliament sitting must still go on.
Today, three ministers who’ve been making decisions that alter our lives took to stage to deliver ministerial statements (i.e. they just talk and no one asks any questions) about the situation to the house, and if you’ve missed it because you only care about bubble tea, then allow us to break down some of the more important stuff you need to know.
Circuit Breaker Measures Effective But We Must Not be Complacent
Okay, this is something we’ve known but it’s good to repeat again lest people like to look at the overall number of cases instead of just the community cases.
The average number of new community cases had fallen from 31 in the week before the circuit breaker to 11 last week. The average number of new unlinked community cases a day had also been reduced from 12 to 5 over the same period.
Despite that, it only shows that the Circuit Breaker measures are working but Singapore is “not out of the woods” yet. We still have more to do before bubble tea shops open.
There Are Still Hidden Cases in the Community
If you’re read our previous article, you’d know that out of 10 local cases yesterday, 2 are unlinked. These unlinked cases, and cases picked up picked up from the authorities’ surveillance programme (i.e. random testing), show that despite the low number of community cases, there are still hidden cases.
And lest you’ve forgotten, it’s these hidden cases that contribute to the extension of Circuit Breaker, if not we’d all be preparing to go out tomorrow le.
Singapore Can Consider Further Opening Up If Numbers are Goody
If the number of community cases stay low and migrant worker cases in dormitories are under control, Singapore might consider further opening up, but this will be done carefully and progressively to prevent a second wave of outbreak.
But wait: why only consider?
Indicators to Open Up
And so, the question would be: what are the things we should be looking for, since the authorities should still need to consider if the numbers are good?
It’s not just numbers. There are two more factors:
- Global situation
- System in place in Singapore to open up safely
So, in other words, we the residents of Singapore are working hard to keep the numbers low by staying at home while the authorities are creating a system to open up safely.
As for global situation…you’d have to go to Twitter daily to see what Trump’s doing lah.
One of the Systems to be Ready: More Testing
One word you’d have heard everywhere would be this: testing.
Yes, it’s not just Singapore that’s going on breakneck speed to improve its testing capacity: the world is doing so, too. When reporters in the US asked questions unrelated to testing, Trump would just boast about the testing they’ve done and didn’t answer the question directly. But why?
The idea is that when with more testing, it’d be easier to control the outbreak and allow the economy to open, unlike now when we all just stay at home as if we’re all infected.
Singapore’s working hard to increase its testing capacity and would test more people soon.
But testing’s just part of the formula.
Technology Will be Used for Faster and Better Contact Tracing
You see, once the “lockdown” is over, the next strategy would be “test, trace, isolate”.
The authorities have ramped up testing and have prepared lots of beds for isolation, so what’s left is tracing. This can be done better with technology, and of course we can’t say the word “technology” without bundling it with the word “TraceTogether”.
The authorities are looking at using this technology more effectively, and in the meantime, have also scaled up the physical contact tracing teams from 20 teams to 50 teams now.
In fact, the authorities are now working with Apple and Google to enhance the app, especially for iOS users because iOS has more restrictions. We of course know because it’s easier to determine what a cat is meowing about than to reach an iOS user who has downloaded our app through a push notification (it’s not turned on automatically).
Also, the authorities are looking at solutions for the elderly and kids who might not have a phone.
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Healthcare Professionals Re-Deployed to Fight COVID-19 instead of… Diabetes?
Any new initiatives to fight current health battles, like the War on Diabetes, would be deferred as staff would be deployed to fight COVID-19 instead.
Though I think they’re also indirectly fighting the other battles, too—I’ve lost 5kg in the last 4 weeks because of the lack of bubble tea.
Decision to Open Dine-in Will be Made Very Carefully
If you’re hoping to have a piping hot bowl of Bak Kut Teh any time soon, please continue to hope.
Opening of F&B outlets for dine-in is a critical decision and the authorities need to assess the risks and consider this very carefully. Simply put, you must now get used to dabao or cook at home.
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Lots and Lots of Money Given Out
In April alone, $7 billion were paid out to employers for the Jobs Support Scheme, which should be used to cover the employees’ salary.
In this month, an additional $4 billion will be paid out.
Also, by the end of this month, $1 billion would have been disbursed to self-employed people.
It’s could well be the most expensive Circuit Breaker in the entire world.
Situation in Dormitories Largely Stable
According to Manpower Minister Josephine Teo, the situation in dormitories are largely stable. Testing and isolation are still being done, which explains the high number of cases daily, but the authorities are now getting ready for the next phase, which is recovery. This involves getting the accommodation right to reduce the risk of transmission and letting workers go back to work safely.
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Also, a system would be developed to monitor the health of the workers.
Now, of course, remember: there are statements made to lawmakers, but it’s good for us to know, too.
The situation is still fluid, but if you’ve read everything, you’d realise we play a part in the entire strategy, too: just continue to wear the same underwear you’ve been wearing in the last four weeks for four more weeks, and we might finally be able to see human beings on the street again le.
Things might change so get the latest updates by bookmarking MOH’s website here and registering for the Gov.sg’s WhatsApp service here.
Or if you’re young, you can join Gov.sg’s Telegram channel and do remember to join the Goody Feed Telegram channel, too.
Also, do subscribe to our YouTube channel whereby we’d update you daily on what’s happening in Singapore – including, of course, about the nasty bug that’s been disrupting all our lives:
