October 2021 - Singapore Embraces Covid

 

In transition between different and significant approaches in managing Covid, Singapore is at the cross roads. The journey so far for Europe is swinging from lockdowns to freedom and now back to lockdowns. No economy can endure lockdowns on and off, especially for one like Singapore, but the question is "at what price?". Here are key quotes from a televised address by the Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien-loong, to his nation on 3 October 2021. "Singapore cannot stay locked down indefinitely." "We are shifting to home recovery" "No more complicated flow charts." "Knowing what to do makes Covid not a scary disease." "Sooner or later, everyone of us will meet the virus." "Keeping connected to supply chains will help ensure Singapore's hub status." "We must ensure for Singapore's health systen and health workers, which is our last line of defence." "We must be our nation's first line of defence, to help protect our health system." "We may yet have to tap on the brakes, in order not to free up too fast." "How will we know when we have arrived at the New Normal?"

We Need Less Uncertainty and More Proactive Action

What each of us, and our society, business and mental health needs most of all, is more certainty - all across the world. The way public health and epidemic control, in the past 2 years or so, has been handled can be abrupt, heavy handed and with lack of adequate communication with all stakeholders. Authorities swing their power to impose measures, likely using fear as an unnecessary tool or having unrevealed agendas behind the methods or plans utilised. Delta is not to be underestimated, but at the same time, it must not be manipulated for other purposes. Politicians and "the science" may have to work in a kind of knowledge vacuum, but that does not mean always taking a stare down approach. The public deserves more sincerity from our elected officials, who cannot just issue cherry picked information, but should be more open on what challenges there are in unknowns. Beware, in whatever pathway is offered, it is prudent to have a back up plan. The jarring way in which the powers that be, seem to react, instead of better planning ahead for more than one option, can be concerning. Delta, the varying performance of vaccinations, the lack of capability for the worst scenario....they can throw huge spanners in the works. Our authorities also need to take more heed of how Delta - and new mutated strains - can still create havoc, despite a city having high rates of vaccination roll out. There seems to be less open discussion about vaccinations than Covid itself. We need not repeat mistakes of others - cities and nations can learn from each other. There is often a lack of resources, staffing and infrastructure available, when not planning ahead for a variety of scenarios and outcomes. With an epidemic, what learned institutions, sitting politicians and quoted modeling say may not eventuate. Another risk is that political priorities, in any country or society put under the cloud of Delta, can still be more important than the application of common sense. The other huge concern is that in whatever pathway we are offered, government tends to pronounce broad strokes, without paying enough attention to implementation details - and keep allowing exemptions to what they want us to comply with. And the other often unsaid danger is to hype up the expectations of voters, without realistic outcomes. How many times have we been promised more travel bubbles, urged to pay for airline tickets months in advance and told to book for holidays?

Questions Remaining re Covid management by Authorities

After around 2 years of Covid, there can be nothing like prevention at first level by face masking, minimising hanging out at places with poor ventilation and exercising more of our personal intelligence and mindfulness.

Vaccinations are at best defensive measures after viral invasions get out of control. They are said to sustain a high level of antibodies in our physical make up to fight Covid.

The world's populations have already worn face masks during the Spanish flu, SARs, plagues etc. Covid vaccinations can still be immature in their development - the rate at which authorities push such vaccinations, even if kosher, can be alarming. Successful vaccinations we take in the past are usually annually taken, not so often within a year.

Emphasis on producing anti viral medicine for Covid seems to be at a lesser pace.

There is also a lack of focus on the usefulness of our memory T cells in our own bodies to naturally fight Covid.

Every excuse can be given by authorities across the world on the varying performance of current Covid vaccinations. These are my observations, but I do not know what stand to take anymore.

China still takes more of an elimination stand against Covid, while at the same time achieving high vaccination rates. Western societies have hyped up the protective powers of vaccinations as the reason for opening up the economy and loosening movement restrictions - and yet cases are significantly spiking again across Europe. India has not achieved the high rates of vaccinations touted as manna by many governments - and yet has not suffered as many infections per capita of population.

Several societies have been told that Covid, in whatever form, Delta strain or other mutants, must now be embraced as endemic - we are encouraged to live with it. Then why are bureaucrats still counting and reporting new daily cases of Covid?

If the common flu is accepted as endemic, we do not get such scrutiny of infection numbers for this viral spread.

Yet intense testing regimes for endemic Covid are carried out on international air travellers - and close contacts of confirmed infectees at exposure sites are required to isolate.

When various types of Covid vaccinations do not deliver what is promised as outcomes, the onus of responsibility is often pushed to the populace - we did not have our booster shots, we have various underlying health conditions, we are vaccine hesitant, new infections are affecting the unvaccinated, etc.

Very rare are the Big Pharmas questioned in mainstream media and by governments about the performance of vaccinations and the viability of their official testing data.

Can You Recognise Such a Person?

 

Which person of prominence, in your observation or knowledge, can you attribute the following behaviour? 1. Never misses a photo opportunity to promote a certain political purpose or impression. 2. Cites higher powers for being chosen to lead to a bigger destiny. 3. Manipulates other sources of power or spins events to fast track a selfish agenda. 4. Has clear ideas on the kind of new social order he wants entrenched. 5. Utilises position to exploit nationalist sentiments in playing politics. 6. Downplays the past record to hide any deficiencies and divert attention for purposes of the present or future. 7. Changes previously strong alliances when convenient or when no longer required for purpose. 8. Utilises extreme marketing approaches to confuse between the nation, the nation's way and what is really his personal way. 9. Resorts to ruthlessness, aggression and trickery on rhe quiet to get to the top of the ladder. 10. Controls the media in reporting to, influencing and fooling the populace - and personally good in stirring up the public. Every one reading this will by now have one or two personalities in mind, but the listed features above were all truly characteristic of Hitler.

Islands In the Stream

Three islands of varying sizes have found themselves geographically located next to influential next door neighbours. TASMANIA Tasmania, so near the Antarctic, compared to most other lands, stands out as the pristine ecological opportunity to still seriously take care of, despite the march of economic explotation, hydro water engineering, mining and cutting down of its quality forests. Its socio-political fate is significantly linked to mainland Australia across the Bass Straits. With a relatively less dense population compared to even New Zealand's North and South Islands, its First Peoples of Lutuwrita met head on big time with different civilisations four hundred years ago. It still relies on tourism monies, now cut off because of the borders closed as a keymeasure to manage a Coronavirus we seem to not fully understand and able to control. Tasmania's other virtues, however, cannot be over looked apart from use of the land and surrounding seas. The advantage of being remote can now come to the fore. While Earth increasingly shows strains of being over utilised and over populated in parts, Tasmania can be a unique laboratory for innovative social ideas, technological progress and as a biosecurity haven. Its status as a Federated State with Australia still means limitations in its own empowerment and the interference of Canberra, which has a Federal Government acting in varying levels of benefit to the Southern Antipodes. Like the rest of Australia, it is blessed with land, a lot of it in Tasmania being arable, although it can be mountainous in its centre. Islands do have a greater inherent urgency and character to be more self-sufficient than others. Tasmania ranks as 26th in the ranking of island size on Earth. It has more rainfall than most of desert island mainland Australia. Its socio-political dynamics are most closely linked with Victoria. In terms of military security, it is furthest located from the most vulnerable northern corners of the nation facing South East Asia. Tasmanian authorities can increase cooperation with New Zealand - with both countries creating the best hub for clean fresh produce, outdoor sports and different lifestyles. SINGAPORE Education,leadership, meritocracy, resilient security and having a strategic mindset are what the Republic of Singapore emphasises. This five pronged approach can be foremost in mind applied by Tasmania's Governments to ensure its competitive edge with the rest of the world. Singapore has no natural resources and yet it is now a developed nation with a standard of living, currency value and GDP per capita higher than most other countries. I reflect on several other similar achieving small city states from history. So the advantage of having a land area smaller than so many islands can mean it is easier to manage - or not. Size can always be a two edged sword and it is always not a factor to just rely on. Though small in acreage and mostly flat levelled it is, Singapore has a population comparable to Greater Sydney. The Republic has a complex social heritage like Sri Lanka - both nations were colonies of Britain, prospered as entrepots and are located on major shipping routes. The Government of Singapore values every inch of land it has in its territory and maps its details accordingly - apart from being so experienced in land reclamation. It also emphasises in ensuring extensive foliage as far it can for its populace. Landscaping and provision of public facilities are significantly evident. Such attributes by its Government echo the hunger for advancement despite the odds. Progress can only come but at a price, use of smart approaches, striving for excellence and inculcation of national unity in its peoples. The economy is dependent on migrant labour, openness in trading and travel and adoption of forward looking technolgies. Advancement also means more than survival. The island is a Red Dot once politically attached to the Malayan Peninsular. Its proximity to the Indonesian islands implies that what happens next door can easily and quickly over flow into Singapore. Within ten minutes of takeoff, a Singapore Airlines flight aircraft is already on to Malaysian or international air space. Its alliances and past history with Britain now has cascaded down stream through time into a closer political relationship with the USA, Australia and New Zealand, as well necessarily with its ASEAN neighbours and an ever prosperous and powerful China. Singapore thrived as a middle man and can still play a useful role as a broker on the ever changing stage of world wide politics. The Republic does not host any American military bases, unlike Australia, South Korea and Japan - but its largest trading partner is China. Singapore is sensitive to and emphatic about maintaining racial harmony in its society. Developments in Malaysia, separated only by two causways, are always top priority as its nearest neighbour has policies, rules and mindsets which can be so different from the core values of contemporary Singapore. Better economic performance by Singaporeans can attract respect, disdain and rivalry from others. Security of supplies to its populace lies at the base of Singaporean existence and its government can be masters of crisis management. SRI LANKA The former Ceylon was a gem for the colonial British Empire. Like Singapore, different ethnic groups were brought together to live and work on an island the size of Tasmania. Since independence, the dominant Singhalese have asserted primary control in politics - and minorities have been disadvantaged by civil war, religious divisions and poor economic performanace. Sri Lanka, unlike Singapore and like Tasmania, is rich in natural resources. Its rich cultural heritage can draw tourists but its mismanagement lies at the base of many problems that persist today. In contrast,the island's landscapes and wild life are a stand out delight. Muslims, the biggest minority of Tamils, Burghers, Moors, Malays, Chinese and the Indigenous Vedda also live in the Republic of Sri Lanka. The Arabs, Portuguese and Dutch adventurer traders preceeded the Brits, sailing on their way to Malacca and the Spice Islands. Add to this mix an agricultural and plantation based way of life, the power of the military and a rather obvious modification of the Westminster form of democracy. Located between the Indian Ocean and across the Palk Straits to India, its primary religion is Buddhism, spread long ago through its larger neighbour. The island nation is also seen as strategic by superpowers. It was an important stop for flights between London and Singapore. Its idyliic coasts, cooling hills and inherent serendipity contrast with the brew of a social complexity still simmering for a relatively small country. Sri Lanka can perhaps take a leaf out of the book used by Singapore to minimise racial and religious conflict. Steps can be taken to reduce a climate of extremism, intolerance and excessive political infighting. Strengths in health, education and family resilience can be highlighted to build a better society. The equatorial climate can infuse an easy air of casualness on the island, so the violence experienced and witnessed in the Republic's history can be shocking. Even if one took no sides in the long drawn out civil war, one cannot escape feeling the ruthlessness in which it was carried out, with many casaulties and victims , especially for civillians in the north-eastern corner of the country. The recent history of Sri Lanka teaches others, if we want to escape its unfortunate experience, to never let intolerance in all forms permeate. Socio-economic development must prioritise to help all sections of Sri Lankan society. Investment funding is critical to Sri Lanka. It can reach out to build more trade links between Africa and Asia. It cannot afford to be held back by its current deficiencies but it must look to itself more to develop its future. IN CONCLUSION Three different islands are undergoing different paths. You may have visted them to chill out in travel-frenzy times before the past 2 years. The best asset each island discussed above has are its people and their determination to succeed further in the 21st century. Each island offers us a most rewarding diversity in food, blessed by its location and surrounding influences, but what in the Big Picture can each island offer themselves? Their peoples do have strengths and positive values which can be further encouraged and utilised to rely upon when faced with future perils, especially when they can be drawn into the problems or conflicts of their specific region. Each of these islands can play their role as save havens, whether from outside turmoil,to contain contamination or for alternative lifestyles. However, each to has to confront their own Achilles heel in this process and seek renewed opportunities in the unique fields they can excel in. Whatever threats and disadvantages it faces, each of the three islands also needs continuing future leaders who will rise above it all. yongkevthoughts Tasmania 65022 square km 2020 Population 541071 No 26 Ranking in island Size Singapore 728.6 square km 2020 Population 5.7 million - Sri Lanka 65610 square km 2020 Population 21.14 million No 25 Ranking in Island Size City of Wollongong NSW 221 square km 2020 Population 307407 City of Perth Western Australia 14 square km 2020 Population 30971 City of Adelaide South Australia 3260 square km 2020 Population 1.38 million Greater Melbourne Victoria 9993 square km 2020 Population 5.13 million Greater Brisbane Queensland 1343 square km 2020 Population 2.56 million Greater Sydney New South Wales 12370 square km 2020 Population 5.37 million Greater Auckland New Zealand 637 square km 2020 Population 1.6 million Island of Penang Malaysia 293 square km 2020 Population 1.8 million