6 min read05 June

People with dementia worst hit by coronavirus in terms of deaths

Alzheimers Society calls on Government to put people with dementia at heart of lockdown solution, as devastating impact of isolation on health is revealed. Survey of 128 care homes reveals nearly 80% have seen a deterioration in the health of their residents with dementia due to lack of social contact.

As care homes enter their third month of closing doors to visitors, an Alzheimers Society investigation has found that lack of social contact is having a devastating impact on people with dementia:

Evidence now shows people with dementia are worst hit by coronavirus, with a quarter of those whove died having dementia, making it the most common pre-existing condition for deaths (along with diabetes). Aside from coronavirus, unexplained excess deaths from dementia were 83% higher in England in April, and 54% higher in Wales, with nearly 10,000 deaths in total (2).

The charity thinks these increased numbers of deaths from dementia are resulting partly from increased cognitive impairment caused by isolation, the reduction in essential care as family carers cannot visit, and the onset of depression as people with dementia do not understand why loved ones are no longer visiting, causing them to lose skills and independence, such as the ability to speak or even stopping eating and drinking.

Another factor, concerning Alzheimers Society, is the impact of interruptions to usual health services, after their investigation found over three quarters (76%) of care homes reported GPs have been reluctant to visit residents. Additionally, where local authorities have adopted Care Act Easements, care support plans may not be being prepared or reviewed and detailed assessments of support needs may not be taking place. There has also been a 2% decrease in dementia diagnosis rates over April, meaning people are unable to access the vital support and advice services they need.

The charity believes that the NHS was prioritised at the expense of the care sector and has called for social care to be put on equal footing. Government action was too slow to protect care homes and home care workers; protective equipment (PPE) and testing was supplied too late and is still not at sufficient levels in care homes and in the community 62 % of care homes were recently found still not to have had any staff tested. (3)

Care home staff surveyed by the charity, as part of its investigation to understand how people with dementia are being affected by the coronavirus pandemic, reported:

The charity is calling on the Government to prioritise safe social contact for care home residents as a health emergency by:

In recognition of the challenge of balancing social contact with infection control, Alzheimers Society is bringing together leading experts in infection control with dementia expertise together with colleagues in the care sector and other charities to discuss how this can best work. The charity hopes to use this to work with Government health ministers in planning the solution.

Alzheimers Society is additionally calling on the Government to set up a Dementia and Coronavirus Taskforce which can guarantee the safety of people with dementia through any easing of the lockdown and in case of a second spike. The charity warns that this is particularly important given the Governments recent suggestion that social care reform plans may be delayed, fearing lack of action will lead to further disaster for people with dementia if the virus peaks again later this year.

Trevor Salomon, 67, whose wife Yvonne, 64, is in a care home in London and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease when she was 57, said: Coronavirus and lockdown changed Yvonnes care home overnight. The familiar faces of family and friends are gone, and carers are behind masks and cant touch or comfort the residents. Yvonne has lost her sparkle, shes in a world she doesnt understand. The staff at the care home are doing an amazing job looking after the residents, but weve only got video calls to keep in touch, and Yvonne doesnt always understand them. If lockdown continues, Im really fearful my wife wont be able to recognise me at the end of all this.

Kate Lee, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimers Society, said: Its horrendous that people with dementia have been dying in their thousands, worst hit by coronavirus. Weve already seen the devastating effect of coronavirus on people with dementia who catch it, but our survey reveals that the threat of the virus extends far beyond that. We have to stem the dreadful loss of life for those who were neglected at the start of this crisis - with a threadbare social care system already on its knees, ill-equipped to protect them.

Through Alzheimers Societys Dementia Connect support line, weve heard from people up and down the country who are watching on, helpless, as their loved ones in care homes lose their skills and memories at a terrifying rate, despite care home staff doing incredible work with the resources they have.

The Government must put people with dementia at the heart of plans to ease lockdown and recognise the vital role of social contact so we can avoid further tragedy.

People affected by dementia have had their worlds turned upside down, and our frontline team are needed now more than ever. Were facing a loss in income of up to 45 million and were calling on the publics support to help us make sure no-one affected by dementia is left to face this alone. Please donate at alzheimers.org.uk/emergency.

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Thousands of people with dementia dying or deteriorating not just from coronavirus as isolation takes its toll - PoliticsHome.com

Its so disgusting when you think about it, she said, looking down at her hands. I never wanted to keep using. I didnt. But then you had that come down and you just honestly felt like death.

It took only about six months for Cooksey to realize she was addicted.

"I noticed my bank accounts were draining; I was overdrafting, she said, adding that she had thousands of dollars of debt at one point. I just was like 'oh my God,' and then Id say 'OK, Im going to quit next week.' Next week never came."

That was about 10 years ago. Cooksey's debts are now paid off, her skin and blonde hair are healthy again, she started a family and opened her own salon, Liv N Dye. Someone meeting the 32-year-old today wouldn't know that she struggled with a meth addiction.

But thats only because that "next week" finally did come for Cooksey.

"It seemed like it was OK, and then youd go to work during the week and youd be like Oh my god, that wasnt OK.'" Cooksey said. And then youd come to the weekend and it was like, OK, you get drunk and end up doing it again.

All of a sudden it becomes a lifestyle without you even knowing. The next thing you know ... youre living two different lives.

Cooksey moved to Detroit Lakes from Hillsboro, N.D., in 2010. She had a new job as a hairstylist at Regis in Washington Square Mall.

About a year after moving to the lakes area, Cooksey started using meth. Her friends introduced her to the drug. Through meth and those friends, Cooksey met her now-husband, Brian, who was also using.

We were doing it together. I was so head over heels for my husband, we were best friends, and it just got to be an everyday thing, she said. I always went to work, I always did my job, our numbers were always up higher.

But when she started doing drugs at work or leaving to go get high, and her bank accounts were continually overdrafting, she knew she couldnt keep up the pace.

I was absolutely ashamed of who I was, she said.

Jacob Orin, a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with Lakeland Mental Health in Detroit Lakes, said that couples using drugs together is very common. It also makes it more difficult to quit, as most couples arent usually on the same page with their addiction.

Its always a much bigger problem in the rural areas than it is in a city, Orin said.

In greater Minnesota, 7,664 people sought treatment for meth addiction in 2016. This was a 25% increase from 2015, ruralmn.org said. Surprisingly, the Twin Cities had almost half that number of people seek treatment in 2016.

More people receive treatment for meth in greater Minnesota than in the Twin Cities area, as shown in the bottom left corner of this graphic from ruralmn.org. (Courtesy photo)

Meth, taken most commonly by smoking, snorting or injecting, floods your brain with a ton of dopamine, more than the body is meant to handle, Orin said.

This creates a happy high that can give users more energy and make them lose weight. But, with time, users also stop getting the same high and start developing other side effects.

Your body adjusts and (the high is) never going to be as good, Orin said.

Addicts start to use more and more, trying to find that high. As they do that, they start to lose their daily functions, become paranoid, pick at their face, and more.

Cooksey had all of these side effects. It started with the more energy and weight loss, but changed the longer she used.

The next year goes by and Im picking my face to the point where its so noticeable, she said.

Looking back, she knows that there were mental and emotional changes too.

Everything is stressful, everything is so chaotic. I have so much drama in my life, but its never mine. I couldnt smile. I was starting to be very awkward.

I remember at one point, I looked at my dog and if I grabbed that pipe, my dog would start crying, Cooksey said, tearing up as she remembered. "If I came down, I would scream at the top of my lungs to my dog."

She wanted her life back, and she knew she was the only one that could give that back to her. With plans to quit and start a new job at Artistry Hair Salon, Cooksey left Regis.

You have to lose what you have in order to realize its a problem," Cooksey said, explaining how she came to the decision that it was time to quit.

She and Brian spent two weeks with a friend to come down from the high, then shared with their family what was going on. Cooksey said her dad was shocked, her stepmom had suspected something and her mom was just disappointed.

It took me about one month to get my brain normal, Cooksey said, adding that trying to describe how it feels coming down is difficult. "You just honestly felt like death."

"My goal is to have the biggest and best salon in this town," said Lindsey Cooksey, owner of Liv N Dye, the new salon in Washington Square Mall. "I want it to be that very fun environment, I want everyone to feel welcome." (Desiree Bauer / Tribune)

She and Brian didnt go to treatment as they didnt think they could afford it. Instead, they cut every meth addict or dealer out of their lives, as they knew they would have to eventually.

"I was going to have to learn the word 'no,'" Cooksey said.

The distance between you and the drug, if youre not going to be in a treatment program, is important, Orin said. He added that people choosing treatment or quitting on their own really depends on each individual and their addiction.

The longer Cooksey didnt smoke meth, the more she started to notice things and enjoy life more.

Nothing was stressful. When youre on that ... everything is so dramatic, Cooksey said. I loved the little things.

When her mom unexpectedly ended up in the ICU for a month, Cooksey relapsed, shortly after quitting the first time.

I was like I f------ hate myself. Holy s--- do I hate myself, Cooksey said. I wouldnt smile, wouldnt laugh, just put on a front. It was like living in hell.

Relapses are very common in recovering addicts, Orin said. Most of the time, recovering addicts need a whole life change to officially quit and stay clean.

Jacob Orin, a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with Lakeland Mental Health in Detroit Lakes

After about four months, when Cooksey's mom was safely out of the ICU, she and Brian moved in with her mom. They stayed with her and saved money, eventually coming back to the lakes area. Cooksey started at Artistry Hair Salon about seven months after leaving Regis.

She was worth waiting for and holding a spot, said Gail McDougall, the owner of Artistry Hair Salon. At the time, McDougall knew that Cooksey had something going on and assumed it was an addiction, but wasnt sure what it was.

Shortly after starting at Artistry, Cooksey relapsed again. She kept herself together and referred back to her motto, "tomorrow is a new day."

Keep coming back, I encouraged her, McDougall said about Cooksey's relapses when she worked with her. You know what your goals are.

It didnt take long before Lindsey and Brian made some changes to make sure they didnt relapse again.

"Heres the deal," she recalls telling Brian. "Ive already lost my life. Ive lost all my money ... The material stuff in the apartment? I dont need it. I need my life back. I need hair back in my life."

Although she didnt know it at the time, Brian went downstairs and broke every pipe and meth-related item they had.

Lindsey Cooksey, left, opened Liv N Dye Hair Salon in January 2020 with Natalie Pirtle joining her. "My clients made this happen," Cooksey said. "If I didnt have these wonderful clients, my dreams wouldnt have come true." (Desiree Bauer / Tribune)

After returning to doing hair, Cooksey had to rebuild her whole clientele list. None of her Regis clients knew where she went or what had happened.

Cooksey remembers her clients asking her "what was wrong with you?" She said she'd be honest, telling them about the two years of meth use. As her clients came to know what had been going on, she earned most of them back, plus new ones.

She was so determined and I was so proud of her, McDougall said about Cooksey's hard work after returning to the hair industry.

Part of Cooksey's determination was to save enough money to open up her own salon.

Ive been wanting to open a salon since I was 5, she said. There were always setbacks.

In fall 2019, at 32 years old and toward the end of her pregnancy with her son, Knox, Cooksey said Dawn Olson, the Washington Square Mall manager, asked her to open a salon in the mall.

"I said 'give me an offer I cant refuse,'" Cooksey said. Im spiritual and I go with my intuition ... and everything felt right, even though it was scary.

Just five days after her son was born, Cooksey signed the lease for the salon in the mall, calling it Liv N Dye. The name choice was easy, as hair is my life, I live and die for hair she said. It was a huge part of her life throughout her battle with her meth addiction.

Lindsey worked full-time at Artistry and she and Brian worked on Liv N Dye on the weekends, getting it ready to open in January 2020.

I almost kind of forgot about (my past), Cooksey said. I was so driven on building my business.

Natalie Pirtle, the other hairstylist at Liv N Dye, played a big hand in helping the salon open.

If I didnt have Natalie here, half of this place would not look the way it does, Cooksey said.

Cooksey asked her to join her at her salon because she wanted only the best and she and Pirtle always got along.

We were renting at the same place (Artistry Hair Salon) and then she asked if I would come with her, Pirtle said.

Pirtle was quick to say yes and brought her Bombshell Studio to Liv N Dye salon. Pirtle has been in the business for 15 years, specializing in extensions.

Ive always loved doing hair and I love the creative aspect of it, she said.

On Jan. 2, Lindsey opened the doors to Liv N Dye with Pirtle at her side. It wasnt until she wrote about opening the salon that she realized how far she has come in the last few years.

I was like 'God, I am really proud of myself, she said. So appreciative of so many that believed in me, that told me I could do it, and the friends and family that stood by my side. Im so happy with life.

Looking at her now compared to when McDougall first met her, Cooksey is like a new person but with the same personality, McDougall said. Clean is what it is Shes going to go far.

My past does not define me, Cooksey said about her history with addiction and why shes so open about it today. But, it is a part of my story.

Part of the reason she freely shares her past is because shes always been open about everything, but also because she knew many people already knew about her addiction, and she hates lying.

I lied for so many years when I was on meth and after that, if you have to lie, then youre hiding something, she said.

Since her clients all know, many of them often talk to Cooksey about their children and their struggles with addiction, eating disorders or suicidal thoughts, as she has experience with all of them.

All I can say is just, you know, you got to do it (quit) when youre ready, You have to be ready to be done, she said. You cannot rely on others to do it for you.

She suggests treatment for addiction and making sure that you have good people around you, cutting out any kind of bad influence or negative person.

Commonly, people might need to move out of a community thats small, like DL, and they know where they might get meth, Orin said, backing up Cookseys suggestion.

Having Brians positive light by Lindseys side, even though they were both recovering addicts, helped her through everything.

Without him, it couldnt have even happened. He is emotionally, physically, everything, been there by my side, she said. I cant thank him enough for being by my side and believing in me, because he has always believed in me.

Together, Lindsey and Brian worked their way up from rock bottom. It took time, but Lindseys been clean for the last five years, and Brian three. The pair are still head over heels for each other, recently celebrating their four-year wedding anniversary. Because they chose to quit using meth, they live a completely different life than they did just five years ago.

Lindsey and Brian Cooksey with son, Knox. (Courtesy photo)

If you are someone you know is struggling with addiction, the following contacts may be able to help:

Lindsey Cooksey's salon is in Washington Square Mall and is open by appointment only, walk-ins are not available. Due to COVID-19, Cooksey can only have 25% of capacity in the salon and both she and clients must wear face masks. For more information, call 701-541-4155 or go to Facebook @LivNDyeLCHairInc.

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Five years clean, Lindsey Cooksey reflects on her meth addiction: 'It is a part of my story' - Detroit Lakes Tribune

SINGAPORE - A construction firm began to assiduously impose strict social distancing measures at its work site and dormitories a few months ago, yet almost 30 per cent of its workers at a project site were infected by Covid-19, said Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on Friday (June 5).

Recounting its efforts, he said the measures include having all the workers of a project live at the site and ensuring they are segregated, as well as disallowing those living on different levels of dormitories to mix.

The workers had not left the worksite since late March, even before circuit breaker measures kicked in.

But despite the full attention the management paid to safety and protection against the coronavirus, Covid-19 could not be kept at bay, noted Mr Lee, who is also Minister for Social and Family Development.

He cited the firm, which he did not name, to explain why stringent measures had to be imposed on construction companies before they were allowed to resume work progressively, starting from June 2.

The minister acknowledged their anxieties and eagerness to resume work, which has been suspended for two months under the circuit breaker that ended on June 1.

But the experience of the mentioned project shows how infectious the Covid-19 disease is, and how difficult it is to prevent a single case from infecting many more who live and work together, Mr Lee said during the debate on the supplementary Fortitude Budget.

"Imagine how much more challenging it might befor projects with workers living in different accommodation, or having to move between different sites."

So, it is equally important that the resumption of work is done safely, not just swiftly, he said, given that most of Covid-19 cases were construction workers.

A new case could easily cause another outbreak, which could bring the industry to a halt again, he added.

He also told the House that 60 dormitories have been cleared of Covid-19, and another 111 are due to be cleared in the coming weeks.

Workers tested and found free of the infection are being resettled in designated dormitory blocks.

The minister also said more regular updates will be given to the industry, including a rolling forecast of the dormitory clearance schedule to help the builders plan ahead on when their workers can return to work.

He assured the House that there isenough testing capacity for workers living in the wider community.

And that almost 20,000 safety management officers will be trained this month to ensure workers comply with safety measures, with priority given to officers in charge of projects that are ready to restart.

"Many firms in the construction sector, including many small and medium-sized enterprises, are very anxious about survival and about their future. Let me assure you that our main priority is to restart construction quickly but safely," said Mr Lee.

Singapore's efforts to raise productivity in construction have been going on for decades, Mr Lee said, in his reply to Nominated MP Walter Theseira, who called for a rethink of Singapore's dependence on foreign labour, particularly in construction.

Under the construction sector's Industry Transformation Map, "major structural changes" are needed on how work is done to reduce the reliance on foreign labour, including the greater adoption of technology, the minister said.

But the change will create higher-skilled jobs, including many good jobs for Singaporeans. Foreign workers who take on such jobs will also need to be higher skilled, he noted.

"However, the construction sector will not be able to reduce our foreign worker reliance to zeroas there will still be lower-skilled jobs that Singaporeans do not want to take up.

"We appreciate the contributions of our foreign workers, who have come to Singapore to make an honest living for themselves and their families, and it is incumbent on us to also take good care of them when they are unwell," said Mr Lee.

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Singapore's top priority is to restart construction quickly but safely after Covid-19 circuit breaker, says Desmond Lee - The Straits Times

Businesses are concerned about higher operating costs as they adjust to new safe distancing and precautionary measures amid the Covid-19 pandemic, MPs said yesterday, as they sought more support for affected firms.

Singapore Manufacturing Federation president Douglas Foo, a Nominated MP, highlighted that manufacturers are facing challenges such as increased cleaning expenses and costs associated with remote working needs like laptops and network servers, which are expected to be permanent additions to costs.

Mr Melvin Yong (Tanjong Pagar GRC) also weighed in on the impact of safe distancing requirements on business costs during the debate on the supplementary Fortitude Budget.

Cost may be a factor for some businesses' poor implementation of safe management practices, said Mr Yong.

The measures that companies are required to implement involve employing additional staff to control access to premises and monitor temperatures, and increasing the number of trips to ferry workers due to safe distancing requirements. These add to their expenditure, he said.

Employers are also concerned about having to bear the cost of Covid-19 swab tests that some workers have to take, said Mr Yong, highlighting how nursing home and pre-school staff now have to go through such tests before returning to work.

In the construction sector, workers are also required to be tested once every two weeks.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) had said last month that the Government will waive the cost of swab tests for construction workers until August, for those involved in works resuming by then.

"Many businesses are already reeling from the increasing costs of putting in place the ever-evolving set of protective measures to keep workplaces safe... Coupled with a sharp decline in revenue, our businesses are hit with a double whammy," said Mr Yong.

Ms Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC) called on the Government to absorb the cost of swab tests for the construction sector beyond August, or waive the requirement for such tests after that.

She also called for the construction sector to be given more support, including extending the foreign worker levy waiver until August.

The waiver will be 100 per cent in June and 50 per cent in July, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced last month.

But Ms Lee hopes that construction companies can receive a 100 per cent waiver until August. She said this is because most of them will not be able to resume operations until September or later.

Contractors need to fulfil numerous requirements, including in areas such as housing, before they can get approval from the BCA to resume work.

Mr Yong and Mr Foo also said that some safety and health measures at workplaces need to be fine-tuned.

Mr Foo appealed to policymakers to ensure that regulatory bodies have enough staff and resources so that approvals required for businesses to resume operations do not hinder efficiency.

Mr Yong said that employers and regulators should be mindful of the approach taken in setting out and implementing safe management measures so as not to compromise workers' safety.

For instance, in the construction and marine engineering sectors, wearing a mask could affect the ability of workers to carry out physically demanding work safely.

"Whichever the approach, safe management measures must not inadvertently cause poor safety at the workplace," said Mr Yong.

The rest is here:
Firms worried about higher costs with safe distancing rules - The Straits Times

Authorities around the world continue the fight to curb the spread of Covid-19. While safe distancing measures are slowly easing, with the phased reopening of Singapore and the government announcing the launch of a "fast lane" for the limited essential travel between Singapore and mainland China this month, many people are still unsure when commercial travel will be safe again.

This means foreigners working and studying in Singapore wont know when they will be able to travel home to visit their loved ones again. For now, they can only rely on a phone call or video call to connect with them.

For Chinese nationals living in the city-state, China Mobile International is doing its part to offer seamless connections to help them link up with their families, friends and business partners in mainland China and Hong Kong. With its new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) CMLink Singapore, subscribers from Chinese immigrants to students and professionals here wont have to worry about staying connected with ease.

With CMLink Singapore, you dont have to stress over expensive charges when making calls or maintaining two numbers. To those who have a constant link with mainland China and Hong Kong, heres a list of why you should make the switch to CMLink Singapore now.

Making overseas calls can be nerve-racking for two reasons: getting an unstable connection that may result in spotty calls and paying hefty fees. With CMLink, you can expect crystal-clear calls to mainland China and Hong Kong with its bundled IDD minutes that range from 100 minutes to 300 minutes, depending on your selected plan. Any excess minutes are charged at local rates. Apart from mainland China and Hong Kong, CMLink Singapores bundled IDD minutes can also be used to call numbers in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the United States.

Frequent travellers to mainland China and Hong Kong, rejoice! On your next visit, you can forget about ordering a Wi-Fi router, the hassle of changing your SIM card or topping up your mobile plan to get overseas data. CMLink Singapores plans, which range from 5GB to 60GB, have bundled data that can be shared across Singapore, mainland China and Hong Kong.

For existing China Mobile subscribers, you can opt to receive SMS sent to your Chinese number* through your CMLink Singapore number. This is made possible by the MVNOs CM Numbers Link service, which allows its subscribers to access any Chinese website and service that requires an OTP. This service is free for all subscribers until Dec 31.

*Chinese number refers to an active mainland phone number of China Mobile

Mobile plans often highlight the data they offer but getting good deals on call and text services are equally important too. CMLink Singapore has four plans that offer call number display, incoming calls and bundled SMS at no cost. This takes away the hassle of deciding which plan to subscribe to.

Several deals await when you sign up for any CMLink Singapore mobile plan. PHOTO: CHINA MOBILE

There is no contract and sign-up fee when you make the switch to CMLink Singapore. You can enjoy a number of promotions when you sign up with the MVNO too.

Till June 30, get a $20 discount for six consecutive months on plans that are $30 and above, or enjoy a $10 discount for six consecutive months on the $15 plan.

For China Mobile subscribers availing of a CMLink Singapore plan, a reward of 15 (~S$2.98) in monthly credit for 12 consecutive months awaits upon your sign-up. This promotion will run till June 30 as well.

So hurry and sign up for CMLink Singapore now. You can get the $15 plan for as low as $5 for 5GB of data, inclusive of 100 local minutes, 100 SMS, free incoming calls and caller ID, free SIM registration and delivery, as well as mobile number port.

Find out more about what CMLink Singapore offers or sign up now by visiting this link.

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Connect with loved ones in mainland China and Hong Kong with CMLink - The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - The importance of having good workplace safety and health practices has increased in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, but such measures need to be fine-tuned to ensure that they can be implemented effectively, said MPs.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday (June 4) during the debate on the supplementary Fortitude Budget, three MPs came up with suggestions on how such measures can be improved, including giving business more support with compliance costs.

Employers and regulators should also be mindful of the approach taken in setting out and implementing such measures, so as not to compromise workers' safety, said Mr Melvin Yong (Tanjong Pagar GRC).

For instance, in the construction and marine engineering sectors, mask-wearing could affect the ability of workers to carry out physically demanding work safely. In other types of work that require clear communication and coordinated teamwork, speaking through a mask and keeping a distance from others may also lead to a higher risk of workplace accidents.

"Whichever the approach, safe management measures must not inadvertently cause poor safety at the workplace," said Mr Yong.

Mr Yong and Nominated MP Douglas Foo, who is president of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), also highlighted how businesses may face higher compliance costs. Mr Foo said that while a majority of businesses surveyed by the SMF agree that health and safety aretheir top priority, implementing such measures will also lead to an increase in operational costs.

Some SMF members have also seen almost four-fold increase in monthly cleaning expenses, he noted. Companies also have to maintain their own inventory of personal protective equipment that will likely be required for daily operations for an extended period, added Mr Foo.

Employers are also concerned about having to bear the costs of Covid-19 swab tests that some workers have to undertake, said Mr Yong, highlighting how nursing home and pre-school staff now have to go through such tests before returning to work. In the construction sector, workers are also required to be tested once every two weeks. The Building and Construction Authority had said in May that the Government will waive the cost of swab tests for construction workers until August, for those involved in works resuming by then.

"Many businesses are already reeling from the increasing costs of putting in place the ever-evolving set of protective measures to keep workplaces safe ...Coupled with a sharp decline in revenue, our businesses are hit with a double whammy," said Mr Yong.

Mr Foo also appealed to policymakers to ensure that regulatory bodies have enough staff and resourcesso that approvals that are required for businesses to start or resume operations do not end up hindering efficiency.

Nominated MP Arasu Duraisamy, who is also the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary for financial affairs, said that while such safe management measures may bring about some inconveniences, businesses understand that they are necessary.

The NTUC has been working with the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute and NTUC LearningHub to train union leaders, management partners and union staff as safe management officers, he said. This will help union leaders work with their management partners to coordinate and implement measures on the ground.

"Each one of us must do our part in adhering to these measures, and I hope that more companies can come on board and get trained so that businesses can continue to operate safely and workers can work in a safe environment."

Continued here:
Parliament: Safe management measures in workplaces need to be fine-tuned, say MPs - The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - More than $7 million has been lost to technical support staff impersonators in the first four months of this year, an increase of more than 40 times from the same period last year.

The scammers deceive victims into believing their Internet connections are compromised, and victims lost some $3.2 million in April alone, when circuit breaker measures were in full force and more people were working or learning from home.

One victim lost $958,500, the highest sum cheated in a single case between January and April.

Similar scams had defrauded people of $169,600 between January and April last year, said police on Thursday (June 4).

Around 70 per cent of victims were aged between 40 and 75, said police, adding that scammers typically persuade their victims to install software applications like Teamviewer or Anydeskunder the pretext that this would solve the connection problems.

Once the applications are installed, however, the scammers would have remote access to the computers, and can transfer money out of their victims' bank accounts.

Some fraudsters use a similar tactic by pretending to be with the "Cyber Crime Department of Singapore" or the "Cyber Police of Singapore" - both of which are non-existent organisations.

Victims are told that they have "committed an offence", and must download the applications to help in investigations, said police.

Criminologist Olivia Choy from Nanyang Technological University said people have more opportunities to become victimsas they are often with their devices and this is more pronounced as people rely even more on them to communicate with others during the circuit breaker.

"We are all on our devices these days, that's how the majority of people are communicating with each other, so these problems are going to be more prominent and significant," she said.

Victims said scammers are often very convincing, and are quick to "verify" their own identities and allay further concerns.

A victim, a Singapore permanent resident who wanted to be known only as Bavara, 61, was contacted by a man purporting to be from Singtel in mid-April, a week into the circuit breaker period.

Without prompting, the man offered his name, his "employee ID" numberand a telephone number, before informing her that her IP address had been compromised, she said.

The man then referred her to another person, who claimed to be with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore. They needed her assistance in tracking down hackers, she was told.

At their behest, she downloaded the Teamviewer application, and they told her they needed to make a "fake transaction" with her bank account to track down the hackers.

When she raised concerns, they reassured her that she would be reimbursed, even producing a letter of authorisation from her bank, she said.

"(The impersonator) was very confident, polite, knowledgeable. I asked all kinds of questions and he had good answers to everything," said Bavara, who runs a business development consultancy service.

"I was pretty much overwhelmed with all the details," she said, adding that the circuit breaker had added to her anxiety.

The scammers attempted to siphon away $170,000. Fortunately, her bank spotted something fishy and stopped some of the transactions, she said.

Bavara only realised she had been tricked when the police called her to find out more about the suspicious transactions flagged by the bank. She was swindled of around $94,000 in the end, as some transactions were not stopped in time.

"I'm not an expert doubter... that's probably why I paid for it with this kind of experience," she said, adding that she will double-check the identities of unknown callers in future.

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$7.7 million lost to tech support scams from Jan to April in big spike over same period last year - The Straits Times

This is an edited excerpt of Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat's round-up speech on debate on the Fortitude Budget in Parliament.

Government interventions have become the cornerstone of the Covid-19 response, as populations look towards the one institution that can organise and mobilise.

There has been a "flight to leadership". Administrations, regardless of where they sit on the political spectrum or their belief in government intervention, have responded with substantial support packages. Some have also stepped in to support distressed corporates, from airlines to carmakers.

We, too, have mounted a strong response, because lives and livelihoods are at stake. We are committing almost $100 billion, or close to 20 per cent of our GDP, to our Covid-19 response.

Adding the Covid-19 response to our usual spending, the total size of our four Budgets stands at $193 billion. This is more than double the size of our annual Budgets in preceding years.

In other words, we are looking to spend in one year what we would have done in two years or more in normal times. This is a very big commitment!

Beyond the size of headline numbers, what matters even more is whether resources are directed to the right areas, to enable our people and our economy to rebound faster and stronger. Design and implementation are critical...

I thank many Members for recognising that Singapore's fiscal response has been timely, comprehensive and decisive. And that it is commensurate with the widespread and unprecedented impact of the crisis.

Our strong response is projected to stabilise economic activity during this difficult period, and position Singapore for recovery.

Based on a recent study by MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore), our four Budgets are estimated to help our economy avert an average output loss of 5 percentage points, or $23.4 billion per year, over 2020 and 2021. This is significant.

Some are of the view that we have spent too much, while others think it is too little. These contrasting views show that crisis budgeting is anything but straightforward.

These decisions have been made after careful deliberations, based on the best information available at the time. As the Covid-19 situation develops, we have continued to enhance and refine our schemes, as evidenced by our four Budgets.

Mr Liang Eng Hwa, in opening the debate, highlighted a distinctive feature of the Fortitude Budget - that we are setting aside an additional $13 billion in the Contingencies Funds.

The Covid-19 crisis has underscored the importance of upholding the prudence and discipline of Singapore's forefathers to spend responsibly, and prepare for the future, says Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. This is why, even as Singapore devotes considerable resources to overcome the immediate challenges posed by Covid-19, the country must continue to plan ahead to secure a fiscally sustainable future. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Such contingency budgeting reflects both the unprecedented levels of severity, as well as uncertainty, of this crisis.

As designed, the Contingencies Funds can be drawn upon if there is a need to do so. And as designed, we have not designated specific purposes for the Funds. In sizing it, we have run some "what if" scenarios, including the possibility that we may experience a setback in our fight against Covid-19 or the global economy does much worse than currently expected.

So unlike our usual annual Budget, where we seek to provide as much details as possible, we are setting aside a sum to meet future events or circumstances that are possible, but for which we cannot yet predict with certainty. This is indeed a special feature to allow us to respond swiftly to unforeseen developments.

The use of Contingencies Funds is not new. We have used it every year to meet urgent and unforeseen needs. With greater uncertainties this time round, it is natural for us to cater for a bigger quantum.

The Singapore Constitution includes safeguards over its use. First, the Government will need to seek the President's concurrence for drawing down the Contingencies Funds. Second, these drawdowns must be replaced through a subsequent Supplementary Supply Bill or a final Supply Bill that has to be presented to and voted on by Parliament, before seeking the President's assent.

This provides additional checks and balances over new spending from the Contingencies Funds. We will continue to ensure judicious use of the Contingencies Funds for urgent and unforeseen needs. When the uncertainty subsides, we can reduce the amount set aside in the Contingencies Funds.

Another exceptional feature of our Budgets this financial year - the draw on past reserves. For most countries, borrowing is the only way to fund their large stimulus packages. This increases the risk of unsustainable debt financing, which has severe consequences for the economy in the long run.

Countries that have taken on significant additional debt to pay for their support measures will have to find ways to repay the debt and interest accrued.

Future generations will be required to shoulder this debt, in the form of higher taxes, higher inflation or lower returns on their retirement assets. In order to service debt repayment, there will be less fiscal room to invest in human capital or infrastructure. The "Lockdown Generation" in these countries will end up paying for this crisis a long way down the road.

We are fortunate that in this hour of crisis, we have our national reserves to depend on. Our reserves allow us to deal with this crisis from a position of strength, and give us options in a period of uncertainty like this. Our reserves are our rainy-day fund. Our reserves are our key strategic advantage in the current environment.

First, it assures Singaporeans that we have the means to navigate the challenges ahead, to protect our lives and to sustain our livelihoods.

Second, it fosters confidence in global investors, that our economic fundamentals are sound and stable in the long term, and that we have enough resources to emerge stronger from the crisis.

Third, it protects us during this period of flux. Detractors and speculators know well enough not to take advantage of this crisis, to attack our economy and currency.

We did not get here by chance or good fortune. We have designed and implemented policies that discourage waste or over-consumption. We have run our public services based on outcomes, not on size of spending.

In short, we are in this fortunate position because of consistent hard work, prudence, long-term planning and discipline of those who came before us. Such prudence and discipline are not always appreciated.

Even as recently as January this year, before the Unity Budget was unveiled, many commentators inside and outside of this House speculated on how large our accumulated reserves would be. Yet, it took us just three months into FY2020 to use up the accumulated surplus that we had built up over the current term of government, since the start of this term of government. Even that is not enough.

Mounting Covid-19 packages amounting to nearly $100 billion, of which more than half is funded from the reserves, is not a trivial matter, especially when our yearly Budget is about $80 billion.

The total of our four Budgets, including the Covid-19 packages, is more than double the size of our annual Budgets in preceding years. Our reserves are a limited resource, and we must not take them for granted.

We owe it to our people - seniors, middle-aged, young and those yet to be born - to be prudent and ensure good governance, so that they, too, have the resources to navigate future challenges in an uncertain world.

(Some members) asked if we would restore the $52 billion drawn from our past reserves, and how long that would take. There is no legal or constitutional obligation for the Government to do so.

The Government put back into the past reserves the $4 billion it had earlier drawn on in 2009, during the global financial crisis. And not a single cent of the $150 billion of reserves that backed the Government's guarantee of bank deposits was used, when our banking system emerged safely from the global financial crisis.

This current crisis is of a significantly larger scale and reach than the global financial crisis. We are facing huge uncertainties regarding the course of the pandemic and its economic and social implications. What we do know is that there will likely not be a V-shaped recovery, unlike in past crises. And the amount that we are tapping is $52 billion. So how long would it take to build this back? We cannot be definitive.

At this moment, we must focus our minds fully on making the best use of the resources that we have deployed, be prepared to work hard in the years to come, and have the resolve to rebuild our economy. In this way, the Singapore economy can emerge stronger, and we will then be in a strong position to build up our resources. But rest assured that we are committed to not just rebuild our reserves, but also to continue developing Singaporeans and building Singapore.

Mr Faisal Manap and Mr Dennis Tan asked if the President was given information on the amount available in the reserves when the Government sought her in-principle support for drawing on them. It is public information that under our Constitution, the President has access to information about the size of reserves. Under Article 22F of the Constitution, in the exercise of her functions under the Constitution, the President is entitled to any information regarding the reserves. In addition, on the MOF (Ministry of Finance) website, it is already mentioned that the President has full information about the size of the reserves.

In the process of seeking the President's approval, the Government has conducted two briefings to the President and the Council of Presidential Advisers. These briefings covered the Government's assessment of the global and local health and economic situations, the details of the measures, and the resources needed.

In our system, the President is the custodian of our past reserves. She needs to concur with any draw, and her decision is made in full knowledge of why the draw is necessary, and the size of our reserves. In fact, Members have also heard the President's message in the Resilience Budget, delivered on her behalf by the Speaker, just before my Ministerial Statement then. We have a strict governance system scrupulously observed.

Now, some have also asked why the Government does not reveal the size of the reserves and let the public decide if we should use more.

The size of the reserves invested by MAS and Temasek is public information. But the amount invested by GIC is not disclosed. It is not in our national interest to reveal the full size of our reserves.

Besides being a buffer against crisis and providing investment return to supplement our annual Budget, our reserves also form our strategic defence against threats. And as a strategic asset, we will be diminishing its value if we disclose this for potential adversaries to use against us. No responsible leader will lay bare their nation's defence plan.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked if we should take advantage of the lower interest rates now, to borrow more to fund expenditure.

Fiscal discipline is one of the fundamental principles underpinning Singapore's fiscal system. We spend prudently within our means, and responsibly with a value-for-money culture. The rule to run balanced budgets for each term of government remains relevant. We also spend equitably, with the principle that each generation bears the cost of the benefits that it enjoys.

That is why we do not borrow to fund our recurrent spending. Doing so means getting our children to fund our current spending. There will be less resources for our children, after repaying such debt.

While interest rates may be low now, there is no certainty that we will be able to repay accumulated debt obligations in the future. This is especially so with the uncertain economic outlook, where all countries, including Singapore, will be operating in a tighter fiscal space.

While we have good reasons not to borrow for our current expenditure, the Government is already using debt productively and equitably to generate long-term returns for Singapore.

First, the Government issues debt securities domestically. For instance, to develop the domestic debt market. The borrowing proceeds are invested and we are able to cover the debt servicing costs through the investment returns.

Second, as announced in Budget 2019, the Government will guarantee the borrowing by Changi Airport Group to fund the development of Changi East, including Terminal 5. In this way, we leverage the strength of the Government's balance sheet to reduce borrowing costs. The debt repayments will be made during a period when the airport will be generating economic returns.

Lastly, as I had also mentioned in Budget 2019, the Government is considering borrowing for major long-term infrastructure. Long-term infrastructure requires hefty upfront investments and the costs are lumpy. But once built, they benefit many generations of Singaporeans. Borrowing for such developments allows us to spread costs equitably across current and future generations, without the need for sharp increases in taxes.

We have done so in the past, to borrow for many worthwhile investments that have benefited several generations such as the first terminal at Changi Airport and our first MRT lines. They will continue to generate growth for future generations of Singaporeans.

The crisis has underscored the importance of upholding the prudence and discipline of our forefathers to spend responsibly, and prepare for the future.

This is why, even as we devote considerable resources to overcome the immediate challenges posed by Covid-19, we must continue to plan ahead to secure a fiscally sustainable future.

In the medium to long term, our structural needs will persist, and significant fiscal outlay will be required. We need to continue investing in healthcare, education and training, and infrastructure - so that we have adequate capacity to take care of our elderly, and support an ageing population; so that we give every child a good start, and give every Singaporean the opportunity to re-skill and up-skill to access good jobs; and so that Singapore remains a liveable city and a place we are proud to call home.

These heavy and rising expenditures were known even before the outbreak of Covid-19. Covid-19 has increased the urgency for some of these investments, such as developing advanced medical research and production capabilities, and expanding training capacity for our workers.

It is hence critical that we deploy the right mix of fiscal instruments that meets our principles of prudence and equitable spending.

Major long-term infrastructure spending, which requires hefty upfront investments but benefits many generations of Singaporeans, may be financed through borrowing to fairly distribute the cost among those who benefit.

On the other hand, recurrent spending should be met with recurrent revenues. Such spending primarily benefits the current generation of Singaporeans, and so it is fair and responsible for all of us to do our part and chip in.

In the Unity Budget, I announced that the GST rate increase will not take effect in 2021. However, we will not be able to put off the increase indefinitely, and this will still be needed by 2025.

When the GST rate increase does take place, we will cushion the impact for Singaporeans; $6 billion in funds has already been set aside during the Unity Budget for the Assurance Package. This is sufficient to offset at least five years' worth of additional GST expenses for the majority of households, and more for lower-income ones. We will continue to absorb GST on publicly subsidised healthcare and education.

Overall, our taxes and transfers system will remain fair and progressive.

With this differentiated and principled fiscal strategy, each generation rightly pays for the benefits that it enjoys, and we do not saddle future generations with our bills. This is an equitable approach, and will continue to be the cornerstone of fiscal sustainability for Singapore.

The Covid-19 situation is a mighty storm that has damaged sails, and forced ships around the world to go into harbour. While waiting for the storm to subside, we must make the best use of this downtime to build new strengths and capabilities. Let us take this rare chance to repair, upgrade our ship and install new instruments, re-orientate our mental compass, and strengthen our sailors, so that when the fair wind comes, we will sail out faster and further than ever before. This is what our four Budgets enable us to do - let us make the best use of them!

Read more:
A principled fiscal strategy that gave S'pore four Budgets - The Straits Times