Covid Situation in SG discussion (compiled)

[sgmaven]

Imperial College Scientists Say That Modelling Suggests That Omicron Is No Milder Than Delta

 

Original source from Imperial College website.

Edited December 18, 2021 by sgmaven

[singalion]

On 12/17/2021 at 11:22 PM, Guest Skoda said:

Assuming you are correct that VTL travellers didn’t spread omicron, does it mean omicron also originated from Singapore besides South Africa?

 

If you ask Indian PM Mody probably yes. 

 

Ex President Trump will say it's a shithole variant, but it will be over in summer when the heat comes.

 

Boris Johnson will warn his people and be celebrating a big party. 

 

As you don't believe in science and facts but follow conspiracy theories and misrepresenting alternative facts, every other suggestion is futile. 

 

 

[lonelyglobe]

On 12/18/2021 at 7:50 AM, jlone said:

https://www.msn.com/en-sg/news/world/omicron-more-likely-to-reinfect-than-delta-no-milder-study/ar-AARV95M?ocid=msedgntp

 

On 12/18/2021 at 9:21 AM, sgmaven said:

Imperial College Scientists Say That Modelling Suggests That Omicron Is No Milder Than Delta

 

Original source from Imperial College website.

Better to tell people that it have serious consequences, otherwise they will treat it as common flu and take it lightly.

[Guest Wtf]

On 12/17/2021 at 1:50 PM, singalion said:

 

Some foreigners here haven't seen their parents, kids, grandparents, wife etc for 2 years...

 

Why did they start the VTL in the first place?

for these reasons.

 

One of our staff is from Malaysia and both parents in quite bad shape due to age. Motivation at work is low if the staff always thinks that parents will die before she can meet them. Father was at hospital just some months ago. It is stress on her.

 

We have another staff who has been paying a room in Singapore for near to 1 year, went back to Malaysia just before March 2020 and never had a chance to come back to Singapore. She is also still in Malaysia.

Others in such situation might have been sacked from the company.

But we still employ her and doing WFH with her. Not every company would do that. It is also extra work for us to scan every detail, send over etc etc.

 

One MD in our office building has been stuck in Thailand for the past 19 months and cannot return to Singapore. Just with VTL he has chance to return. Do you think all these scenario so easy for these families?

Just think this MD Employment pass expired during his absence and what then with his wife and children stuck here?

I have already met stupid local landlords who thought people on Social Visit Pass are illegal to stay in a condo flat and went to the police...

Don't think all this is easy as it looks.

 

These are just some examples I m sure there are more and even worse ones.

 

Don't think so simple.

 

 

Oh! And of course, foreigners ALWAYS come first in Singapore. Surprise ...surprise.... surprise. 

[Guest Fauci]

On 12/18/2021 at 10:16 AM, singalion said:

 

If you ask Indian PM Mody probably yes. 

 

Ex President Trump will say it's a shithole variant, but it will be over in summer when the heat comes.

 

Boris Johnson will warn his people and be celebrating a big party. 

 

As you don't believe in science and facts but follow conspiracy theories and misrepresenting alternative facts, every other suggestion is futile. 

 

 

 

And Fauci also says herd immunity is possible by fall, ‘normality’ by end of 2021. And have the Americans achieved herd immunity and normality right now? I guess just like Donald Trump, Fauci also don't believe in science and facts but follow conspiracy theories and misrepresenting alternative facts. 

 

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/12/anthony-fauci-offers-a-timeline-for-ending-covid-19-pandemic/

 

[singalion]

On 12/18/2021 at 2:14 PM, Guest Wtf said:

 

Oh! And of course, foreigners ALWAYS come first in Singapore. Surprise ...surprise.... surprise. 

 

I assume above was a "hijacked" Guest post as someone impersonated the originals WTF guest nick... (I know who does that...)

 

Sure, when I look at those Singaporeans on the plane, returning with fancy outfit and equipment, such as 30k cycling designer bicycles, golf equipment, surf boards and other things during my VTL return flight some weeks back, then the VTL were really just for the foreigners. The overall mix was 70% to 30 for locals to foreigners.

I even messaged to my parents in my departure airport from Europe:
"Oh, I just spotted the first Fairprice plastic bag..."

 

The European chambers in Singapore made some efforts to permit the "stuck" Europeans back home or into Singapore...

Yes, but VTL is surely not just for foreigners. I assume plenty of locals are using the VTLs also.

 

I just pointed out that we have to look at VTLs and what is the background.

Are you saying, life is easy for  Malaysian lady working here for 2 years while everyday something critical can happen with her father? No compassion, empathy?

 

Let us be fair...

Edited December 18, 2021 by singalion

[singalion]

On 12/18/2021 at 2:25 PM, Guest Fauci said:

 

And Fauci also says herd immunity is possible by fall, ‘normality’ by end of 2021. And have the Americans achieved herd immunity and normality right now? I guess just like Donald Trump, Fauci also don't believe in science and facts but follow conspiracy theories and misrepresenting alternative facts. 

 

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/12/anthony-fauci-offers-a-timeline-for-ending-covid-19-pandemic/

 

 

But that you could have already derived from his name! Because Fauci translates into "wrong".

 

It can be all very simple.

 

Oh, but I still got a question to you:

What are the Greek letters after Omicron???

 

[Guest Wtf]

On 12/18/2021 at 2:14 PM, Guest Wtf said:

 

Oh! And of course, foreigners ALWAYS come first in Singapore. Surprise ...surprise.... surprise. 

good one on using my nickname 😂

 

the blood red, all caps, bold writing just screams ‘I am completely sane’ 

 

Keep it up, all types of neuro divergence are welcome here. 

[sgmaven]

I am actually amazed that so many Singaporean are in such a rush to go on vacation overseas, while the pandemic is still raging. While VTLs exists, do they even consider:

 

1. What if they get COVID while abroad, and need to be hospitalised? Not all medical staff can/will speak English or understand Singlish (or our Singaporean accent).

 

2. If they test +ve just before their flight back, and are not allowed to fly?

3. What if like what happened with Omicron and South Africa, and you are trapped in a country after flights from that country are banned from landing?

 

Perhaps they just keep their fingers crossed and hope for the best?

[Guest Guest]

On 11/28/2021 at 3:40 PM, Guest Guest said:

 

Talk so much. Long story short: 

They cannot name it the "nu" virus because the "new" virus will inevitably become old. 

And they cannot name it the "Xi" virus because it has already been in existence since 15 June 1953, and it's toxicity has become much more apparent from 14 March 2013 onwards, to the extent that it is has long been classified to be a worldwide virus of concern with no end in sight. 

 

Can tell how lowly the world think of Sg, no matter how much Sg tries to suck up to the rest of the world. Skipping the "Xi" virus is still fine; not inviting Sg to the Democracy Summit is bad enough.

 

But naming the latest most infectious virus to be the Ong Ye Kung virus? Wah...

 

 

 

[singalion]

 

Oh, really, the virus name is now no longer Omicron but Omgyikung?

Edited December 18, 2021 by singalion

[singalion]

On 12/18/2021 at 5:53 PM, sgmaven said:

I am actually amazed that so many Singaporean are in such a rush to go on vacation overseas, while the pandemic is still raging. While VTLs exists, do they even consider:

 

1. What if they get COVID while abroad, and need to be hospitalised? Not all medical staff can/will speak English or understand Singlish (or our Singaporean accent).

 

2. If they test +ve just before their flight back, and are not allowed to fly?

3. What if like what happened with Omicron and South Africa, and you are trapped in a country after flights from that country are banned from landing?

 

Perhaps they just keep their fingers crossed and hope for the best?

 

Easy, I assume they will call the police and think that the police will entertain them such as the police does for everything in Singapore...

 

Second they will complain to no end with their embassy and demand that the embassy takes care of them...

 

Whether on the ventilator in the hospital you can still talk would be a good question also. Maybe, only when the big bill comes later, after they hopefully recovered, they will ask: "I shiok, So much why? "

 

 

 

Edited December 18, 2021 by singalion

[sgmaven]

On 12/18/2021 at 8:43 PM, singalion said:

 

Easy, I assume they will call the police and think that the police will entertain them such as the police does for everything in Singapore...

 

Second they will complain to no end with their embassy and demand that the embassy takes care of them...

 

Whether on the ventilator in the hospital you can still talk would be a good question also. Maybe, only when the big bill comes later, after they hopefully recovered, they will ask: "I shiok, So much why? "

In that case, I really pity the Honorary Consuls around. For example, in a country as big as Germany, there is only an Embassy in Berlin. Diplomatic presence in the other big cities like Frankfurt, Hamburg or Munich is via these people, who aren't even Singaporean...

[lonelyglobe]

On 12/18/2021 at 5:53 PM, sgmaven said:

I am actually amazed that so many Singaporean are in such a rush to go on vacation overseas, while the pandemic is still raging. 

1.) too much money dont know where to spent

2.) too much free time dont know what to do

3.) too stress in this pressure cooker

4.) need to clear annual leave and dont want to stay in SG

5.) need to post some new picture on social media

6.) need to import foreign stuff and sell online

7.) missed korean fried chicken, Italy pizza, germany hotdog, UK fish and chips

8.) need to support SIA and travel agent

9.) govt say is ok to travel so really must be ok

10,) have not taken inflight meal for almost 2 years

 

and lots more u can think of..... 

Edited December 18, 2021 by lonelyglobe

[jlone]

On 12/18/2021 at 10:38 PM, lonelyglobe said:

1.) too much money dont know where to spent

2.) too much free time dont know what to do

3.) too stress in this pressure cooker

4.) need to clear annual leave and dont want to stay in SG

5.) need to post some new picture on social media

6.) need to import foreign stuff and sell online

7.) missed korean fried chicken, Italy pizza, germany hotdog, UK fish and chips

8.) need to support SIA and travel agent

9.) govt say is ok to travel so really must be ok

10,) have not taken inflight meal for almost 2 years

 

and lots more u can think of..... 

And most of all, to travel oversea is a great pleasure for most of them !

[singalion]

On 12/18/2021 at 10:38 PM, lonelyglobe said:

5.) need to post some new picture on social media

 

Oh, yeah that lady next to me in the business class showed me the picture from her holidays in Bavaria. All these instagram pics... I m not sure whether she had any time to take a look at the buildings and scenery.

 

In the Straits Times was that lady that must have brought her whole wardrobe to Germany...

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUMuuj3o6iC/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

 

https://m.facebook.com/novitalammm/posts/1896755507172155

 

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/over-1000-people-have-travelled-under-spore-germany-vaccinated-travel-lane-scheme

 

[singalion]

On 12/18/2021 at 10:38 PM, lonelyglobe said:

1.) too much money dont know where to spent

2.) too much free time dont know what to do

3.) too stress in this pressure cooker

4.) need to clear annual leave and dont want to stay in SG

5.) need to post some new picture on social media

6.) need to import foreign stuff and sell online

7.) missed korean fried chicken, Italy pizza, germany hotdog, UK fish and chips

8.) need to support SIA and travel agent

9.) govt say is ok to travel so really must be ok

10,) have not taken inflight meal for almost 2 years

 

and lots more u can think of..... 

 

I assume you left out an important point:

 

11.) Missing all the hot boys around the world

 

😂

 

[Guest Guest]

https://mothership.sg/2021/12/record-67-imported-cases-singapore/

 

wonder from which countries is these record number of cases coming from?

[Healing Therapy]

As of 20 Dec 2021, 12:00pm

New Cases*

195

141

Community

5

Dormitory

49

Imported

396

Discharged

2

Died

0.56

Weekly Infection Growth Rate 

*Amongst the new cases today are 45 Omicron cases, comprising 3 local and 42 imported.

[lonelyglobe]

On 12/17/2021 at 12:51 AM, lonelyglobe said:

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20211217-1223833

 

Jump to 24 liao, 21 + 3. 

Omicron cases todate:

 

65 imported

6 local

Edited December 20, 2021 by lonelyglobe

[lonelyglobe]

On 12/20/2021 at 7:05 PM, Guest Guest said:

https://mothership.sg/2021/12/record-67-imported-cases-singapore/

 

wonder from which countries is these record number of cases coming from?

They wont release which countries,  it could also be sporean coming back from their vacation. 

[lonelyglobe]

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/new-cluster-with-omicron-variant-found-at-anytime-fitness-in-bukit-timah-shopping-centre-moh

 

That is a foreseeable problem  when people dont wear mask in gym and hope they have not go to anywhere else for their gym session. 

Edited December 20, 2021 by lonelyglobe

[Steve5380]

I am surprised to find that the US CDC rates Singapore among the most risky countries to visit.  From reading this thread I was under the impression that SG has a low risk of covid infection.

 

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/cdc-very-high-risk-travel-destinations-december-20/index.html

 

(CNN) — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added eight destinations to its highest-risk category for travel on Monday, including the world's No. 2 most-visited nation before the pandemic started.

In its weekly update of Covid-19 travel advisories, the CDC advised against travel to tourist favorite Spain at this time. In 2019, Spain received more international visitors than nearly every other nation in the world, except France, according to figures from the UN's World Tourism Organization.

The CDC also added seven more places -- spanning the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East as well as Europe -- to its "Level 4: Covid-19 Very High" category. 

 

The CDC places a destination at Level 4 when more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents are registered in the past 28 days.

 

Other nations on Level 4

Spain is hardly alone. Much of Europe is currently ranked at the highest travel risk. Other big travel names already at the CDC's Level 4 include:

• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Italy
• United Kingdom

And Europe isn't the only continent with popular tourist destinations on Level 4. Among the other places also considered at "very high" risk for travel are:

• Belize
• Jordan
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Turkey

In all, almost 90 countries were rated Level 4 as of December 20.

[Guest guest]

On 12/21/2021 at 12:58 AM, lonelyglobe said:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/new-cluster-with-omicron-variant-found-at-anytime-fitness-in-bukit-timah-shopping-centre-moh

 

That is a foreseeable problem  when people dont wear mask in gym and hope they have not go to anywhere else for their gym session. 

Not wearing mask and also many touch point in the gym that a person easily might get infected with the virus. The cases from the gym is just the tip of the iceberg, many more omicron cases will come in the next few months.

[sgmaven]

On 12/21/2021 at 12:51 PM, Steve5380 said:

I am surprised to find that the US CDC rates Singapore among the most risky countries to visit.  From reading this thread I was under the impression that SG has a low risk of covid infection.

Not any more... With members of the public flouting safe-distancing, left, right and centre; the arrival of Omicron on our shores; and the government's want to open up the economy; even I think it is a big gamble. Hence I agree with the CDC's assessment.

[Guest guest]

but usa itself also no better wat. jus hope bukit timah gym cluster don grow man.

[sgmaven]

Yup, US is no better, true. But has that ever stopped the US from calling other countries high risk?

[sgmaven]

On 12/21/2021 at 10:56 PM, Guest guest said:

jus hope bukit timah gym cluster don grow man.

Omicron Spread Across Quarantine Hotel Corridor

 

If this can happen, without the people involved meeting, what do you think?

[lonelyglobe]

On 12/21/2021 at 11:19 PM, sgmaven said:

Omicron Spread Across Quarantine Hotel Corridor

 

If this can happen, without the people involved meeting, what do you think?

Then HDB gone case liao,  heard there are cases where upstair stand at the window cough,  downstair kena, at first tot that is a joke but it may be true.

 

On 12/21/2021 at 10:45 PM, sgmaven said:

Not any more... With members of the public flouting safe-distancing, left, right and centre; the arrival of Omicron on our shores; and the government's want to open up the economy; even I think it is a big gamble. Hence I agree with the CDC's assessment.

Definitely, Italy have already banned SG, it is a matter of time for others to follow.  Countries like Israel, Japan,  South Korea, Thailand not to mention China, HK and Taiwan all have very strict border control with quarantine of 7 to 21 days.

 

Even European countries themselves are tightening their border control but here, VTL countries just PCR test negative can come in quarantine free, so easy and these countries are all with high delta / omicron infections. 

 

If one day we can have 49 imported cases with 42 omicron cases, really dont know what they are waiting for? 

Edited December 21, 2021 by lonelyglobe

[Steve5380]

On 12/21/2021 at 9:00 AM, sgmaven said:

Yup, US is no better, true. But has that ever stopped the US from calling other countries high risk?

 

Yup, US is no better.  But the purpose of the CDC is to be objective.  And its classification helps Americans like me who are very safe in the US,  staying cozy at home, away from most humans.   And who want to be also safe if they travel.

 

If I now travel to SG, I will be exposed to many people in SG,  at the airport, in the hotel,  at some tourist traps if they are open, and surely...  at all the gay saunas there.   

[sgmaven]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:18 AM, lonelyglobe said:

If one day we can have 49 imported cases with 42 omicron cases, really dont know what they are waiting for? 

They are hoping that we will somehow escape the worst of it. They have crossed their fingers, thumbs and toes...

[sgmaven]

On 12/22/2021 at 1:32 AM, Steve5380 said:

Yup, US is no better.  But the purpose of the CDC is to be objective.  And its classification helps Americans like me who are very safe in the US,  staying cozy at home, away from most humans.   And who want to be also safe if they travel.

 

If I now travel to SG, I will be exposed to many people in SG,  at the airport, in the hotel,  at some tourist traps if they are open, and surely...  at all the gay saunas there.   

Well, the advice is for all Americans in general. Those in the bigger cities are probably already facing the risk of Omicron anyway. I guess those who stay in more rural locations are less likely to be exposed to others. Yet, those rural communities also tend to be "Red" areas, with many anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers, so who knows what the real risk is?

[Guest Guest]

On 12/22/2021 at 6:12 AM, sgmaven said:

They are hoping that we will somehow escape the worst of it. They have crossed their fingers, thumbs and toes...

No way we will escape from this omicron. But from what i see, this is the usual practice from govt, waiting for cases to become too high and health sector cannot cope, then they will start to do something about it. We have already seen it during the delta virus back then. Right now, we would just continue to open up big big and go out pa pa zao as per normal, no need to worry.

[Guest Guest Guest]

Only solution to prevent omicron was 21 days mandatory quarantine for travellers and another circuit breaker for around 1 month, but it's too late now.

[Guest Wtf]

On 12/22/2021 at 10:31 AM, Guest Guest Guest said:

Only solution to prevent omicron was 21 days mandatory quarantine for travellers and another circuit breaker for around 1 month, but it's too late now.

🤡 what would you have done after your one month circuit breaker? 😂 
 

[lonelyglobe]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:18 AM, lonelyglobe said:

If one day we can have 49 imported cases with 42 omicron cases, really dont know what they are waiting for? 

Ah... finally the wait is over but would it be too late as usual?

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/airlines-to-suspend-sales-of-vtl-air-tickets-travellers-who-have-bought-tickets-not-affected

[begleitung]

Singapore freezes new ticket sales for VTL flights and buses from Dec 23 to Jan 20 amid Omicron concerns

Edited December 22, 2021 by begleitung

[Guest guest]

Only freeze until Jan 20? So still can go holiday during CNY?

[Guest Evolving]

The situation is still evolving

[Guest guest]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:05 PM, Guest Evolving said:

The situation is still evolving

Surely the situation is still evolving, this is just the tip of the iceberg now. You see other countries Omicron situation quite bad. 2022 will be a repeat of 2021 yet again.

[Guest Guest]

Heightened Alert 3? WFH? 😱😷

[Guest guest]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:28 PM, Guest Guest said:

Heightened Alert 3? WFH? 😱😷

No more Heightened Alert. Most likely they will just announce go back to 2 pax and WFH as default again. That's it. Every other things would be as per normal. Govt believes vaccine is working, so high chance they would not tighten too much, high chance they would push for high booster shot rate.

[Guest liddat also can meh?]

WHO said Omicron is not as mild as one would believe.  Asked countries to be vigilant.  As usual, the PAPPAYA is waiting for instruction instead of proactive.

[Guest guest]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:42 PM, Guest liddat also can meh? said:

WHO said Omicron is not as mild as one would believe.  Asked countries to be vigilant.  As usual, the PAPPAYA is waiting for instruction instead of proactive.

Thought some say Omicron is mild? Now WHO said not mild? But SG community measures still not tighten yet? Except they just tighten the VTL.

[Guest Guest]

People who like to WFH ... now seems still got "some chance" come Jan 1, 2022 ... frankly, this one must thank Omicron "big brother" ... 😅

[begleitung]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:47 PM, Guest guest said:

Thought some say Omicron is mild? Now WHO said not mild? But SG community measures still not tighten yet? Except they just tighten the VTL.

I think they said it is more transmissible too. An expert on tv said, 1% of 1 million infected people is still a big number. The health system would collapse etc. 

 

 

[Guest guest]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:59 PM, begleitung said:

I think they said it is more transmissible too. An expert on tv said, 1% of 1 million infected people is still a big number. The health system would collapse etc. 

 

 

I think not many countries listen to what WHO said lah. I remember WHO said no need so fast take booster but many countries also go ahead of taking booster and even more booster.

[Guest guest]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:51 PM, Guest Guest said:

People who like to WFH ... now seems still got "some chance" come Jan 1, 2022 ... frankly, this one must thank Omicron "big brother" ... 😅

Must see how this omicron will evolve in next 1-2 months in SG. Even though now they said WFH no longer default, but they only allow 50% of people to go back office, so even no omicron, company also cannot ask their staff to go back office everyday. Still need to WFH for some days in a week.

[begleitung]

Israel is giving their seniors and health staff the fourth dose. 

[lonelyglobe]

On 12/22/2021 at 2:48 PM, begleitung said:

Israel is giving their seniors and health staff the fourth dose. 

Israel is always the trend setter ha... They are the first to start vaccination, first to get booster jab, first to jab the children and first to get the 4th jab,  SG see nothing wrong then follow.

Edited December 22, 2021 by lonelyglobe