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Man who helped organise 13-person party with Terence Cao, other artistes fined $3,000

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
Photo: Instagram screengrab/Jeffrey Xu

Singapore— Lance Lim, the man who helped organise a 13-person party at the home of actor Terence Cao in October last year, was fined S$3,000 on Tuesday (May 18).

He pleaded guilty to a breach of Covid-19 measures while the country was still in Phase 2

Lim could have been fined up to S$10,000 and jailed up to six months.

The 50-year-old former magazine editor invited four people to the birthday party of Cao at the actor’s condominium on the evening of Oct 2, 2021, despite knowing that other guests were coming. 

At that time, only five people were allowed to gather together in social settings.

Seven celebrities attended the party, namely, Shane Pow Xun Ping, 30; Sonia Nicola Chew, 30; Julie Tan Shaoyin, 29, Jeffrey Xu Mingjie, 32; Heng Tee Kok, 45; Dawn Yeoh, 34; and Jeremy Chan Ming Yuew, 29.

The four other participants were sales manager Tan Jun Chuan, 30; marketing managers Debbie Lu Shuyi, 33 and Eleanor Wang Chunwei, 34; and part-time model and actress Valnice Yek Jia Hui, 22.

They were all fined S$300 each for attending the party.

Lim’s lawyer, Josephus Tan of Invictus Law, asked for a fine of  $2,500 for Lim, saying the breach was out of character for him and that it was a “one-off, isolated incident,” Yahoo Singapore reports.

However, the Deputy Public Prosecutor, Mr Norman Yew, wanted Lim to be fined a least $3,000, partly to deter others from breaching the regulations.

DPP Yew is quoted as saying, “His conduct belittles the tremendous efforts and sacrifices of the vast majority, who have, amongst many things, given up the pleasures of social interaction with family and friends for the public good to contain the spread of Covid-19.”

District Judge A Sangeetha set the fine at S$3,000 as urged by DPP Yew.

The judge said: “Tremendous effort and sacrifices have been made by the vast majority of Singapore for the public good to contain the spread of COVID-19. Therefore it is crucial that individuals comply with these measures so that we as country can overcome the pandemic.”

Actor Terence Cao will also be entering a guilty plea for his bigger-than-allowed birthday party when he appears in court on May 25.

The actor had invited Lim, Pow, Xu, Heng and Chan to the party. Lim also invited Lu, Chew, Julie and Wang, who in turn invited Yeoh.

On the night of the gathering, Pow invited Yek to come as well. Both were unaware there would be other guests.

Tan also dropped in later that night, also not knowing there would be guests in Cao’s Daisy Road condominium unit.

Yahoo notes that the guests did not know more than five people would be attending the party.

Xu later posted photos of the party on Instagram Stories, which caught the attention of the public.

/TISG

Read also: Actor Terence Cao to plead guilty to breaking Covid regulations with b-day party last October

Actor Terence Cao to plead guilty to breaking Covid regulations with b-day party last October

TTSH staff still getting shunned by hotels, taxis

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
singapore-woman,-27,-dies-at-ttsh-after-she-was-found-lying-unconscious-at-escalator-lobby

Singapore—Some healthcare staff from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) are being denied service by taxi drivers and even some hotels, according to a report in The Straits Times (ST).

The report cited the experience of one 27-year-old staff nurse who endeavoured to reserve a hotel room for himself in order to minimise contact and exposure with his elderly parents.

The nurse’s parents’ health issues put them at risk, since his father is in recovery from heart bypass surgery and his mother has cancer.

At first, the nurse, Mr Nigel Rankine, sought to avail of temporary lodging through TTSH, which is coordinating with different hotels to get accommodation for its staff members

Since the nurse knew this would take a while, he endeavoured to book a room on his own in one particular hotel, disclosing that he worked at the hospital.

He was told there were no rooms available. According to ST, Mr Rankine surmised that he could not get a room at the hotel because he works at the hospital.

But when a friend of his tried to book a room at the same hotel, the friend got a different answer. 

When questioned by the nurse, the hotel said that it was only accepting staycation bookings for the time being.

Fortunately, TTSH was able to get the nurse a room, something that has given both him and his family peace of mind, he told ST.

While he understands the need to protect people, he minded that the hotel had not been truthful with him.

The nurse told ST, ”I don’t expect people to treat us differently or put us on a pedestal just because we are healthcare workers. But they should at least speak to us like we’re human and not some kind of parasite.”

Another nurse, who also started staying at a hotel this month, said that she was doing so in order to protect others, including her elderly landlord, through minimal contact.

Furthermore, where she lives, she is already being avoided by her neighbours.

After the cluster of infections began at the hospital, the nurse tried to catch a taxi. The driver asked her numerous questions before eventually saying he would not drive her. 

“He asked me a lot of questions, like why I was heading there, when did I get my vaccination, and what was my swab test result. I answered all of his questions but he still rejected me in the end,” the nurse told ST.

This was not the first time it happened. She then decided to no longer wear her TTSH uniform on her commute. 

A doctor from TTSH also said getting a taxi to the hospital has become difficult.

He expressed his disappointment, saying, “My colleagues and I are more than willing to put ourselves at the same risk every day for them and it would be nice to know that others are standing together with us. In times like this, I just wish more people would step up instead of turn the other way.”

The hospital is the site of one of the biggest infection clusters in Singapore, with 46 infections to date and 1,000 staff members in quarantine.

However, the hospital resumed admissions on Tuesday (May 18), saying in a Facebook post: “We are not fully out of woods just yet but we are turning the corner.”

It said it is adding even more measures to ensure the safety of its patients and staff.

/TISG

Read also: Amid reports of landlords shunning TTSH health workers, MOH extends support

Amid reports of landlords shunning TTSH health workers, MOH extends support

Jamus Lim Tackles Traffic Issues in Sengkang for Smoother Rides

By
The Independent
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0
Photo: Facebook/ Jamus Lim

Singapore — Members of Parliament have to keep not only an ear to the ground but also an eye on the road. Associate Professor Jamus Lim and his fellow Workers’ Party MPs at Sengkang GRC have been monitoring the traffic to ensure safe, smooth rides for their residents.

Traffic. Everybody hates it, especially when we’re stuck in it. But it’s also how we get, daily, from A to B (unless…

Posted by Jamus Lim on Monday, 17 May 2021

In a Facebook post on Monday, he said they spend some time investigating issues on the ground when requested by residents before giving their feedback to the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

His fellow MP Gerald Giam, who also represents Aljunied GRC, has been seen on the ground as early as 7am to observe the traffic situation.

Speeding is a matter of concern, especially along long stretches of Anchorvale/Fernvale Street and Sengkang East/West Way.

“So I sympathise with MP Gan Thiam Poh, who has had to contend with the rampant speeding issues on Sengkang West Way, since speedsters naturally continue to do so after the cross the bridge into Sengkang GRC,” wrote Assoc Prof Lim.

Mr Gan is the MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, representing Fernvale which is near Sengkang.

The speeding problem is worsened by drivers who modify their vehicles, which leads to noise disturbances, especially later in the evening.

Assoc Prof Lim hopes that the LTA will consider technological solutions, such as speed cameras, soon.

Another problem is changing road conditions that lead to previously practicable road designs being no longer fit for the purpose, he added.

With the opening of Rivercove Residences, traffic at the junction of Anchorvale Lane and Sengkang East Avenue has recently become much denser. Thus “the existing discretionary right turn is now inviting accidents to happen (and indeed, one did occur already),” wrote Assoc Prof Lim.

“We have been pushing LTA to install a traffic signal there, and I’m happy to see that there are plans for this to occur in the future,” added Prof Lim, appreciative of the actions taken by the authorities.

Denise Teh is an intern at The Independent SG.

/TISG

 

Read also: 

Jamus Lim: Resident shares concerns over migrant professionals crowding out locals – Singapore News 

Resident talks to Jamus Lim about challenges singles face in Singapore 

Resident tells Jamus Lim that higher prices are “too close, too many, can’t breathe” – Singapore News 

India calls for end to violence in Israel, Gaza

By
Hindustan Times
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0
opposition-mps-urge-govt,-international-community-to-act-against-‘apartheid’-israel

India — India has strongly condemned all acts of violence and provocation in the Gaza conflict and called for immediate de-escalation while urging Israel and Palestinian authorities to immediately resume dialogue to find a lasting solution.

T S Tirumurti, India’s ambassador to the UN, outlined the country’s position during an open debate at the UN Security Council early on Monday, saying both sides should show extreme restraint and desist from actions that exacerbate tensions.

India has found itself treading a cautious line as the conflict escalated in recent days, given its strong relations with both Israel and Arab states as well as its traditional support for a two-state solution, which was reiterated by Tirumurti.

“The historic status quo at the holy places of Jerusalem, including Haram al-Sharif or Temple Mount, must be respected, Tirumurti said. Both sides should “refrain from attempts to unilaterally change the existing status quo, including in east Jerusalem and its neighbourhood,” he said.

Netizens call out Ho Ching for sharing post of Chinese beauty queen in Photoshopped Covid gown

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
Facebook screengrab
Singapore—Madam Ho Ching, the wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and chief executive officer of Temasek Holdings, is a prolific poster over Facebook.

One of her many posts on Tuesday morning (May 18) caught the eye of some netizens who are asking her to take it down.

The post in question is an altered photo of an Asian beauty pageant contestant in a light blue gown and wearing a sash that reads “China”.

May be an image of 1 person, standing and sitting

It may or may not be Ms Jiaxin Sun, China’s contender for the Miss Universe pageant held in Florida last weekend.

However, the woman’s dress had been altered so that the design looked like a cluster of Covid-19 molecules—round balls studded with spikes.

This could be read as a reference to the discovery of Covid-19 in Wuhan, China.

Mdm Ho captioned the shared post with a puzzled “Huh?”

The post can no longer be viewed, as the original poster, a netizen from the Philippines, either deleted it or changed its privacy settings.

But some netizens expressed their unhappiness with the post.

One wrote, “Utterly insensitive when people have lost loved ones and medical staff have lost their lives while trying to save others.”

Another commenter asked Mdm Ho to take it down

“Mdm Ho, with all due respect – Come on! This is not funny…. Pls delete this photo. It’s a badly edited photo, surely the Chinese are not that insensitive to make their Ms China wear such an atrocious outfit at a time as this?!

It is exactly this sort of dumb photos and messages that ignite feelings of anger and hate that fans the racism that is going around..

Pls REMOVE and do NOT circulate senseless posts like these. Thank you!”

Other commenters made it clear that they were calling out the original poster, and not Mdm Ho, as the picture had been “So inappropriate and so insensitive.”

Others referred to the spate of anti-Asian crime, especially in the United States, where Asians have been blamed for the spread of the virus.

/TISG

Despite MOM statement, former DJ Jade Rasif still has questions about maid’s Covid case

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
IG screebgrab: Jade Rasif

Singapore—The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) responded to social media posts from former DJ and social media influencer Jade Rasif about her domestic helper, who had to be quarantined after being released from her Stay-Home Notice (SHN).

Ms Rasif had written on her Instagram and Facebook accounts on Monday (May 17) that she and her family hired a new helper from Indonesia some time ago, and paid S$2,500 for her Stay-Home-Hotice (SHN), which was supposed to last for at least two weeks.

To their surprise, the helper was allowed to start working only three days after the SHN started. “No quarantine needed since she was recovered,” Ms Rasif wrote.

But when the helper was swabbed again two weeks later and tested positive for Covid-19, she had to go into quarantine again, which confused Ms Rasif, who added that she could not contact anyone who could answer her questions.

She added that she even asked for a postponement of a court date, as she was unsure if she could make it due to exposure to her helper. 

And then she wrote that she received a phone call from the police telling her she was being investigated for potentially breaching a quarantine order, which she had never received.

Her family then shelled out S$200 each for voluntary Covid tests, which fortunately turned out negative.

But at this point, more infection clusters were being reported in Singapore.

“I literally barricaded myself in my house, and wore an N95 at home, because I DID NOT want to get my ass locked in a windowless hotel room for 3 weeks,” she wrote.

All in all, she still considers that her family was “lucky” because although her helper tested positive, a new cluster was not started by her early release, unlike in other cases.

Ms Rasif wrote that the story has “a happy ending!!! It’s been a month and we have all been vaccinated, covid free, blessed, and highly favoured.”

She also added that she specifically “didn’t mention any government agencies or bodies because I didn’t want this to be political.” 

Shortly afterwards, MOM responded to Ms Rasif’s post.

Although the ministry wrote it was “sorry to hear about the experience of Ms Jade Rasif and her family,” it said that her account “however is inaccurate and we would like to set out the facts.”

The helper, who arrived in Singapore on April 11, had indeed tested negative on her PCR test when she arrived. “She was assessed to be safe and allowed to be discharged from Stay-Home Notice (SHN) on 13 April 2021,” MOM wrote.

But the ministry decided that she needed to be tested again on April 30, due to “the worsening Covid-19 situation and new understanding of the infectiousness of variants of concern in the region”.

Therefore, despite the low risk of the helper getting reinfected, MOM “wanted to be sure.”

While the helper tested positive, “there were indications that this was an old infection and the PCR test could be picking dead viral fragments from the old infection. Further medical clinical assessment was needed to confirm that it was not a reinfection case.”

Since she did not have an active Covid-19 infection, she was therefore not classified as a Covid-19 case. By May 9, when MOM determined that the helper posed no threat to Ms Rasif’s family, she was free to go back.

Ms Rasif thanked MOM for its response but stuck to her guns.

Ms Rasif wrote over social media after MOM responded to her earlier post: “Guys, can you please comment and ask what exactly was inaccurate? This was literally what I said. I think their dates were wrong as well. I have a movement order signed by the director of CDD and the dates do not match.”

She then went on to “provide corrections” on the timeline MOM gave in its response.

But later, she added, “To be honest, admitting a mistake was made is not an easy thing to do.”

“It was never my intention to point the finger, and I never ever mentioned ANY government agency in my original post,” she wrote.

On an Instagram story, she wrote, “2021: women keep receipts.”

 

/TISG

Read also: DJ-turned-frontline worker Jade Rasif gets Covid vaccine, posts about procedure

DJ-turned-frontline worker Jade Rasif gets Covid vaccine, posts about procedure

Vaping could augment the risk of developing asthma

By
malaymail
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0
vaping-could-augment-the-risk-of-developing-asthma

NEW YORK — Teenagers and young adults using an electronic cigarette are at a higher risk of developing asthma and asthma attacks according to an American study.

Vaping may significantly increase the risk of developing asthma. While e-cigarettes are often presented as less harmful than smoking the classic versions, they are still bad for your health.

Already criticised for harmful effects on respiratory outcomes, e-cigarettes could multiply the risk of developing asthma and asthma attacks.

A study by researchers from the American Thoracic Society, has linked adolescents and young adults’ vaping habits with the development of asthma.

The scientists used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), conducted between 2015 and 2016.

The study was based on 17,190 participants, aged 12 years or older, who took part in the CCHS. Of these, only 3.1 per cent reported using an e-cigarette in the past 30 days.

For the vapers, the researchers noted a 19 per cent increased risk of suffering from asthma, while current and former smokers had 20 per cent and 33 per cent increased risks respectively.

Finally, individuals who had never smoked or used electronic cigarettes had no significant association with increased asthma risk.

Stress and anxiety are factors in using e-cigs

Fifteen per cent of those who used e-cigarettes said they rated their mental health as “fair” or “poor” compared to 7 per cent of the people not using electronic cigarettes.

The researchers noted that they had a 60 per cent chance of experiencing high stress, compared to non-vapers.

“While vaping may not cause stress, it appears that vape cravings may be triggered by stress and anxiety, making it harder for the e-cigarette user to quit,” explained Dr Teresa To in a press release.

“Our findings suggest that e-cigarette use is a modifiable risk factor for asthma to be considered in the primary care of youth and young adults,” she added. – ETX Studio

Fire at Sembawang wet market

By
The Independent
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0
Photo: FB screengrab/ Ong Ye Kung

Singapore – A fire started at Sembawang Mart including the Lucky Mart wet market at 12.45 am on Monday (May 17).

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received the fire alert at 511 Canberra Road from Madam Sery Rahim.

The 38-year-old baker was passing by the wet market when she noticed a “bright, orange” glow, reported The New Paper.

She also live-streamed the incident on Facebook.

Madam Sery shared that it was the first time she had witnessed such an “uncommon and scary” fire since settling down in Sembawang more than 21 years ago.

SCDF had to use three water jets to put out the flames. No injuries were reported, said an SCDF spokesman.

Photo: FB screengrab/ Ong Ye Kung

A spokesperson for the shopping centre announced that 20 stalls in the wet market would be closed for investigation until further notice.

Meanwhile, other stores in Sembawang Mart above the wet market could operate as usual, he added.

“As a business owner myself, I could feel the pain (of the affected stall owners). I hope their losses can be covered by insurance,” Madam Sery said.

Health Minister and Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC Ong Ye Kung complimented the residents on calling the SCDF and its “swift action in extinguishing the fire”.

The minister also agreed to “work with the HDB” to help rebuild the wet market and assist all affected stallholders.

Phuong Le Ha is an intern at The Independent SG/TISG

Elderly man attacked by otter along Kallang River, warns others of potential danger

By
The Independent
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0
Photo Credit: Otterwatch

Singapore – For one man, what started as a typical exercise session along Upper Boon Keng Road with friends became a painful encounter with a wild animal.

On May 13, a 77-year-old man was exercising near Kallang River when around 20 otters emerged, reported the Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News.

Upon seeing the otters, the man was glued on the spot. “I seldom saw them all out in a group, so I stood still and waited for them to leave,” he noted.

However, one of the adult otters went up to him and bit his left calf, causing him to cry out in pain, reported Shin Min.

“My friends were quite a distance away and couldn’t come to my aid in time,” said the man.

After the incident, he went home, where his wife helped disinfect the wounds and stop the bleeding.

The man also went to a doctor the same afternoon and spent about S$90 on medication.

He added that he exercised every morning over the 10 years he had been living in the area.

“The otters started appearing about two to three years ago and used to move around in smaller groups of three or four.”

However, the wild animals started appearing in larger groups over the last year, and they’re physically bigger, the man said.

He hopes that the authorities would be alerted to the issue and other residents warned of the potential danger.

The National Parks Board (NParks) has released an advisory on what to do when encountering otters.

One should not touch, chase or corner the wild creatures. “Observe them from a distance. Going too close to the otters may frighten them.”

One should not use flash photography and talk loudly when near otters as noise and light may scare or provoke them.

The public is advised not to feed the others as they have their own food in the environment, and their natural eating habits keep the ecosystem healthy, said NParks./TISG

Read related: Video of man petting wild boar goes viral

Video of man petting wild boar goes viral

Beware of fake news on Covid: US surgeon general Vivek Murthy

By
Hindustan Times
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0
beware-of-fake-news-on-covid:-us-surgeon-general-vivek-murthy

India — US surgeon general Vivek Murthy has some advice for Indian-Americans and Indians as they deal with the devastating second wave of Covid-19 cases and wait for that dreaded phone call – watch out for misinformation in what you read, say or forward on social media platforms.

“Misinformation is a virus itself, and it harms people, and it sometimes compels them to take actions that puts put them and other people at risk,” Murthy said in a virtual outreach to Indian-Americans on the dangers of misinformation as India battles its worst public health crisis.

“In a pandemic, when you’re responding, information is power and if you can get the right information to people, they can take steps to protect themselves,” Murthy said, adding that the government and the private sector can make all the vaccine and masks they want, but “they will be of no value if people don’t want to use them because of misinformation”.

The US and India have been hit hardest by Covid-19, with cases and deaths highest and second highest in the world, respectively. Murthy’s remarks were the first by a top US health official, who addressed the damage inflicted by misinformation on the response, especially by Americans, to the tragedy unfolding in India.

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