11th March 2020
Dear DPM Heng & ministers,
I have analyzed the above matters
time and again – and am offering some practical and workable solutions which I
trust the Singapore Government values and appreciates.
Some critics tell me that I am
wasting my time giving suggestions/feedback as the government will not listen. So, let’s debunk those feelings, shall we?
I love my country and I want the
BEST for ALL
Coronavirus: 1 in 5 patients went out or carried on with
work despite being ill
Health Minister was quoted as saying
in the above news report published today in The Straits Times: “I am very concerned
that many of the locally transmitted cases resulted from the socially
irresponsible actions of a few individuals who continued to go to work, and
attended events, and participated in activities despite being unwell, and went
on to spread the disease to their family, friends and other contacts.”
I share the view that anyone who is
unwell should not go outdoors, especially during the current Coronavirus
outbreak as transmission can spread – like wild fire.
More than fifth or 38 of the earlier
confirmed 160 cases failed to minimize social contact.
For recreational activities, there
is no question that this must be stopped.
But what about people going to
work? Let’s face it– Singapore is one of
the most expensive cities in the world and people have to pay for bills, take
care of their kids, or elderly parents (if they have any) and put food on their
tables.
Let’s see how we help this group to
embrace social responsibility and observe government regulations simultaneously.
Possible solutions
(a) When reservists attend annual
in-camp training sessions, those who are self-employed can make claims from the
armed forces for the period when they undertake reservists’ call ups.
A similar scheme can be put in place
for those who are unwell and are advised to stay at home during outbreaks. That way, people who are self-employed will
comply with the rulings.
For public sector employees, the
reservists get paid by their employers and thus, they do not need to make such claims.
(b)
DPM Heng announced that a cash payout of anything between $100 to S300
will be given to Singaporeans in October this year. I urge
the Government to bring forward this payout in April or May 2020 as many
Singaporeans are in dire need of expenses for daily living.
Bird menace in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5
Although
the newly designed bamboo pole hangers are useful to prevent the poles and
clothing from falling down, the bird menace in my area is causing havoc as
every day the birds will pass their droppings onto the pole hangers as well as
the clothing. This must also be the same scenario in other
HDB estates, I am dead sure.
The
birds will sit on the poles and centre part of the pole holders and drop their
faeces onto the clothing and hangers below from above where they are perched.
These dropping take place once or twice a day and it is most unhealthy.
At
times, the birds will attempt to enter the kitchen to look for food so I always
keep my window grills closed.
Given
that the birds will drop their faeces directly below the clothing, I have no
choice but to hang my laundry sideways to prevent the droppings from falling
onto my clothing. Time and again I had to end up re-washing my
soiled clothing, and then having to pay more for my PUB bills. At
times, I dry my clothing inside my kitchen.
The solution
is to build shorter trees in HDB estates where proximity of each block of flats
is very close.
We
are reminded time and again by MOH to keep ourselves healthy and open our
windows to let the air circulate – so I hope this bird menace problem can be
tacked swiftly.
Mask for food handlers
Food handlers can help in preventing transmission of
diseases by themselves practicing good hygiene habits.
It will be prudent when more masks are available to
make it mandatory for all food handlers in markets and other eating places to
wear masks as these workers could be having flu or other related illnesses and
could be passing it on to customers when they talk, cough or sneeze.
Epidemics & traveller convenience:
Build budget hotel/hostels at the airport: A public suggestion to the
ministerial task force on the coronavirus
Since I presented the above proposal to
the team, the number of cases-both in Singapore and overseas, have increases a
great deal.
To refresh your memory, I reproduced the
said proposal
If space is an issue at the airport or
other check points, then planners and developers working closely with engineers
can build quarantine centers along with related screening facilities and
manpower underground –as with bomb shelters; taking into account proper
ventilation.
Even though revenue will not come in
instantly or never will, it’s a good investment given that time and again, we
will see other types of viruses coming on-stream.
Today its 6 billion or even more being
taken from our reserves. What about the
next one, and the next one?
To add on further to what I have
documented, I propose that the building of Terminal 5 at Changi Airport can be
delayed for at least 2 -3 years as it’s unlikely that air traffic will be high
on the agenda as travelers are not keen to travel and airlines are losing
money.
That said, with attractive and enticing
promotions, people will take to the skies once again. Cebu Pacific for instance is offering a
two-way ticket to Philippines for only $89 for specific dates in March
2020.
Media reports on COVID -19 can inform,
but not overplayed
While it is necessary to give updates on
the epidemic, I don’t think it is prudent for the media to run so many reports
on the virus for it puts unnecessary fear into people. I read 5 to 10 pages of the Coronavirus
almost everyday and journalists must be mindful of the term, ‘overkill’. The world will shun Singapore and even her
citizens if the RIGHT balance is not
struck. The assault case of a
Singaporean student in London is a case in point
Let’s get some positive reports, shall
we – for a change?
Mental health issues/education: Degree
or wisdom more important
Professor Tommy Koh’s commentary a
couple of Sundays ago, “Time to put mental health high on list of national
priorities” strikes a chord with me as I have been speaking candidly about my
wife’s 44-year battle with schizophrenia for
more than a decade - on TV, radio, the press and on social media,
I am a suicide survivor and have turned
my life around and that one my late wife.
I only have an ‘O’ level but have helped
so many people rebuild their lives with my love story and my advocacy work. Yet
besides IMH, I find it most disappointing that my work is not valued or
appreciated.
Why is it so important to possess a
degree when I have knowledge, experience and wisdom in managing mental health
issues?
Aren’t the qualities I possess from a
life experience just as important – if not more important than paper
qualifications? Time to change mindsets given the rise in suicides and the
number of people in Singapore, including youths and the elderly struggling with
mental illnesses.
I appreciate a rely to my proposals and
feedback I have painstakingly put up, if not a full one then at least an
interim one initially.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Raymond Anthony Fernando
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