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Serious Many Pappys don't like OngYK..not Team player.
- Thread starter SalahParking
- Start date
OYK has been watching the NUH issue with deep concern. 
I have just returned from my work trip to Malaysia. While there, I have been watching the NUH issue with deep concern.
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of baby Titus. As a parent myself, I can fully understand the anguish of the family.
I have discussed the matter with DMS Assoc Prof Kenneth Mak. We know that NUH has been in contact with the family and extending full support to them. MOH will work with NUH on a thorough investigation of the matter. We take a serious view of such incidents, and any lapses or shortcomings will be rectified. Any lessons will be shared with the rest of the healthcare system to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
However, whatever the outcome of the investigations, it is very important that we continue to support our healthcare workers.
Unfortunately, there have been more reports of abuse of healthcare workers recently. I seek everyone’s understanding that in this pandemic crisis, healthcare workers have been going through a very challenging and difficult time. On top of taking care of COVID-19 patients and subjecting themselves to risk, they have been doing their very best to ensure all emergency cases are properly attended to. Let’s continue to show them support and understanding, even as NUH fully investigates the matter.
刚刚结束马来西亚的工作访问，回到新加坡。在那里的时候，我一直都在深切地关注有关国大医院的新闻。
听到这对夫妻失去了腹中胎儿，我感到非常痛心，毕竟自己也是一名父亲，能够完全理解这家人的悲痛。
我和卫生部医药服务总监麦锡威副教授讨论了这件事。我们知道国大医院一直都和家属保持联系，也全力扶持这家人。卫生部会和国大医院彻查这起事件。我们严正看待这类事件，任何疏失或缺陷，都必须去纠正；也会和我们医疗体系的其他同事分享汲取的教训，以确保以后不再发生类似事件。
不过，无论调查结果如何，非常重要的是，我们要继续支持我们的医护人员。
很遗憾的，最近出现了更多起医护人员被虐待的事件。在面对疫情的这段期间，我恳求大家能够谅解，医护人员多个月来面对着极具挑战、非常艰辛的日子。除了冒着风险照顾好冠病病人，他们也恪守职责、鞠躬尽瘁地确保所有紧急事故都能处理得当。希望大家继续支持和体谅他们。
Ong Ye Kung
2 hrs ·I have just returned from my work trip to Malaysia. While there, I have been watching the NUH issue with deep concern.
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of baby Titus. As a parent myself, I can fully understand the anguish of the family.
I have discussed the matter with DMS Assoc Prof Kenneth Mak. We know that NUH has been in contact with the family and extending full support to them. MOH will work with NUH on a thorough investigation of the matter. We take a serious view of such incidents, and any lapses or shortcomings will be rectified. Any lessons will be shared with the rest of the healthcare system to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
However, whatever the outcome of the investigations, it is very important that we continue to support our healthcare workers.
Unfortunately, there have been more reports of abuse of healthcare workers recently. I seek everyone’s understanding that in this pandemic crisis, healthcare workers have been going through a very challenging and difficult time. On top of taking care of COVID-19 patients and subjecting themselves to risk, they have been doing their very best to ensure all emergency cases are properly attended to. Let’s continue to show them support and understanding, even as NUH fully investigates the matter.
刚刚结束马来西亚的工作访问，回到新加坡。在那里的时候，我一直都在深切地关注有关国大医院的新闻。
听到这对夫妻失去了腹中胎儿，我感到非常痛心，毕竟自己也是一名父亲，能够完全理解这家人的悲痛。
我和卫生部医药服务总监麦锡威副教授讨论了这件事。我们知道国大医院一直都和家属保持联系，也全力扶持这家人。卫生部会和国大医院彻查这起事件。我们严正看待这类事件，任何疏失或缺陷，都必须去纠正；也会和我们医疗体系的其他同事分享汲取的教训，以确保以后不再发生类似事件。
不过，无论调查结果如何，非常重要的是，我们要继续支持我们的医护人员。
很遗憾的，最近出现了更多起医护人员被虐待的事件。在面对疫情的这段期间，我恳求大家能够谅解，医护人员多个月来面对着极具挑战、非常艰辛的日子。除了冒着风险照顾好冠病病人，他们也恪守职责、鞠躬尽瘁地确保所有紧急事故都能处理得当。希望大家继续支持和体谅他们。
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - Elderly people aged 80 and above, as well as those who have a weakened immune system or have severe chronic disease, will be eligible to receive a second booster dose for better protection against Covid-19.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday (March 24) at a press conference by the multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19 that given the emerging international data on the waning of vaccine protection against severe disease over time, it is recommended that these groups of people get a second dose.
Dialling in virtually from the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur with Singapore’s director of medical services Kenneth Mak, he added that the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination also noted that a second booster dose can ensure that these groups of people are highly protected even as Singapore resumes its normal activities.
They will receive the second dose around five months after getting their first one.
People who are eligible include those aged 80 and above, those living in aged care facilities such as nursing homes, and those at risk of severe disease as they have weakened immune systems or have severe chronic disease, said Mr Ong.
He added that individuals who do not take their fourth dose will still have their "fully vaccinated" status maintained, though it is "strongly recommended" for them to do so.
Associate Professor Mak said that immunocompromised individuals have already been previously urged to get a third dose of the vaccine as part of their primary series and to undergo a fourth dose as a booster because of their weakened immune system.
There is no recommendation for this group of people to receive a second booster dose or a fifth dose of the vaccine.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said more details on how at-risk groups can receive their second booster dose will be announced later.
"Given the characteristics of the dominant variant in Singapore, there are no plans to extend the booster to the rest of the population yet," said Mr Ong.
However, he noted that the pandemic situation remains an evolving one, and MOH will be watching this closely with the expert committee.
Prof Mak added that younger people have better immune responses following vaccination, and that their protection against severe illness has been sustained over time after the third dose of an mRNA vaccine.
People 80 and above, those with chronic disease eligible for second booster dose: Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE - Elderly people aged 80 and above, as well as those who have a weakened immune system or have severe chronic disease, will be eligible to receive a second booster dose for better protection against Covid-19.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday (March 24) at a press conference by the multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19 that given the emerging international data on the waning of vaccine protection against severe disease over time, it is recommended that these groups of people get a second dose.
Dialling in virtually from the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur with Singapore’s director of medical services Kenneth Mak, he added that the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination also noted that a second booster dose can ensure that these groups of people are highly protected even as Singapore resumes its normal activities.
They will receive the second dose around five months after getting their first one.
People who are eligible include those aged 80 and above, those living in aged care facilities such as nursing homes, and those at risk of severe disease as they have weakened immune systems or have severe chronic disease, said Mr Ong.
He added that individuals who do not take their fourth dose will still have their "fully vaccinated" status maintained, though it is "strongly recommended" for them to do so.
Associate Professor Mak said that immunocompromised individuals have already been previously urged to get a third dose of the vaccine as part of their primary series and to undergo a fourth dose as a booster because of their weakened immune system.
There is no recommendation for this group of people to receive a second booster dose or a fifth dose of the vaccine.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said more details on how at-risk groups can receive their second booster dose will be announced later.
"Given the characteristics of the dominant variant in Singapore, there are no plans to extend the booster to the rest of the population yet," said Mr Ong.
However, he noted that the pandemic situation remains an evolving one, and MOH will be watching this closely with the expert committee.
Prof Mak added that younger people have better immune responses following vaccination, and that their protection against severe illness has been sustained over time after the third dose of an mRNA vaccine.
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - Retail, lifestyle, and food and beverage (F&B) outlets located within shopping malls will no longer need to conduct their own checks on the vaccination status of shoppers and diners, if this is already being done at the entrance of the malls.
The change is part of a move towards normalcy as Singapore prepares to live with Covid-19 and is expected to ease the load on these establishments, which have had to set up equipment and devote manpower to the task during the pandemic.
These vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) were eased since Covid-19 safe management measures were streamlined on March 15.
But the shops will still need to conduct checks if they operate outside mall hours, or have their own direct entrances that bypass the mall entrance.
They will also have to do so for events - regardless of the size of the event and whether food is served - unless they are located on premises that already require checks on the vaccination status of those entering.
They can, however, allow unvaccinated children aged 12 and below to enter their premises or participate in these events, even if these children are from a different household from the adults in the group.
The changes in VDS were announced by several government agencies including Enterprise Singapore, the Housing Board, the Singapore Food Agency, the Singapore Tourism Board and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Starting from Tuesday (March 29), F&B establishments will be allowed to take in larger groups of up to 10 diners, if they perform checks on the vaccination status of diners at their entrances.
This applies to hawker centres and coffee shops as well, and comes as the group size for social gatherings is increased from five to 10 people.
F&B outlets that choose to dispense with vaccination-status checks and access controls at their entrances will be limited to taking in smaller groups of up to five fully vaccinated diners, said the Ministry of Health in a statement on Thursday (March 24).
These operators, though, will need to perform random spot checks to sieve out diners who are not fully vaccinated. But the onus will be on the diners to abide by the rules, said the ministry.
It added: "This will make it easier for the F&B operators who face difficulties in cordoning off their venues and setting up discrete access control points, especially hawker centres and coffee shops."
Responding to a question from The Straits Times about whether the SafeEntry system will still be used, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday that the national digital check-in system is still the easiest way to check a person's vaccination status.
He added at the media conference held by the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19: "We are evolving a different way of enforcement, such that for establishments that do not want to set up the entry control, they can step it down and based on random checks among the patrons, check that they are vaccinated.
"That...will help many establishments to step down and reduce the burden of enforcement and administration."
Entrance checks on Covid-19 vaccination status to remain at malls, but not outlets within
SINGAPORE - Retail, lifestyle, and food and beverage (F&B) outlets located within shopping malls will no longer need to conduct their own checks on the vaccination status of shoppers and diners, if this is already being done at the entrance of the malls.
The change is part of a move towards normalcy as Singapore prepares to live with Covid-19 and is expected to ease the load on these establishments, which have had to set up equipment and devote manpower to the task during the pandemic.
These vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) were eased since Covid-19 safe management measures were streamlined on March 15.
But the shops will still need to conduct checks if they operate outside mall hours, or have their own direct entrances that bypass the mall entrance.
They will also have to do so for events - regardless of the size of the event and whether food is served - unless they are located on premises that already require checks on the vaccination status of those entering.
They can, however, allow unvaccinated children aged 12 and below to enter their premises or participate in these events, even if these children are from a different household from the adults in the group.
The changes in VDS were announced by several government agencies including Enterprise Singapore, the Housing Board, the Singapore Food Agency, the Singapore Tourism Board and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Starting from Tuesday (March 29), F&B establishments will be allowed to take in larger groups of up to 10 diners, if they perform checks on the vaccination status of diners at their entrances.
This applies to hawker centres and coffee shops as well, and comes as the group size for social gatherings is increased from five to 10 people.
F&B outlets that choose to dispense with vaccination-status checks and access controls at their entrances will be limited to taking in smaller groups of up to five fully vaccinated diners, said the Ministry of Health in a statement on Thursday (March 24).
These operators, though, will need to perform random spot checks to sieve out diners who are not fully vaccinated. But the onus will be on the diners to abide by the rules, said the ministry.
It added: "This will make it easier for the F&B operators who face difficulties in cordoning off their venues and setting up discrete access control points, especially hawker centres and coffee shops."
Responding to a question from The Straits Times about whether the SafeEntry system will still be used, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday that the national digital check-in system is still the easiest way to check a person's vaccination status.
He added at the media conference held by the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19: "We are evolving a different way of enforcement, such that for establishments that do not want to set up the entry control, they can step it down and based on random checks among the patrons, check that they are vaccinated.
"That...will help many establishments to step down and reduce the burden of enforcement and administration."
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - Singapore will soon be taking a big step towards living with Covid-19 as an endemic disease - one that's always around and always a danger to some, but life will go on for the vast majority.
The most significant easing of measures since the start of the pandemic does not mean that Singapore has won the fight against the coronavirus. It just means that the big war is over, but skirmishes will continue.
And that means some casualties, going forward, are also inevitable. But the worst has been weathered.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pointed out in his address to the nation on Thursday (March 24): "Right from the start, we had one overriding aim: to protect lives, and prevent as many avoidable deaths as possible."
This, the nation has succeeded in achieving.
Going by deaths relative to population size, Singapore ranks about 150th globally, with 206 deaths per million population. That is less than a tenth of that seen in countries such as the United States, Italy or Britain, which all had between 2,000 and 3,000 deaths per million population.
In Asia, Malaysia had 1,048, Hong Kong had 891 and South Korea had 278 deaths per million population.
Because of the strict measures imposed early on in the pandemic, the early access to vaccines, coupled with the cooperation of almost the entire population, Singapore has emerged relatively unscathed.
As PM Lee pointed out: "We saw in other countries bleak images of people desperately seeking admission into hospitals, and healthcare workers being forced to choose who lived and who died."
Singapore escaped this.
It now has to ensure that two years of hard-won success does not go down the drain as people rush out to enjoy the freedom and socialising they have been missing for so long.
Yes, by all means celebrate - but in a reasonable manner. And if you have symptoms, and find you have Covid-19, give a thought to people who are more vulnerable to the disease, and stay home so you don't spread it to others.
With increased socialising, the number of infections will likely go up. But if everyone continues to do their part, the increase in infections should not be serious enough to derail Singapore's plans to move towards normality.
Although the Omicron variant is much milder than its predecessor, Delta, it does kill.
In the first three months of this year alone, it has killed about 400 people - and this when 92 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated and 71 per cent of people have received their booster shots.
Some are particularly susceptible to Covid-19, and may die if exposed to it.
These include people with serious chronic diseases that have affected their organs, such as their heart or kidneys, as well as people who are old, whose bodies might not be able to beat the virus, even with the help of vaccines.
For them, the Government is offering a second booster shot.
Their earlier vaccination, as well as the booster, would already give them some protection against severe illness. Unfortunately, the protection is not 100 per cent.
Getting a second booster shot should raise their antibody levels to also protect against infection.
People in this group, including those aged 80 years and older, should take advantage of this offer.
The protection against infection from the booster might last only a few months - but these may be the critical months as the virus continues to circulate freely in the community.
There is also still a small group of people who remain unvaccinated, which puts them at higher risk of infection, and of severe illness if infected.
Said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung: "We have about 2.3 per cent of the adult population not fully vaccinated, and they account for about a quarter of severe illnesses, ICUs (intensive care) and deaths in our hospitals."
To protect the healthcare system so both medical personnel and beds can be freed up to treat people with other serious illnesses, vaccine differentiation will continue.
So both businesses and people will have to live with TraceTogether for some time to come, as "it is still the easiest way to check for vaccination status", said Mr Ong.
For the good of the nation, that 2.3 per cent of the adult population still has to be protected.
But, overall, with the easing of border restrictions as well as domestic measures, it will almost be life as normal. Waiting a little longer for the remaining measures to be lifted is both prudent and sensible.
The last thing the nation needs is for recently removed measures to be reimposed as a result of a massive surge in infections, and deaths.
The big war against Covid-19 may be over, but skirmishes will continue
SINGAPORE - Singapore will soon be taking a big step towards living with Covid-19 as an endemic disease - one that's always around and always a danger to some, but life will go on for the vast majority.
The most significant easing of measures since the start of the pandemic does not mean that Singapore has won the fight against the coronavirus. It just means that the big war is over, but skirmishes will continue.
And that means some casualties, going forward, are also inevitable. But the worst has been weathered.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pointed out in his address to the nation on Thursday (March 24): "Right from the start, we had one overriding aim: to protect lives, and prevent as many avoidable deaths as possible."
This, the nation has succeeded in achieving.
Going by deaths relative to population size, Singapore ranks about 150th globally, with 206 deaths per million population. That is less than a tenth of that seen in countries such as the United States, Italy or Britain, which all had between 2,000 and 3,000 deaths per million population.
In Asia, Malaysia had 1,048, Hong Kong had 891 and South Korea had 278 deaths per million population.
Because of the strict measures imposed early on in the pandemic, the early access to vaccines, coupled with the cooperation of almost the entire population, Singapore has emerged relatively unscathed.
As PM Lee pointed out: "We saw in other countries bleak images of people desperately seeking admission into hospitals, and healthcare workers being forced to choose who lived and who died."
Singapore escaped this.
It now has to ensure that two years of hard-won success does not go down the drain as people rush out to enjoy the freedom and socialising they have been missing for so long.
Yes, by all means celebrate - but in a reasonable manner. And if you have symptoms, and find you have Covid-19, give a thought to people who are more vulnerable to the disease, and stay home so you don't spread it to others.
With increased socialising, the number of infections will likely go up. But if everyone continues to do their part, the increase in infections should not be serious enough to derail Singapore's plans to move towards normality.
Although the Omicron variant is much milder than its predecessor, Delta, it does kill.
In the first three months of this year alone, it has killed about 400 people - and this when 92 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated and 71 per cent of people have received their booster shots.
Some are particularly susceptible to Covid-19, and may die if exposed to it.
These include people with serious chronic diseases that have affected their organs, such as their heart or kidneys, as well as people who are old, whose bodies might not be able to beat the virus, even with the help of vaccines.
For them, the Government is offering a second booster shot.
Their earlier vaccination, as well as the booster, would already give them some protection against severe illness. Unfortunately, the protection is not 100 per cent.
Getting a second booster shot should raise their antibody levels to also protect against infection.
People in this group, including those aged 80 years and older, should take advantage of this offer.
The protection against infection from the booster might last only a few months - but these may be the critical months as the virus continues to circulate freely in the community.
There is also still a small group of people who remain unvaccinated, which puts them at higher risk of infection, and of severe illness if infected.
Said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung: "We have about 2.3 per cent of the adult population not fully vaccinated, and they account for about a quarter of severe illnesses, ICUs (intensive care) and deaths in our hospitals."
To protect the healthcare system so both medical personnel and beds can be freed up to treat people with other serious illnesses, vaccine differentiation will continue.
So both businesses and people will have to live with TraceTogether for some time to come, as "it is still the easiest way to check for vaccination status", said Mr Ong.
For the good of the nation, that 2.3 per cent of the adult population still has to be protected.
But, overall, with the easing of border restrictions as well as domestic measures, it will almost be life as normal. Waiting a little longer for the remaining measures to be lifted is both prudent and sensible.
The last thing the nation needs is for recently removed measures to be reimposed as a result of a massive surge in infections, and deaths.
OYK films a cooking show. 
As part of our welcoming of #HariRaya, #Sembawang GRC will film a cooking show series involving the Advisers. Last week was my turn, and I had a Kuih Tart (pineapple tart) making session with Chef Mel Dean and Nish, hosted by Emcee J.M.
I think I struggled a bit, but Chef Mel was there to correct every mistake. The pastry melts in your mouth – a very good recipe!
Do spread the love to our family and friends throughout this #Ramadan and the upcoming Hari Raya through good (and may I add healthy) food – made with care and love for each other.
Ong Ye Kung
13 hrs ·As part of our welcoming of #HariRaya, #Sembawang GRC will film a cooking show series involving the Advisers. Last week was my turn, and I had a Kuih Tart (pineapple tart) making session with Chef Mel Dean and Nish, hosted by Emcee J.M.
I think I struggled a bit, but Chef Mel was there to correct every mistake. The pastry melts in your mouth – a very good recipe!
Do spread the love to our family and friends throughout this #Ramadan and the upcoming Hari Raya through good (and may I add healthy) food – made with care and love for each other.
OYK took a walk.
Ong Ye Kung
7 hrs ·
Today is the first day of the easing of Safe Management Measures 1-5, and marks another big step towards living with COVID-19.
Took a walk from my office to nearby Tiong Bahru to see how people are adapting to the changes.
Even with the reduced social restrictions, do still remember to keep your guard up, and take care of the vulnerable among us.
Ong Ye Kung
7 hrs ·
Today is the first day of the easing of Safe Management Measures 1-5, and marks another big step towards living with COVID-19.
Took a walk from my office to nearby Tiong Bahru to see how people are adapting to the changes.
Even with the reduced social restrictions, do still remember to keep your guard up, and take care of the vulnerable among us.
OYK was on radio.
Catch me on these this morning:
Kiss92 - https://instagram.com/kiss92fm/live/17930100188133909
ONE FM 91.3 -
Ong Ye Kung
11 hrs ·Catch me on these this morning:
Kiss92 - https://instagram.com/kiss92fm/live/17930100188133909
ONE FM 91.3 -
OYK popped into 3 radio stations. 
Popped into three radio stations (Kiss92, ONE FM 91.3, UFM100.3) this morning, to talk about the easing of Safe Management Measures (SMMs). As usual, lots of fun and laughter with my DJ friends.
A serious question was what the one thing we must all still remember even as the rules are eased. I said it is to remember how we got here, which is that everyone did their part. So continue to protect the vulnerable, get our jabs when it is time, stay home if unwell, and do our part.
A ONE FM 91.3 listener shared that her family is excited to celebrate her grandmother’s 90th birthday today. This is why we need to open up safely and progressively, so that we can better connect and nourish the relationships with our friends and loved ones.
Photo credit: ONE FM 91.3, The Straits Times
Ong Ye Kung
9 hrs ·Popped into three radio stations (Kiss92, ONE FM 91.3, UFM100.3) this morning, to talk about the easing of Safe Management Measures (SMMs). As usual, lots of fun and laughter with my DJ friends.
A serious question was what the one thing we must all still remember even as the rules are eased. I said it is to remember how we got here, which is that everyone did their part. So continue to protect the vulnerable, get our jabs when it is time, stay home if unwell, and do our part.
A ONE FM 91.3 listener shared that her family is excited to celebrate her grandmother’s 90th birthday today. This is why we need to open up safely and progressively, so that we can better connect and nourish the relationships with our friends and loved ones.
Photo credit: ONE FM 91.3, The Straits Times
OYK chats with DJs on air.
It’s been 2 years since I last visited my DJ friends on Mediacorp LOVE 972, chatting with them on air now.
Ong Ye Kung
10 hrs ·It’s been 2 years since I last visited my DJ friends on Mediacorp LOVE 972, chatting with them on air now.
OYK visited more DJ friends.
Visited my DJ friends on Kiss92, ONE FM 91.3 and UFM100.3 yesterday. Here's a glimpse of what went down behind the scenes.
Ong Ye Kung
5 hrs ·Visited my DJ friends on Kiss92, ONE FM 91.3 and UFM100.3 yesterday. Here's a glimpse of what went down behind the scenes.
OYK visits yet another radio station.
Good to be back on Mediacorp LOVE 972 this morning for the Breakfast Quartet《早安！玉建煌崇》.
As always, had a great time chatting with Marcus 建彬, Mark 国煌, Biyu 碧玉 and Dennis 崇庆, mixing fun and laughter and serious messages on COVID-19.
Ended the interview with a sketch of a granddaughter showing her grandpa her negative ART test result. Let’s continue to stay vigilant – test before meeting seniors, stay home if unwell.
每次上《早安！玉建煌崇》的节目都是充满笑声和欢乐。虽然我们已经逐步开放，但是我们还是要保持警惕、居安思危。要拜访年长者前应该先做ART检测，生病就不要出门。这样我们才能与病毒共存！
Ong Ye Kung
4 hrs ·Good to be back on Mediacorp LOVE 972 this morning for the Breakfast Quartet《早安！玉建煌崇》.
As always, had a great time chatting with Marcus 建彬, Mark 国煌, Biyu 碧玉 and Dennis 崇庆, mixing fun and laughter and serious messages on COVID-19.
Ended the interview with a sketch of a granddaughter showing her grandpa her negative ART test result. Let’s continue to stay vigilant – test before meeting seniors, stay home if unwell.
每次上《早安！玉建煌崇》的节目都是充满笑声和欢乐。虽然我们已经逐步开放，但是我们还是要保持警惕、居安思危。要拜访年长者前应该先做ART检测，生病就不要出门。这样我们才能与病毒共存！
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - It is important for Singaporeans to be responsible and use common sense as Singapore lives with the Covid-19 virus, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (March 30).
"These days, rules are just rules," he said in an interview with radio station One FM 91.3. "You have to obey the rules. But you have to exercise a lot of self-responsibility and understand (the need to) mask up when you're indoors - it's because ventilation is not as good."
Responding to radio host Glenn Ong who said that it is important for the public to exercise common sense, the minister said: "So that’s why I say, the main thing to remember is how we got here, which is everyone exercising a lot of common sense and taking self-responsibility. Going forward, (it) is going to be the same."
Masks are currently compulsory in indoor spaces such as malls, lifts, public transport and hawker centres. They are optional outdoors, including in sheltered areas such as void decks and bus stops.
"Even if you're alone in the lift, it's not wrong to leave your mask on. Of course, if the guy before you sneezed..." Mr Ong said, drawing laughter from his hosts.
This logic also applies to settings such as children's playgrounds, he added. If parents find that a playground is too crowded for their comfort, they can simply take their children somewhere else.
"Or if you feel that your child can play with a mask on and you're more comfortable (with that), then do so," Mr Ong said.
The minister spoke to two SPH Media Trust radio stations - Kiss92 FM and One FM 91.3 - in separate interviews on Wednesday morning, where he answered questions on Singapore's reopening plans.
These included whether it remains necessary for people to use TraceTogether and SafeEntry, and if Singapore will consider removing more Covid-19 restrictions.
The requirement to check-in at malls and other venues is mainly about verifying a person's vaccination status, Mr Ong said. This protects unvaccinated people and prevents Singapore's healthcare system from becoming overloaded.
"But there may come a day when cases are low, hospitals are in good shape, and we may say: 'OK we don't need that anymore - and it's your choice now. But please be careful. (If) you are not vaccinated, please protect yourself'," he added.
He reiterated that Singapore will not have a "Freedom Day" on which all restrictions are lifted at once. Rather, the country's way is to do things methodically and open up in a step-by-step manner, he said.
The multi-ministry task force on Covid-19 has decided to ease restrictions because the society is now more resilient, Mr Ong said.
"It's not as if the virus becomes less dangerous overnight. It's still a nasty virus, but what has changed is that we have become stronger. We have become stronger as a society, and that's because of vaccination, because of the fact that we went through a big wave (of infection)."
He noted that Covid-19 cases will go up in the coming weeks and that the Government will consider further easing of rules once the next hump is over.
But part of living with Covid-19 as an endemic disease means accepting that it is here to stay, similar to influenza, he observed. "We will learn how to live with it, manage the risks and live with this force of nature."
The minister also outlined the Government's thinking behind the decision to double the permitted size of gatherings from five to 10 people, instead of the previous cap of eight people.
"We did a calculation, and whether it is eight or 10, it would not make a huge difference in terms of the pressure on hospitals," he said.
Mr Ong was also asked light-hearted questions, including which Star Wars character he would want to be.
"I don't know which character I want to be, but I like Darth Vader," Mr Ong replied. "I know he's the villain, but he is great, right? He's dark, he's Jedi, he's Sith, he's the father."
Be responsible and use common sense as S'pore lives with Covid-19: Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE - It is important for Singaporeans to be responsible and use common sense as Singapore lives with the Covid-19 virus, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (March 30).
"These days, rules are just rules," he said in an interview with radio station One FM 91.3. "You have to obey the rules. But you have to exercise a lot of self-responsibility and understand (the need to) mask up when you're indoors - it's because ventilation is not as good."
Responding to radio host Glenn Ong who said that it is important for the public to exercise common sense, the minister said: "So that’s why I say, the main thing to remember is how we got here, which is everyone exercising a lot of common sense and taking self-responsibility. Going forward, (it) is going to be the same."
Masks are currently compulsory in indoor spaces such as malls, lifts, public transport and hawker centres. They are optional outdoors, including in sheltered areas such as void decks and bus stops.
"Even if you're alone in the lift, it's not wrong to leave your mask on. Of course, if the guy before you sneezed..." Mr Ong said, drawing laughter from his hosts.
This logic also applies to settings such as children's playgrounds, he added. If parents find that a playground is too crowded for their comfort, they can simply take their children somewhere else.
"Or if you feel that your child can play with a mask on and you're more comfortable (with that), then do so," Mr Ong said.
The minister spoke to two SPH Media Trust radio stations - Kiss92 FM and One FM 91.3 - in separate interviews on Wednesday morning, where he answered questions on Singapore's reopening plans.
These included whether it remains necessary for people to use TraceTogether and SafeEntry, and if Singapore will consider removing more Covid-19 restrictions.
The requirement to check-in at malls and other venues is mainly about verifying a person's vaccination status, Mr Ong said. This protects unvaccinated people and prevents Singapore's healthcare system from becoming overloaded.
"But there may come a day when cases are low, hospitals are in good shape, and we may say: 'OK we don't need that anymore - and it's your choice now. But please be careful. (If) you are not vaccinated, please protect yourself'," he added.
He reiterated that Singapore will not have a "Freedom Day" on which all restrictions are lifted at once. Rather, the country's way is to do things methodically and open up in a step-by-step manner, he said.
The multi-ministry task force on Covid-19 has decided to ease restrictions because the society is now more resilient, Mr Ong said.
"It's not as if the virus becomes less dangerous overnight. It's still a nasty virus, but what has changed is that we have become stronger. We have become stronger as a society, and that's because of vaccination, because of the fact that we went through a big wave (of infection)."
He noted that Covid-19 cases will go up in the coming weeks and that the Government will consider further easing of rules once the next hump is over.
But part of living with Covid-19 as an endemic disease means accepting that it is here to stay, similar to influenza, he observed. "We will learn how to live with it, manage the risks and live with this force of nature."
The minister also outlined the Government's thinking behind the decision to double the permitted size of gatherings from five to 10 people, instead of the previous cap of eight people.
"We did a calculation, and whether it is eight or 10, it would not make a huge difference in terms of the pressure on hospitals," he said.
Mr Ong was also asked light-hearted questions, including which Star Wars character he would want to be.
"I don't know which character I want to be, but I like Darth Vader," Mr Ong replied. "I know he's the villain, but he is great, right? He's dark, he's Jedi, he's Sith, he's the father."
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