2019-nCoV
Here’s Why The WHO Says A Coronavirus Vaccine Is 18 Months Away
The World Health Organisation said this week it may be 18 months before a vaccine against the coronavirus is publicly available. Let’s explore why, even with global efforts, it might take this long. China shared publicly the full RNA sequence of the virus – now known as SARS-CoV-2 rather than COVID-19, which refers to the …
We’re In Danger Of Drowning In A Coronavirus ‘Infodemic’. Here’s How We Can Cut Through The Noise
The novel coronavirus that has so far killed more than 1,100 people now has a name – COVID-19. The World Health Organisation (WHO) didn’t want the name to refer to a place, animal or certain group of people and needed something pronounceable and related to the disease. “Having a name matters to prevent the use …
7 Dangerous Myths About Coronavirus Busted By The World Health Organization
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is definitely a valid source of concern. However, there are a lot of false truths that are going around that should not be believed in. Such falsehoods may exacerbate the panic that is already very much present. These can also teach practices that may put people at a higher risk …
As China Suffers From Coronavirus, Some Wonder: Is It Really That Serious?
The coronavirus outbreak continues to worsen in China. The Chinese government has announced even stricter measures to stop the spread of the disease, including the rounding up of people in Wuhan, the city where the outbreak began, for mass quarantine. And the doctor who warned authorities about the disease has died. Just how bad might …
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Dedicates Additional Funding To The Novel Coronavirus Response
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it will immediately commit up to $100 million for the global response to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The funding will help strengthen detection, isolation and treatment efforts; protect at-risk populations; and develop vaccines, treatments and diagnostics. The new funding is inclusive of $10 million the foundation …
Safeguarding The Health Of Taxi And Private Hire Car Drivers And Passengers
In response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) situation, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been working with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Point-to-Point (P2P) operators, the National Taxi Association (NTA) and the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) on precautionary measures for the P2P sector. These measures serve to safeguard the health of taxi …
MAS Advises Financial Institutions To Adopt Recommended Measures For DORSCON Orange
Following the raising of the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) Alert Level from Yellow to Orange, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issued an advisory on 7 February 2020 for financial institutions in Singapore to adopt additional measures and precautions. This is the third advisory to financial institutions since January 2020. MAS’ advisory of …
PM Lee Hsien Loong on the Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) Situation in Singapore on 8 February 2020
PM Lee Hsien Loong’s remarks in English, Chinese and Malay, on the Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) Situation in Singapore, delivered on 8 February 2020. Click here for PM Lee Hsien Loong’s remarks in Chinese, and here for PM Lee’s remarks in Malay, or scroll down. We have faced the new coronavirus (nCoV) situation for about two weeks …
Combating Medical Misinformation And Disinformation Amid Coronavirus Outbreak In Southeast Asia
The overwhelming sharing of fake news amid coronavirus outbreak across the globe raised concerns among governments, including in the Southeast Asian region. In the past weeks, we have quickly found disinformation and misinformation on social media stirring public discussion and, at times, leading to unnecessary panic. In Malaysia, misinformation claiming that coronavirus would make people …
Coronavirus Fears: Should We Take A Deep Breath?
With a new infectious disease outbreak on our doorstep, we might ask ourselves: are we reacting to the coronavirus in a way that is proportional to the threat? The problem is that when it comes to infectious disease epidemics, we have a strong tendency to overreact emotionally and underreact behaviourally. The overreaction aspect may be …