New Mask Given by Singapore Government

I received my second reusable mask given by Singapore Government.  Have you collected yours?

Go to this website to see where you can collect at https://www.maskgowhere.gov.sg/. You can also collect from vending machines.

Mini Art Gallery at Home

With the rising coronavirus cases in Singapore, it is very important to stay at home. Our dedicated healthcare workers are currently facing increasing number of foreign workers infected with coronavirus. It must be overwhelming for our healthcare staff. They should get additional bonus while most of us are working from home. I wonder if our Singapore government will seek health from other countries if we really have 30000 infected cases? I just read that Singapore have about 323 000 low-wage migrant workers in Singapore.   

I'm glad that my room is filled with beautiful arts with lovely postcards and souvenirs. Sometimes I think my room is a mini library and art gallery. I'm introvert and enjoy staying at home reading books, newspapers and magazines and occasionally sketching. 

I only go out once in a blue moon to meet my cousins and friends or buy something. Other than that, I rather stay at home reading.

Sudden Spike of Coronavirus Cases in Singapore

I had a rude shock this morning when I read that yesterday, Singapore had a record spike of 728 infected coronavirus cases, most of whom are migrant workers who stay in dormitories.

Shock turns to anger. I'm frustrated with the government reactive response. I notice that there are many pap internet brigades putting down on concerned citizens rational demand for accountability calling them kpkb, which is not helpful at all.

Mind you, I'm not pro-opposition. Last election, I voted for the current ruling government. I think its high time Singapore government listen to citizens' concerns and not 'yes' men surrounding them who are like the eunuchs of earlier Chinese dynasties cheering for them even when they are doing wrong. Which just lead to the many downfalls of earlier Chinese emperors. You need to listen to Singaporeans who are frustrated with the latest rising infected cases in Singapore. 

There was no strict implementation of social distancing enforcement in public transport. It made people feel that there was no consistency in implementing social distancing and they just introduced it for the sake of it.

Why are you still allowing runners running in the street without wearing masks? What if the runners themselves have coronavirus and unknowingly spread to others?

Straits Times writer did not add one more weakest link in today report. Many foreign workers travel in Singapore public transports via the MRT or/and buses. What if they had unknowingly spread the virus to the locals who are not yet tested for coronavirus? 

I'm concerned that Singapore army camps are used for foreign workers accommodation for now. Is it safe?

Why did they not listen to China's healthcare experts sharing that the virus could be spread by air and by asymptomatic people? Just think for a moment, a person who has common flu can spread to others by sneezing. What make you think coronavirus which is more lethal than flu can't spread via airborne transmission?   

Several concerned activists for the foreign workers had already raised concerns about their living conditions before the spike in coronavirus cases. Why didn't the Ministry of Manpower take action? Medical bills for migrant workers should be paid for by the dormitories owners and not paid for by public funds. 

The government had spent money on campaign videos to discourage Singaporeans from wearing masks if they are well and put down people who wear mask as ignorant and kiasi (scare to die). That is their strategy: To put down others who disagree with them.

My concern now is can our hospitals and healthcare staff cope with the rise of infected coronavirus cases? Thinking of the rising cases made me nauseous. It is not practical to separate rising infected cases to migrant and local cases separately since they be using only Singapore medical facilities and need local healthcare staff to take care of them. 

Report stated that there are more infected cases as there are more coronavirus testing for foreign workers. Have they conducted more testing for Singaporeans who might have the virus? Maybe they should conduct more tests for Singaporeans, many who could be asymptomatic. 

If this continue, I doubt one month lockdown is sufficient to stem the spread of coronavirus in Singapore considering the fact that the government was late in implementing the lockdown when there were about 1000 infected cases in densely populated Singapore. I think now it could take 5 to 6 months instead to see flat curve. New Zealand started to lock down the country when there were 150 cases.

I was wondering which healthcare experts Singapore government was listening to which caused widespread virus outbreak in Singapore. I was wondering why education minister resisted closing schools despite earlier report by Chinese health officers that Coronavirus can spread by asymptomatic person published in Scientific Amercan earlier on 31 January 2020 here.

You don't wait for the number to rise then you lock down. Its always better to be safe than sorry. 

I think it is not helpful to separate the infected cases to 2 different categories as in migrant and Singaporean. They must start to investigate where did the migrants go to and who they were in contact with. For example did they meet any local volunteers and counsellor. Which public transport route did they travel?

A true leader should have the courage to admit their mistake , move on and improve the situation. There should also be accountability. 

Concern of Rising Coronavirus Cases in Singapore

It is worrying to see a spike of 287 infected coronavirus cases two days ago and yesterday an increase of 198 new infected cases in Singapore, a city state. 

If this continue, I doubt one month lockdown is sufficient to stem the spread of coronavirus in Singapore considering the fact that the government was late in implementing the lockdown when there were about 1000 infected cases in densely populated Singapore. It could take 2 to 3 months instead to see flat curve. 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had swiftly started lockdown on 25 March 2020 when there were 205 infected coronavirus cases.

In Singapore, there are many cases that they could not trace. High probability these people were infected in the crowded public transports in buses and MRT before the lockdown. 

I was wondering which scientific experts Singapore government was listening to which caused widespread virus outbreak in Singapore. I was wondering why education minister Mr Ong Ye Kung resisted closing schools despite earlier report by Chinese health officers on Coronavirus spread by asymptomatic person published in Scientific Amercan earlier on 31 January 2020 here.


It is disconcerting to see the lapse and slow judgement by our government. Are they still going to heed Dr Dale Fisher's advice to manage coronavirus cases? Why didn't they take precaution and heed health officers from China who has flatten the curve yet choose to trust other foreign "expert". Or is it because they chose to listen to what they want to listen to, thus they chose to listen to Dr Dale Fisher's recommendation? I see the danger of our ministers surrounded by "yes" men. 

I think they ought to apologise to Singaporeans for their slow response and lack of judgement which has now caused rising infected coronavirus cases. A true leader should have the courage to admit their mistake , move on and improve the situation. 

Saw this interesting picture from a Facebook post.

This video was shared on 25 January 2020.

What Are You Doing During Circuit Breaker?

What are you doing now during circuit breaker or partial lockdown in Singapore?

With the implementation of circuit breaker, I now work at home. It helps me to save about 2 hours of travelling time via public transport to and back from my workplace and also 30 mins preparation time for work.

I also don't meet my cousins or friends on weekend and public holidays as it is crucial to stay at home with the outbreak of coronavirus in Singapore with 287 cases spike in a day yesterday. Now there are 1910 infected cases in Singapore in densely populated city state of about 5.8 millions people within 721.5 km land.

For weekend, I will spend time reading the magazines and books that I brought but was too busy to read. I will also engage in drawing, painting and glass stone craft. 

Maybe it's a good time for you to find out what you really want to do in life with the time you have.

 Brought acrylic painting and glass stone magnet a few weeks ago.

Reading some of my favourite magazines 

Workplace and Schools Closure in Singapore

In my earlier blog post, "Crowded MRT Station- Social Distancing?", I already highlighted my concerns on my observation of the crowded MRT station in Singapore during peak hours when many residents are going home from work and vice versa. It seems like a half-hearted attempt by our government to implement social-distancing since its not possible to execute this measure in public transport in MRT and buses during peak hours. 

I'm rather disappointed with the late response by our normally efficient government during this pandemic crisis, especially our Education minister. I find they are rather slow and reactive. They only act when the number of coronavirus infected cases increases and not take advance preventive measures by closing school and workplace early. By the time the virus spread, it will be hard to contain and trace especially some infected asymptomatic people don't display the symptoms and studies has shown asymptomatic people can spread the virus. 

One need to take priority on health over monetary. Once you lose your health, you lose everything. It is irreversible. With health, at least you can still earn back the money. 

Someone say common sense is no longer common sense to some. Perhaps they think they are immune to the virus because of their official positions or skin colours. Initially the caucasians were reluctant to wear masks and our government had discouraged the healthy citizens from wearing masks due to shortage of masks. Now then they are suggesting reusable mask. It makes me wonder if our government leaders had truly care for us instead of mask shortage. 

I'm not a fan of western democracy but more on Asian Confucian democracy style. 

I don't think this year is appropriate for General election in Singapore. Let's control and reduce the number of infected cases first. I quite disappointed with the government slow and reactive approach in managing this crisis. At the same time, I don't want to vote for people who advocate western democracy. 

As of today, there are 1114 infected COVID-19 cases and 6 deaths in Singapore, a densely populated city state of about 5.6 millions people.

Singapore to Close All Entertainment Venues

There is an increase of 49 new Covid-19 cases in Singapore today including 32 imported cases. 

As reported in The Straits Times today, bars, cinemas and all other entertainment outlets will be closed from Thursday (March 26) 11.59pm till April 30 due to rising imported cases to the country.

Click here to read more.

Will There Be Workplace Closure in Singapore?

There are now a total of 432 coronavirus infected cases and 2 deaths in Singapore as reported in the Straits Times today. 140 people have recovered. I feel sad for the deceased family and it reminds me that life is unpredictable. 人生无常。

The Singapore government is now implementing social distancing to reduce the spread of coronavirus in Singapore. However I have a question. How are they going to implement social distancing in public transport during peak hours? I'm wondering if they understand the situation in Singapore public transport during peak hours when many employees are going to work and going home. Have they thought about the impact of crowded air-conditioned confined space in buses and SMRT? I still notice passengers coughing in public buses without wearing masks. Contact tracing is fast becoming impractical with more coronavirus cases. By the way can someone tell me where to buy masks? I went to Watson stores and they told me there is no stock. 

This Tuesday when I took Taxi with my mother, the taxi driver was coughing and not wearing mask. I hope taxi companies here will educate their drivers to rest at home and not drive when they are coughing. Or if they insist on driving, at least wear a mask when they are coughing. They should implement consequences for irresponsible taxi drivers who put their passengers' lives at risk. 

I think our government is buying time now. It's better to start saving money and not spend unnecessary now. This recession might last till next year if there is still no cure. If there is a spike of infected covid-19 cases especially when many Singaporeans and residents are returning to Singapore from overseas with the virus, there could be workplace closure. 

One must bear in mind, medical priority must be for Singaporeans who stay here to defend and contribute to Singapore in both good and bad times. 

Update:  Today 39 imported cases are returning residents and long-term pass holders, while six are short-term visitors. Why are they allowing short-term visitors in to Singapore? Will Singapore hospitals be able to cope with rising coronavirus infected patients? 

Saw this social distancing poster at Temasek Polytechnic library.