I’m very surprised at how SO many Singaporeans are blinded and misinformed.. About how it is safer to remain in Singapore than to travel overseas, in particular, Bangkok Thailand during this Covid-19 epidemic.
I’m currently in Bangkok and I can confidently tell you that I have never felt more safe. The government of Thailand and its people seem so much more well prepared and educated than my own country.
I’m always a firm believer of preventive actions rather than corrective actions. No doubt, Singapore have the best healthcare facilities in the region and won praise by many for the protocol in place during such epidemic. But it is seriously lacking in the preventive department. If you have GOOD preventive plans, you do not need to worry too much about your corrective plans. Am I right?
Over here in Bangkok, I was very surprised the moment I step out of the plane. There were hand sanitizers at every corner, every toilet entrance, every counter of the immigration. But In our own country? We have to resort to buying “black market” sanitizers from Carousel or “stealing” from the Boeing airshow counter. Ask yourself why? Is it really due to selfish hoarders?
Stepping into the heart of Bangkok, at EVERY entrance of a mall, hotel or any place where there are large congregation of people, there is a temperature checkpoint with hand sanitizers easily available for every human being. At some upscale malls, there is even someone helping you to dispense the sanitizers without you even touching anything. Even the small Unknown malls has it!
How about in the outskirts of Thailand? That’s even more amazing. I went to Kanchanaburi for the death railway experience. Before we step into the old school train in their old school station, the station master and his assistant went around handing out free face mask and dispensing hand sanitizers to EVERY SINGLE PASSENGER! I looked to my wife in disbelief! In SG, we had to buy face mask at almost $1/piece and we had to use it sparingly or not at all. Because our rulers kept broadcasting to only use mask when you are sick. It’s like being propagated as an offence to wear if you are well. What is this? Why do we even need to be told when we choose to protect ourselves? Shall we report when we pass motion whether we close the lid or not? Since now it’s being suspected that the virus can be spread by aerosol effects.
So what if you have the best healthcare? So what if you have the best recovery rate? So what if you give $100 per day compensation? Why do you need all these if you could have prevented it from even spreading in the first place.
Please do not act like we are a “shit hot” nation and that we are the best at everything in the region. Because sadly we are definitely not. Being reactive is definitely planning to fail In such epidemic. And I’m worried for myself and everyone around me.
So my fellow friends and singaporeans.. You think you are safe in SG? Yes, perhaps if you only lock yourself at home, with your 1 year supply of Maggie mee and can food.