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Sanders claims lead as Iowa White House vote turns to fiasco

By
AFP
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0
YouTube screengrab, Bernie Sanders

By Elodie Cuzin

Iowa’s vote kick-starting the 2020 US presidential contest degenerated into a fiasco marred by major delays on Monday, with Bernie Sanders claiming a slim lead in the Democratic caucus citing partial unofficial results.

Figures released by the leftist senator’s campaign, five hours after the caucuses opened across Iowa, showed Pete Buttigieg in second spot, a strong showing for the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana who was a national unknown just one year ago.

“Iowa you have shocked the nation,” the 38-year-old gay military reservist told loudly cheering supporters in what sounded very much like a victory speech. “Because tonight, an improbable hope became an undeniable reality.”

With chaos on the ground as Democratic party officials reportedly told campaigns not to expect results before sometime Tuesday, Sanders, running as a democratic socialist, took to the microphones to proclaim he had “a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa.”

“Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump,” said the 78-year-old.

Iowa is a closely-watched test in the months-long process to determine who will face the Republican president in November.

Sanders later took the bold step of releasing internal, unpublished results from nearly 40 percent of precincts, showing him with 28.62 percent of the state delegate equivalent, the all-important figure used to determine who wins the Iowa caucuses.

Buttigieg earned 25.71 percent, followed by progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren on 18.42 percent, the data indicated.

Former vice president Joe Biden, the national frontrunner, was in fourth spot, at 15.08 percent, a disappointing showing for the candidate who has consistently claimed he is the person best positioned to take on and defeat Trump.

– ‘Feeling good’ –
The Warren campaign pushed back at Sanders move, with her chief strategist Joe Rospars, tweeting: “Any campaign saying they won or putting out incomplete numbers is contributing to the chaos and misinformation.”

But as the waiting dragged on, with zero results reported, other candidates also made claims to have beaten expectations.

“I’m feeling good,” Biden said before Sanders released the internals. “So it’s on to New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, well beyond. We’re in this for the long haul.”

New Hampshire votes second, on February 11, and tradition dictates that the top performers in Iowa board jets and race to The Granite State to capitalize on the momentum.

With the results in limbo, Senator Amy Klobuchar, from the neighboring Midwestern state of Minnesota, insisted “we are punching above our weight.”

Sanders’s data shows Klobuchar in fifth, at 10.93 percent.

– ‘Meltdown’ –
The Iowa embarrassment is particularly bad timing, as US officials are under pressure to demonstrate the integrity of the voting system following 2016, when Russia stood accused of interfering in the presidential election in an effort to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

In a statement read on US networks, Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa Democratic Party, said further checks were ordered after “inconsistencies” were found in the reporting of three sets of results.

“This is simply a reporting issue,” she said, denying there was “a hack or an intrusion.”

Biden’s campaign counsel Dana Remus wrote a stern letter to Iowa Democratic Party chair Troy Price complaining of the “considerable flaws” of the night’s caucus.

“We believe that the campaigns deserve full explanations and relevant information regarding the methods of quality control you are employing, and an opportunity to respond, before any official results are released.”

Republicans meanwhile rushed to suggest either incompetence or foul play by the Democratic leadership.

“Democrat party meltdown,” Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a stinging tweet.

“They can’t even run a caucus and they want to run the government. No thank you.”

Trump — who has been weighed down by an impeachment process expected to end with his acquittal on Wednesday — is almost certain to mention the chaos on Tuesday night when he address Congress and the nation during his annual State of the Union speech.

Unlike secret ballot voting, Iowa caucus-goers publicly declare their choice by standing together with other supporters of a candidate. Candidates who reach 15 percent support earn delegates for the nomination race while supporters of candidates who fall short can shift to others.

It appeared the delays may have been exacerbated by new rules that the Democratic Party instituted after the 2016 election that now require caucuses to report three sets of numerical data throughout the process, rather than one set previously.

Held across nearly 1,700 sites, the Iowa vote offers a critical early look at the viability of the 11 Democrats still in the race — even though just 41 delegates are up for grabs, a fraction of the 1,991 needed to secure the nomination in July.

mlm/ec

© Agence France-Presse

/AFP

HIV drugs touted as weapon in war on coronavirus

By
AFP
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0
Photo: For illustration purposes only - (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)

As doctors scramble to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus, a potent brew of anti-retroviral and flu drugs has emerged as a possible defence against the mysterious sickness that has killed hundreds.

But the science is inconclusive on whether they are actually effective and experts say successful treatment could take years.

Here is what we know — and don’t know — about the drugs deployed against the SARS-like virus.

– Why anti-retrovirals? – Patients diagnosed with the common flu are often prescribed an antiviral drug widely known as Tamiflu.

But the seasonal flu is “very different from the Chinese coronavirus”, said Sylvie van der Werf at the Paris-based Pasteur Institute.

So far, the new coronavirus has infected tens of thousands worldwide and killed more than 420 people mostly in mainland China.

Two weeks ago Chinese doctors confirmed they had been giving anti-HIV drugs to coronavirus patients in Beijing, based on a 2004 study during the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, that showed “favourable” responses.

Used together, lopinavir and ritonavir decrease the amount of HIV cells in a patient’s blood, stripping back the virus’s ability to reproduce and attack the immune system.

Doctors have also combined the treatment with another anti-flu drug called oseltamivir, hoping the creative cocktail can sap the new coronavirus of its strength.

In Thailand, where there are 19 confirmed cases, a 71-year-old Chinese patient returned a negative test within 48 hours of being given the three drugs.

But Thai doctors cautioned the medicine needed to be given under supervision due to possible side effects or it clashing with pre-existing medications.

– Does it actually work? – In short, we don’t know for sure.

The 2004 study showed anti-retrovirals used on patients with SARS had “substantial clinical benefits”, experts in China said.

But random trials on 41 coronavirus patients had “limitations”, according to the research, which was published in medical journal The Lancet on January 24.

The researchers were not able to obtain complete samples from the patients’ lower respiratory tract — which is suspected to be the target site of the new coronavirus — and there were not enough patients to verify results.

“Further studies in outpatient, primary care, or community settings are needed to get a full picture,” they wrote.

– What’s big pharma doing? –Biotech firms are working on a suite of treatment options.

California-based Gilead Sciences said they are working with Chinese authorities on clinical trials to determine if remdesivir — a drug used to treat SARS — is effective against the new coronavirus.

Meanwhile three teams around the world — in China, Australia and the Pasteur Institute in France — have now succeeded in cultivating the new coronavirus in the laboratory.

That could lead to pinpointing its “Achilles’ heel” by understanding how it replicates in cells, said Christophe d’Enfert, the institute’s scientific director.

But as of now there is no specific treatment against it, World Health Organization spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said.

“More investigations and analysis of the epidemiological data is still required,” he told AFP.

– So what should you do? – The best approach for the general public is to try and “stay healthy” so your immune system can offer a robust response to the threat of the virus, said Singapore’s health minister Gan Kim Yong.

But for already infected patients, hospitals must provide supportive care to prevent complications.

“Chances are if you already have underlying medical conditions… your defences are weak and your organs may already be impaired, and therefore the risk of death is higher,” he told parliament Monday.

Developing a successful solution may take months or years, he added.

– Home remedies and quackery – But misinformation has proliferated online about home and traditional remedies.

A liquid made with honeysuckle and flowering plants used in traditional medicine was initially claimed to “inhibit” the virus, sparking frenzied buying in China.

But Chinese state media later sounded a more cautionary note, as researchers warned of potential side effects from the medicine.

In India, where there are three reported confirmed cases, the government has touted ancient homeopathy and Ayurveda remedies as the answer.

The jury is out on the effectiveness, and doctors still recommended that patients be treated in a hospital.

Online posts erroneously identified saline — basic salt water — as a coronavirus killer in Australia, while in Thailand social media touted that an antiseptic should be sprayed in a person’s mouth.

The antiseptic company Betadine has refuted the claim.

burs-dhc/joe/axn

© Agence France-Presse

/AFP

Wuhan virus: Singapore has first four cases of local transmission

By
Obbana Rajah
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0
(Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)

Singapore has recorded its first cases of local coronavirus transmission, with four women here infected who had not travelled to Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak.

All four cases are related to a Chinese health products shop.

Two of the women work in the shop, which is in Cavan Road, off Lavender Street. It is said to be patronised mainly by Chinese tour groups.

The third is a domestic helper of one of the women, while the fourth is a tour guide who had taken groups to the shop.

Singapore’s confirmed cases of those infected by the coronavirus are now up by six, to  total 24.

Along with the four women who contracted the coronavirus, another two confirmed cases were announced on Tuesday (Feb 4).

The two were among a group of 92 people flown back to Singapore from Wuhan on a Scoot flight last Thursday. Before this, another two on the same flight had been reported as confirmed cases.

One of the confirmed cases (the seventh), a 35-year-old Wuhan resident, has recovered and has tested negative for the virus. He was discharged from the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) on Tuesday.

At a press conference on Tuesday (Feb 4), the Health Ministry referred to the new cases as “limited local transmission”.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong added that “there is, however, no widespread evidence of widespread community transmission”.

He said that, should broader community spread occur, Singapore will consider additional measures to reduce human-to-human interaction, such as cancelling mass gatherings, suspending schools, and paring down non-essential care services, to slow the spread of disease.

Mr Gan added that the country has been preparing for such clusters, and measures implemented so far have been directed towards preventing and containing the risk of spread beyond such local clusters.

While the ministry expects more local clusters, it has also started contact tracing so as to ringfence the cluster and limit further spread.

“This is a scenario which we are prepared for,” Mr Gan said, adding that, “as the situation evolves we will step up our posture accordingly to further contain the situation in Singapore”. /TISG

MPs called out for using phones in Parliament

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
FB screengrab: Parliament of Singapore

Singapore—Members of Parliament are getting called out on social media for using their mobile phones during Parliamentary sessions.

On Tuesday (Feb 4) comments were seen on social media saying that the country’s MPs must have been bored during the previous day’s session, as a number of them were seen using their phones even during proceedings.

Opposition leader Lim Tean, founder of the People’s Voice party, posted the following on his Facebook page.

“We Need Dedicated MPs!

PAP MPs are obviously bored with parliamentary proceedings. They should be replaced at the next GE with Opposition MPs.

It is outrageous that according to Bertha, half of them are on their electronic devices at any one time! And it is shocking that the Speaker is content to allow this to happen!

I don’t see MPs in the British House of Commons or the Australian Parliament being similarly distracted.

Parliament is not a Tea Party! For those who are not interested in the Nation’s business, they should not even have a seat in that Chamber!”

Mr Lim had shared a post by journalist Bertha Henson, who had been present in the previous day’s session. Ms Henson had written that every time she goes to Parliament, it angers her that at any given time, half of the MPs present are fiddling on their devices.

She added that this practice had lessened somewhat when she complained before but it seems that now MPs have returned to  “checking emails or looking at FB.”

Netizens seem to be in agreement with Mr Lim that using phones in Parliament signifies a lack of respect. One person Teh Garett commented “They have No respect on (sic) parliament… We know it is just basic respect on any speakers not to use phones when they talk. Even I stopped playing online mahjong on phone during my townhall whenever someone speaks on stage. It is basic courtesy and respect no matter how boring the topic is. These PAP MPs do not have courtesy and respect for the speakers?”

Others were concerned that it might be a bad influence on young people. Heng Pang wrote “When parliamentarians has no disciplines, (sic) how are schools going to tell their students to put their mobile phones away when lessons are going on. These politicians, are they not parents of growing up children? Don’t they teach their children no phones or iPad while having meals?”

Yet another said that it showed a lack of care for their constituents. “With representatives like that in Parliament, just imagine them doing their job for the constituents. Do they really care or just for show,” wrote John Tan.

And yet, the MPs had netizens defending them as well.
Facebook page Shut Down TRS (the Rubbish Sites) responded to the call-out, writing, “MPs, Ministers using electronic devices in Parliament means they aren’t working?
Even WP MPs uses these electronic devices.
They used it to read soft copies of parliament questions, or speeches which are made available to them before the parliament session. They might be even doing research for any on-going debates.
So what the hell is Lim Team and Bertha Hanson complaining about?”

Other people also posted that it’s possible that MPs, who have busy lives, are multitasking during sessions.

Netizen Tony Keng Hong Tan wrote, “I am not siding the ruling Party or even WP MPs. I think we should not ASS-ume things we dont know.. even check on email, follow-up documents… their ear can still heard MP or minister speak. also let (sic) be fair how many of you also do that during meeting you attend? sometime when we talk on others, reflect ownself (sic) first.”

  

-/TISG

 

Netizens question why identities of peeping toms are protected but govt has to disclose complainant’s personal info

By
Obbana Rajah
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0
Photo: YouTube screengrab, Janil Puthucheary

A backlash from netizens ensued after Senior Minister of State for Communications & Information Janil Puthucheary announced in Parliament on Monday (Feb 3) that government agencies have to sometimes disclose personal information of those who complain publicly.

Mr Puthucheary noted that this applies especially when a complainant has called public attention to an incident. He added that this was to correct inaccuracies and provide an accurate picture of what occurred, so as to maintain public trust and to serve all citizens effectively”.

Mr Puthucheary was responding to questions asked by Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Walter Theseira, who asked what considerations government agencies factor in before deciding to reveal personal information about people who make public complaints.

Theseira also asked if there are any safeguards to ensure that only a minimum amount of personal information is revealed to establish the facts of the case.

The answer was that personal information is revealed if the agencies’ clarification may be disputable or not clear enough without it. Also, personal information is only disclosed if it is specific enough to provide a full picture and allow the person who made the complaint to challenge the government’s account of the case, if necessary. Mr Puthucheary also added that care is taken not to disclose personal information that is not relevant to the case.

Netizens did not take well to the government’s line of reasoning as they felt that the point of exposing this information was to “shame him/her”.

Others also said that “the reply only consider (sic) the issue from the authority’s pov (sic) instead of the citizen’s concern and his welfare”. They added that “It might set a bad precedence in future whereby real grievances or concerns about public policies are not brought up in the public domain promptly due to fear”.

Another netizen pointed out that the identities of peeping toms were protected, while the personal information of complainants may be made public.

  

/TISG

Free masks and hand sanitizer in Punggol lift provided by civic minded residents

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
Facebook screengrab: Collike

Singapore—Amid the fear and panic felt by many as the numbers of those affected by the Wuhan coronavirus continues to climb, it’s refreshing to see that some people are choosing kindness and generosity as one way to fight the disease.

And the best thing is that this kindness has actually spread from one person to another. One act of kindness inspires others to follow suit.

In a flat in Punggol, one person started the ball of kindness rolling by putting a bottle of hand sanitizer and some masks in the lift. After this unexpected blessing, and even in the midst of a shortage of supply of masks, complete with long queues and surging prices, other residents of 267B Punggol Field simply continued to “pay it forward.”

Photos posted on the Facebook page Collike on Monday (Feb 3) show hygiene supplies such as hand sanitizer, N95 and surgical masks, alcohol swabs, children’s masks, and the like affixed to the walls and railings of the lift. Accompanying them were signs such as “Press Me. Use what you need,” (on the hand sanitizer), “Wear Me. Pls take ONE  if you need (on the surgical masks), and “Use in highly contagious places” (for the N95 masks).

Some of the items say who the donor is from, but most are anonymous.

The netizen who posted on Collike wrote, “This is a house full of human feelings. Wuhan virus is dying! Neighbourhood Love should be spread throughout Singapore.”

He or she also wrote that they hoped that “Singapore Kindness can spread faster than the Wuhan virus.”

Other netizens have lauded the heartwarming kindness demonstrated by the residents, with one woman writing, “Punggol has kind neighbors everywhere.”

Another echoed this by showing a similar photo from 665C Punggol Drive.

And it seems that kindness is not in short supply in Singapore. One photo that someone  shared showed that they would start distributing 4-layer surgical masks for free to the elderly starting from February 3 (Monday).

Many called it a triumph of the kampung spirit.

At least one individual seemed to be inspired to do likewise in the lift in his building.

On the kindness shown in 267B Punggol Field, one netizen wrote, “There are always more good people than bad ones to make this a wonderful world for all.”

Others praised the initiative as it would be a big help for those who have a hard time getting hygiene supplies.

One comment expressed the wish that all Singaporeans would behave this way, “instead of being kiasi and kiasu.”

However, some netizens have been cynical, wondering how long this kind of kindness initiative will last.

But most of the comments have been appreciative of the Punggol residents responsible for the free supplies.

It started off with someone in the blk of 267b punggol field, placing a bottle of hand sanitizer and masks in the lift….

Posted by Collike on Sunday, February 2, 2020

Read related: Morning brief: Wuhan coronavirus updates for Feb 4, 2020

Morning brief: Wuhan coronavirus updates for Feb 4, 2020

Calvin Cheng: Are we living in alternate realities?

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
Photo: Calvin Cheng

Singapore—Former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Calvin Cheng has been vocal on social media concerning the recent Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, specifically on travel restrictions in Singapore.

Most recently, Mr Cheng weighed in concerning face masks, noting a seeming disconnect between what he’s seen on the streets and online. He writes that he hardly sees anyone wearing masks on the streets, but much noise has been made online that there is a shortage of surgical and other masks, which people have used to prevent getting sick. On the other hand, there seem to be no lines forming when the government gives away surgical masks for free.

This has caused the former NMP to write, “Are we living in alternate realities??”

Here is his post, written on Monday, February 3, in full.

“When I walk around town I don’t see many people wearing masks.

When the government gives out free masks, there are no queues.

Yet online everyone seems to be panicking and angry that there is a shortage.

Can someone explain to me what’s happening ?

Are we living in alternate realities ??

????”

Netizens had a whole slew of answers to Mr Cheng’s questions regarding the seeming disconnect between reality and what is online.

One person posted that a lot of what is seen online is meant to portray the government in a bad light. Ramesh Subbaraman wrote, “The online forum seeks to create a fuss to put the government and whatever it wishes to do for the people in bad light. So when I queue and don’t get a mask then the government messed up the distribution. When i get the mask delivered on a silver plate nearest to my doorstep i take my own sweet time or just don’t bother. That’s the game plan Calvin.”

But other netizens were quick to argue that there may be some reason to be upset—”when there was thick haze 3M N95 masks were given out, but now, there really is a Wuhan flu virus and you asked us to queue for 4 blue colour surgical masks but there is no need to wear if you are not sick?” reads a post by the name Must Tanks Gui Rider.

However, others agreed with Mr Ramesh’s point concerning negativity online.

Others speculated that perhaps the government’s allocation of four masks per family is simply too small a number to bother collecting.

Some simply said that maybe the turnout out for collecting the masks was low because  people are heeding the advice to wear masks only when one is actually sick.

  

Others say they believe that since there has been no community spread yet, people feel there is no need to wear the mask.

And finally, one netizen pointed out the fallacy in Mr Cheng’s premise that very few people collected the masks over the weekend.

Jason Chua Chin Seng wrote, “U CANNOT say only 6% bothered to collect over the weekend. Collection is phased & in batches. Not all allocated slot (sic) to collect over weekend. My block starts today. Over 10 days, abt (sic) 20% of household are scheduled to collect over weekend.”

To which Mr Cheng graciously replied,  “thanks buddy. Corrected.”

Read related: Gov’t to distribute 4 masks to every household in Singapore starting Feb 1

Gov’t to distribute 4 masks to every household in Singapore starting Feb 1

Hong Kong reports first death from the Wuhan virus

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
Facebook screengrab: Aristegui Noticias

Hong Kong — The first death in Hong Kong from the Wuhan virus occurred on Tuesday morning (Feb 4).

The 39-year-old man had gone to Wuhan, where the outbreak originated, on Jan 21 and returned to Hong Kong two days later.

The fatality was the 13th confirmed Wuhan virus case in the territory. There are now 15 confirmed cases there.

On his visit to Wuhan, the man did not go to a wet market or a medical facility. He experienced muscle pain on Jan 29, six days after returning to Hong Kong, and started running a fever on Jan 31.

The Hong Kong Free Press reported that the man lived in the city’s Whampoa Garden’s Phase 11 Block 1. He initially received medical treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei, and then was transferred to the Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung.

The man was a long-term diabetic, according to the Ming Pao newspaper. He was reported to have died on Tuesday morning of sudden heart failure.

The man’s death coincided with a strike by 2,500 of Hong Kong’s medical workers for a complete ban on travellers from the mainland in order to limit the spread of the Wuhan virus.

The medical workers are concerned that an epidemic of patients ill with the virus would overwhelm Hong Kong’s hospital system.

Ms Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive, announced on Monday (Feb 3) that only two land border crossings to the mainland would remain open in efforts to stop the spread of the virus. But she said that closing the whole border would be “discriminatory” and “inappropriate and impractical”.

There are now 20,438 confirmed cases of the Wuhan virus in China, as well as 426 deaths. This means that the total number of deaths have exceeded those of the Sars epidemic in 2003.

The first fatality outside China was reported in the Philippines on Sunday (Feb 2). A 44-year-old man from Wuhan who had been in the country since Jan 21 died of severe pneumonia only a day after he tested positive for the virus.

Adding the death in the Philippines, the global death toll now stands at 427.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus epidemic in China a global health emergency last Thursday (Jan 30). More than 20 countries and territories have confirmed cases of the virus.

Singapore has 18 confirmed cases but no new ones have been reported since Saturday (Feb 1). /TISG

Read also: The Philippines reports first death from Wuhan coronavirus outside China

The Philippines reports first death from Wuhan coronavirus outside China

 

Netizens skeptical about 14-day quarantine for 30,000 workers

By
Beatrice Del Rosario
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0
Photo: from Facebook public photos / Reuters India

The workers, who would be required to go on a 14-day leave of absence when they return to Singapore, make up less than 1 per cent of the work force here, said Mrs Teo.

Posted by The Straits Times on Sunday, February 2, 2020

According to straitstimes.com, on Sunday (Feb 2), Manpower Minister Josephine Teo on Sunday said that there are around 30,000 Chinese nationals with work passes who have not yet returned to Singapore after leaving for China during the Chinese New Year holiday.

Given the newly implemented 14-day mandatory leave of absence for people with a recent travel history to China, put in place by the Government as a counter-measure to the Wuhan virus outbreak, Mrs. Teo advised Singaporeans not to make the mandatory leave any harder for those required to take it. Reminding people that ostracism is unnecessary as those taking the leave are “by and large…not unwell,” she reminded people that “The reason we have introduced this leave of absence requirement is to take extra precautions, and this is to minimise social contact. But we must be mindful that as we take these precautions we must be supportive of the people who are affected,” she said.

This recent effort to prevent the spread of the virus within Singapore by mandating all people with a travel history to mainland China within the past 14 days to take a 2-week leave of absence from work as a quarantine measure has elicited a mix of responses from both Government figures and the public.

On Sunday (February 2), Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing drew from Singapore’s previous experience with the deadly SARS outbreak. “During the worst of the SARS crisis the best of Singaporeans came through; we took care of each other, sent meals to those under quarantine, shared our supplies and medical resources – that’s how we overcame the crisis together,” he said, at a time when reports of ostracising behavior had made it to the news.

However, despite these reminders and the call to kindness and solidarity, many netizens still express their scepticism towards this as they feel that the quarantine measure is not enough.

Many netizens took to social media and expressed their concern over how implementing a leave of absence would help solve anything–especially if those quarantined are free to roam and do whatever they want. Concern over this measure not being effective in actuality came up a lot in the comments section of a Facebook post by The Straits Times.
Photo: screengrab from Facebook

However, though most comments were skeptical about the precautionary measure, some were a bit more supportive of the effort.

Despite the different reactions, the 14-day mandatory leave for people who have had a history of traveling to mainland China in the past two weeks is still being implemented.

 

‘Kampung’ spirit shines through amidst coronavirus outbreak as residents in Punggol share masks and medical supplies

By
Miren Gonzalez
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0
Photos: Neighbours shared hand sanitiser, surgical masks and alcohol swabs amidst Wuhan coronavirus outbreak/Collike Facebook

SINGAPORE — In the midst of mounting global distress, loss and panic brought about by the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, the kampung spirit still lives on in Singapore.

A good Samaritan in the Punggol area left a bottle of hand sanitiser and a few masks in the elevator of the residential block and unknowingly started a chain of compassion and good deeds. This simple action encouraged others to pay it forward as well—people donated different types of masks, alcohol swabs and other medical supplies to those who might need them.

On Monday (Feb 3), someone posted a wonderful display of human kindness on Facebook:

It started off with someone in the blk of 267b punggol field, placing a bottle of hand sanitizer and masks in the lift….

Posted by Collike on Sunday, February 2, 2020

Masks and medial supplies have been in short supply in Singapore, thanks to the demand and the panic brought about by the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak. While the government announced on Thursday (Jan 30) that each household would be given four masks, that is not nearly enough to cover everyone.

Neighbours in Block 267B Punggol Field are working together to combat the spread of the virus—and it all started with one good deed. Someone left some hand sanitiser and a few masks in the elevator for others to use.

Photo: A good Samaritan left hand sanitiser and a few face masks in the elevator of a residential block/Collike Facebook

“Press me. Use what you need,” read the note above the hand sanitiser.

Photo: Collike Facebook

“Wear me. Please take one if you need,” read the note that accompanied the face masks.

This one act of kindness sparked a wave of compassion, causing others to pay it forward as well. Spurred on, other neighbours began leaving surgical masks, alcohol swabs and other medical supplies in the elevator for anyone to take.

Photo: Surgical masks with a note—”Use in highly contagious places.”/Collike Facebook
Photo: Alcohol swabs/Collike Facebook
Photo: Face masks/Collike Facebook

In the Facebook post, two screen shots from the neighbours’ chat were also shared with the public:

Photo: Collike Facebook
Photo: Collike Facebook

Amidst messages of gratitude toward each other, one neighbour posted this:

“Hope everyone can continue the paying it forward movement. Take what you need and hope you can also contribute back what you have extra to the pool for others.”

The pay it forward initiative has inspired others to perform acts of kindness as well. Netizens who responded to the post on Facebook shared their thoughts on the matter:

“I miss the kampong spirit! Well done to start it!“commented one user.
“Great job guys! It’ll really help those who can’t get Masks and hand sanitisers,” said another.
“Wows. I’m so touched. Such simple heart warming gesture! Heroes do exist,” wrote one netizen.
“Very heartwarming n brought a smile to my face! Kudos to all those generous people,” was one comment.
“Who says we have lost our kampong spirit!” proclaimed a user proudly.
In the midst of the Wuhan coronavirus crisis, the kampung spirit shines through in the caring actions of Singaporean citizens. /TISG
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