The pandemic brought to the fore the critical role of the People’s Association (PA)
The pandemic brought to the fore the critical role of the People’s Association (PA). The People’s Association (PA) is often the target of attack from the Opposition. But the 3 years of pandemic and the response of PA during the pandemic had altered people’s perception – and appreciation – of the PA. The pandemic years […]
Debunking 3 common myths about the People’s Association
The People’s Association (PA) – you know them as the people who handle your community spaces in your HDB estates, those who do community events – but who are they really? We debunk 3 common misconceptions (or ahem, conspiracy theories as sometimes conjured up by opposition parties) about these unsung heroes. Myth 1: The People’s […]
Singapore goes from third place to top spot in the Chandler Good Government Index
Singapore has moved from third place to top spot in the Chandler Good Government Index. In second place is Switzerland. Finland, which has topped the index since it was first published in 2021, is in third place. This is the third edition of the index. Singapore’s top rank is helped by its strong performance in […]
Are expired COVID-19 vaccines a waste of taxpayers’ money?
Around S$140 million worth of COVID-19 vaccines have expired. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung described this as ‘insurance premium’, the price that Singapore is prepared to pay to stave of catastrophic consequences. The PAP Government realised early on during the pandemic, that vaccines were our safe exit from the pandemic. They decided to act early […]
A look at Singapore’s COVID-19 response, a complex and wicked problem on a grand scale
“COVID-19 was a very complex and wicked problem on a grand scale,” said DPM Lawrence Wong. Our battle with the virus was a journey with many twists and turns, and with repeated surprises and disruptions along the way. The situation was dynamic and fluid, with new information and developments unfolding daily. We had to operate […]
Expired vaccines are an insurance premium we paid to stave off catastrophic consequences: Ong Ye Kung
The Government knew early on during the COVID-19 pandemic that vaccines would provide us with a safe exit from the pandemic. Hence the mass vaccination strategy. However, without sufficient doses of vaccines, our mass vaccination strategy would have been a non-starter, as Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in Parliament. COVID-19 was a new virus. […]
Omicron likely to be more widespread than just South Africa, says Ho Ching
The new variant of concern (VOC) named Omicron is likely to be more widespread than just South Africa, said Ms Ho Ching in a Facebook post. One Belgian case, for instance, visited Egypt and Turkey, and was not anywhere near southern Africa. This suggests more widespread transmission than just in southern Africa. The Omicron, said […]
Netizens react to Singapore’s vaccination measures in the workplace
Singapore’s vaccination drive has been really successful thus far, about 96% of our workforce is vaccinated. Over the weekend, it was announced that vaccinated employees will be allowed to return to their workplaces from 2022. Unvaccinated employees will not be allowed to return to their workplaces unless they take regular PET tests and test negative […]
Why are there 2 different numbers for the ICU? Ho Ching explains
Some people have noticed that the MOH’s daily updates for the COVID-19 situation have different numbers for the ICU. Why are there 2 different numbers for the ICU, they asked. Because we are kiasu, said Mdm Ho Ching. In many countries, covid cases are hospitalised only after they are very seriously sick. But here in […]
Sinovac-CoronoVac included in the National Vaccination Programme
The Sinovac-CoronoVac COVID-19 vaccine will be included in the National Vaccination Programme (NVP), the Multi-Ministry Taskforce said. This follows the interim authorisation of the vaccine by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). This will allow those who are medically ineligible to take any mRNA vaccine to take three doses of Sinovac-CoronacVac. Those who had allergies or […]