News report: Singapore changes tactics to battle H1N1 influenza
Source: Channel NewsAsia 22 June 2009
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Read also: SPEECH BY MINISTER FOR HEALTH AT PRESS CONFERENCE
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Khaw used the word “IRREGARDLESS”.
I could not understand what he meant and did a wiki.
which advised me that
“irregardless is a double negative”
“By blending these words, an illogical word is created.”
another search gave this meaning:
“IRregardless; a combination of irrespective and regardless sometimes used humorously ”
1 day 1 word. together, we come together as better citizens.
As a health minister, you don’t tell people to keep your fingers crossed and expect the worst. You just need to tell the people how and what steps you have taken to prevent the worst. And if it become worst, how ready is our medical facility is going to cope. To my best understanding from a doctor, they were recently called in to have a briefing to control the anti-viral tablets. Because Singapore only have 3 millions of these tablets.
In the event of national outbreak, you can be sure that only a privilage few can get this anti-viral tablets such as doctor, police, government etc. Therefore if now you want to get some of this tablets from the doctor for just in case when you go overseas. The doctors will tell you bull stories why you cannot have it.
complacency allowed the bug to enter? or is that a result an economic compromise for the sake of the economy? cos, lately there has been lots of compromise for the sake of economy.
the price for that is borne by locals who toe the line, take preventive measures only to have the few culprits spread it on a community level? is there really any effort to keep the bug out, knowing very well how fast it can spread in such a densely populated & tiny country? if it results in death who’s going to take the responsibility?
to push the blame, the spread on selfish individuals who are infected with the bug, how can authorities not see it coming as there will always be selfish people in the midst? who will take the responsibility? in this cut-throat island, again, its the lowly paid who will suffer most. absentism will mean a cut in pay, for most it could mean annual leave is deducted unfairly. the end result is the “buck” will be passed to the 1s at the bottom of the society.
social responsibility? uniquely S’pore? the elites still get paid for doing a “good” job. “we have done our part” taichi the problem to those below (now its up to you), the effective top-down approach.
Take for one simple example. I am working in a MNC and according to our corporate policy, we need to implement strict control to prevent any possibility of outbreak in our company.
During one meeting on H1N1, I strongly suggested self quarantine after coming back from affected countries (biz or personal trip alike). However, my HR argue that if government don’t impose that at the custom. Why are we forcing our employee to do that and get their leave deducted. She goes on by saying, how are we going to explain to those that go for their personal trip on the self quarantine requirement.
This prompt me to one question, why the custom don’t give them a self-quarantine order when entering Singapore? It will make administrative work in company much easier. I think we all know the answer, government just want to throw all responsibility to the people.
hi mice is nice,
The way Enterprise Singapore works is that only the elites take up social responsibility and no one else has the jurisdiction to supervise their responsibilities. If non-elite Singaporeans play a more active role in social responsibility, they say you should not be doing their job because you are not qualified as them.
So how to get around this problem? Usurp all the social responsibilities from them, they are no longer elites. While it takes qualification to be identified as an elite, it takes social responsibilities to actually sustain one’s elite status. Build a new class of elites whose qualification criteria which contradicts the status quo.
3) mice is nice on June 24th, 2009 3.25 pm
complacency allowed the bug to enter? or is that a result an economic compromise for the sake of the economy?
Of course it is economic compromise.
Ban chewing gums but not cigarettes.
OK with IR but not CSE.
little wonder how some earn a living at others expense. well, if a death was partly due to H1N1 (through health complications) due to lax travel requirements i wonder who will take that responsibility.
there is simply no way to stop a community level transmission now, not when the bug has gone pass the 1st line of defense (was there any?) at immigration checkpoints at airports, bridges & ferry terminals.
the current tactic seems similiar to the “market forces”, aka “survival of the fittest”. weeding out process like the economic situation played out (wah, how come so few jump this time?), now let the bug take care of them.
“The government has done what it needs to do…”, now its up to the people. measures are “in place” (where” on paper?), the bug enter, we tried our best, life must go on, those who suffered from death (not yet, but why risk a community level infection then?), we are sorry, but we have no choice… for economy’s sake.
I think we should see this `pandemic’ as an opportunity to educate our people on personal responsibility.
Masks should be distributed at MRT stations free for commuters to put on regardless of their health condition. This way, people who are healthy, like the pregnant lady who wrote to the Straits Times, would feel comfortable wearing the mask for protection. Those who coughing or sneezing will also not be seen as anti-social.
It is a small price for the MRT & Govt. to pay, to avoid rampant spread of he disease.
If it spreads out of control, MRt and the Govt will lose even much more!
Diseases, bugs and plagues are Nature’ Ways to cause renewals as well as to bring mankinds together in co-operations to fight for survival.
Without calamity, mankind will fight amongst themselves.
There is a Divine Dimension to ponder.
patriot
9) patriot on June 26th, 2009 10.54 am
I totally agree. But what if, pandemics is a natural event to eliminate the “weak” genes and ensure the next general with better quality off spring to get ready them for the worst pandemics. Thus, modern medicines had tip off this balance.
I recall that man said something like they try to make the H1N1 spread SLOWER.
How to prove it has spread SLOWER?
I mean scientific prove beyond reasonable doubt.
doesn’t matter about H1N1 moving slower because they can say that lab based proven, reality is a different matter. it depends on what are the differences in population size, density, socio-economic factors, climate, time of the year, so on…
If people hachuuu! in a air con bus, where air circulation is sometimes not as great in terms of air flow or freshness of air, and the close proximity between commuters inside and the handles and buttons where people share to touch and use, could flu be spread via these places?
why is it so many H1N1 cases compared to some larger countries?
how can effectiveness be measured when there is no way to compare 2 singapore?