Chinanews.com, June 19, Question: "Guest" lives and robs in Lion City
Author: sweet
The "Lion City" Singapore is small in size, but it has voices from all over the world. The busy Changi Airport welcomes investors from all over the world; the hospitable Merlion welcomes tourists after tourists...
However, in the past few months, under the impact of the new crown epidemic, the originally lively Singapore had few people and was completely empty. After the epidemic was declared under control, two outbreaks occurred. As of now, the number of confirmed cases has risen to more than 41,000, of which more than 9 are Chengdu guest workers, with more than 39,000 cases.
What is the ups and downs of Singapore, known as the "anti-epidemic superior student", in dealing with the new coronavirus?
Data map: Singapore Merlion Park under the epidemic.
"Please let him go home alive"
"Please pray for this little boy together, he will soon be healthy and happy to meet his father happily."
At the end of March, a photo of a newborn posted on social media by the Singapore Guest Aid Organization touched the hearts of countless Singaporeans, and even Prime Minister Li Xianlong also blessed him.
The child's father, Sakar, is the 42nd confirmed case in Singapore and the first confirmed case by a guest worker. Due to complications caused by the new coronavirus, he was admitted to the intensive care unit of the National Center for Infectious Diseases at the age of 40 after he was admitted to the hospital on February 8. He was still in critical condition and was in a coma until the day of his birth.
After learning of Sarkar's diagnosis, his wife in Bangladesh could not hide his sorrow. Prior to the daily call, her husband told her not to be ill, but she got a stroke. She cried out: "Please let him go home alive."
In the Leo Dormitory dormitory area of Kakibuchi where Sarkar is located, there are 365 rooms, each with 12 people. Although the dormitory has adopted anti-epidemic measures such as disinfection and strengthening the cleaning of crowded contact areas, it is still worrying. How can such high-density guest dormitory avoid the risk of virus transmission?
After all, in Singapore, more than 200,000 guest workers are scattered in 43 collective dormitory areas, and there are about 100,000 guest workers living in factory converted dormitories and small dormitories built on the construction site, usually 10 to 20 people are living in a room .
The picture shows the guest workers queuing for food outside the S11 Punggol Guest Hostel in Singapore.
The fragility of the "third front"
For many guest workers, although the epidemic situation is severe, they are full of confidence in Singapore's prevention and control and medical treatment. In order to support the family's life, they still choose to stay and work here after the adventure.
In the early days, Singapore quickly controlled the epidemic.
As early as early January, the Ministry of Health of Singapore issued an alert to all medical institutions and doctors; after the first confirmed case appeared on January 23, the policy of entry was continuously tightened; on February 7, the response level of the disease outbreak response system was changed from yellow Increased to orange; on February 17th, released the "Home Isolation Announcement" to further strengthen the prevention and control of isolation measures...
On February 18, WHO Director-General Tan Desai said he was deeply impressed by Singapore’s efforts to detect each case and track contacts to stop transmission. Multinational media also refer to Singapore as an "anti-epidemic superior student."
However, Singapore’s public health expert Jeremy Lin believes that the government is working hard to fight the spread and import of cases in the community, but it ignores the “vulnerability of the third front.” He pointed out that Singapore has always had a "blind spot of prejudice" in the management of guest workers and guest quarters.
Singapore’s wife, Mr. He Jing, later admitted on social media, “We underestimated the new crown epidemic and paid a price for it.”
Data Map: "Square Cabin Hospital" at Singapore Changi Exhibition Center. The picture shows the medical staff wearing protective clothing and waiting for the patient.
No one knows when the virus will target
In addition to going out for work, Indian guest worker Mohan will stop hanging out with friends since March. "I only bought vegetables on March 8, and I avoided physical contact with anyone." After all, no one knows when and where I will be targeted by the virus.
The cautious Mohan did not expect that on March 30, four people in his S11 Punggol guest dormitory were infected with the virus. In less than a week, it became the largest local infection group in Singapore, with 63 people diagnosed.
On April 5, S11 Punggol and Westlite guest quarters were listed as "quarantine areas". Two days later, the nationwide implementation of the virus “blocking measures”—businesses that provide non-essential services were suspended—meaning that most guest workers had to stop working and stay in dormitories.
After the isolation began, Mohan was worried. Because the S11 Punggol guest dormitory "is neither clean nor hygienic, like a time bomb that can explode at any time." Here, it was also rated as "Singapore's cheapest hostel". The four-story building covers an area of about 58,000 square meters, but accommodates up to 14,000 guest workers.
Due to the lack of cleaning staff in the dormitory, Mohan took the initiative to help clean the toilet on his floor. On the fourth day, he began to feel uncomfortable. "I feel a little fever. When I checked my temperature, it was 37.4 degrees Celsius."
In Westlite guest dormitory, it is almost impossible for guest workers to maintain a social safety distance of one meter. In a room full of 12 people, the bunk beds are very close together, and items such as cooking utensils and buckets are piled up. Two days after the isolation began, the whistle of an ambulance was heard here.
The picture shows Singapore S11 Punggol Guest House.
As of April 21st, of the 43 guest dormitory rooms, 19 have been classified as isolated areas. Among them, nearly 2,000 people in the S11 Punggol dormitory were infected, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total cases in Singapore, including Mohan and several of his roommates.
10,000 cases! On April 25, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in guest dormitory exceeded 5 digits, and the number of new cases increased from 400 to 900 daily.
20,000 cases! As of May 10, in just two weeks, the total number of guest workers has doubled.
The epidemic "bomb" was detonated again. Experts analyze that some guest workers may be infected with the new coronavirus in the workplace, and gather with guest workers in different dormitories during breaks, and the virus spreads among the dormitories.
Data map: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The "invisible pillar" of this country is not alone
After the outbreak, the group of guest workers known as Singapore's "invisible pillar" came into people's attention in this special form.
"Singaporeans can have high-quality government flats, a world-class airport and an extensive subway network. They (guest workers) have a lot of credit. If you are a guest worker's family and are watching a video, I want to tell you , We are very grateful to your son, father and husband for their contribution to Singapore."
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong thanked the guest workers in a video, promising to return them to their families in a healthy and safe manner.
In order to prevent and control the epidemic, the measures of the Singaporean government are continuously increasing. On April 7, two days after the S11 Punggol and Westlite guest dormitory began to be isolated, the Ministry of Manpower stated that an inter-departmental working group had been established to improve the conditions of the two dormitory, including masks and disinfectant. A week later, the government guest worker epidemic situation working group said that it would send medical teams to all 43 guest worker quarters in Singapore.
At the same time, severely ill patients were taken to hospitals; mildly ill patients were taken to square cabin hospitals rebuilt by the exhibition hall; healthy guest workers who tested negative for viruses were successively placed in military camps, floating dormitories at sea, stadiums, cruise ships, etc. place.
Singapore uses luxury cruise ships as dormitories to house new workers who have recovered from pneumonia. The picture shows the foreign workers who have boarded the ship rest on the deck.
After recovery, the Bangladeshi guest worker Tajir was transferred to the "Gemini" cruise ship. A total of about 1,500 guest workers who had contracted the disease but recovered and engaged in non-essential services were carried here.
On the boat, in addition to regularly checking his temperature, Tagil also chatted with new friends and exercised. Every three to four days, he and other guest unions take turns on the deck and enjoy more than 40 minutes of sunshine and fresh air.
People in all walks of life in Singapore are also taking active actions. Some employers ordered masks and medicines in large quantities and distributed them to guest workers. There are private organizations that specifically set up an online platform to help guest workers upgrade their skills and relieve worries. Many people have initiated donations and donations.
"In this epidemic, Singapore has not drove us away." Seeing people from all walks of life reaching out one after another, on May 28, Bangladesh guest worker Zing Xing couldn't help but sighed on social media.
Zha Xing was admitted to the hospital in early May due to infection with the new coronavirus. During the illness, his children in his hometown ushered in their 1st birthday. "I told the nurse that this day was my son's birthday. When people entered the (ward), they would always let me pass on their birthday wishes to my son. I was moved to cry."
Zhaxing has worked in this country for nearly 9 years. "We left our families and dreams and came to work in this exotic land, but in this country, we are not alone." "When the new crown virus enters the lives of our guest workers, the support of the Singaporean government is like in the dark Dawn. The Singapore government and Singaporeans have given us support, care, respect and warmth."
Singapore uses luxury cruise ships as dormitories to house new workers who have recovered from pneumonia.
"I also want to work in Singapore"
Huang Xuncai, Minister of National Development and Second Minister of Finance of Singapore, pointed out recently that the anti-epidemic work in guest dormitory has made good progress. The Singapore government stated that it will set up nursing and rehabilitation facilities in dormitories with severe epidemics, build new dormitories to accommodate healthy and rehabilitated guest workers, and work with employers to ensure the safe resumption of guest workers.
The first confirmed diagnosis of guest worker Sarkar's new coronavirus has also turned negative. A few days ago, he specially recorded a video, thanking all circles for his help.
In the video, he repeatedly thanked the Singaporeans for praying for him and the government for providing him with free treatment. He also called on the guest workers to abide by the relevant regulations: don’t worry if you are sick, because the government “will definitely provide help and care”.
Speaking of plans after discharge, Sarkar, who has worked in Singapore for 10 years, said, "I want to go back to see my family, and I also hope to come to Singapore to work."
From June 19th, Singapore entered the second phase of "blocking measures" unblocking. On the shore of Marina Bay, the Merlion statue still stands, witnessing the gradual revival of this "garden city". (Finish)