Here are 10 things you need to know about Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines

Just last week on Nov 9, Pfizer made known that its experimental COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90 per cent effective. Pfizer and German partner BioNTech are the first drugmakers to release such data. But fast forward to today, we have a new player in town and the name to note is Moderna. According to the company, its experimental vaccine is 94.5 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19.

With so much hype surrounding this topic, here are 10 things you need to know about Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Image Credits: Nikkei Asia

#1: More than 90 per cent effective

As we’ve briefly mentioned in the introduction, Pfizer’s vaccine is more than 90 per cent effective. This means that if 9 out of 10 people were to get the vaccine, they would attain immunity.

This is terrific news for many because previously, health experts have revealed that even a vaccine with an efficacy rating of between 60% to 70% would be a huge thing to rejoice for! Some governments were also ready to approve a vaccine if it only has a 50% efficacy rating. 

But now, Pfizer is raising the stakes with a possible vaccine that could break the virus chain. In fact, Britain’s health minister Matt Hancock mentioned on Nov 16, “We’ll be ready to roll (the Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine) out as soon as it comes, we’ll be ready from the first of December…, but more likely is that we may be able to start rolling it out before Christmas.”

#2: Uncertainty on the period of effectiveness

While Pfizer’s vaccine is more than 90 per cent effective, no one knows how long it will be useful for. In other words, we have no idea how long the immunity gained from the vaccine can last us. It could be days, months, or years. Looking on the bright side, maybe it could be forever?

Another unknown factor is its successfulness on the profile of COVID-19 patients. There is little or no evidence that the vaccine works on COVID-19 severe cases, such as people who require hospitalisation for the virus.

#3: Vaccinated people may still carry the disease
asians wearing masks at a train station

Image Credits: LA Times

Talking about uncertainty, there’s the variability that vaccinated people could still carry SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 and be infectious.

So even if one were to be injected with the vaccine and go about his or her day-to-day activities immune, he or she could still present a threat to others who aren’t vaccinated.

#4: Not a one-and-done deal

It will be delusional to think that it’s a one-shot all kill kind of super vaccine. A person will need at least two doses of the vaccine with a period of three weeks apart.

This could pose potential logistical and supply chain problems because supposedly everyone on earth requires that vaccine, then Pfizer will need to supply about 15 billion doses to meet the demand.

#5: Waiting time needed to get the vaccines

All good things must wait? Well, the economy is looking up for selected countries with the announcement of Pfizer’s initial trial results.

If approved, only 50 million doses would be available by the end of 2020. There’s also an estimate that only 1.3 billion quantities will be ready by the end of 2021. Mind you; there’s an estimate of 7.8 billion people in the world. With double doses needed, the supply vastly falls short.

Also, the need to store the vaccine at temperatures of -70°C or below poses a challenge for some countries, for example, in Asia, Africa, and Latin America who are already battling intense heat.

Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

Image Credits: The Guardian

#6: Has a 94.5 per cent efficacy rate

Based on an interim data from a late-stage trial, Moderna said on Nov 16 that its experimental vaccine is 94.5 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19. This makes them the second US drugmaker to report such outstanding results.

But it’s important to note that the announced rating came after studying only 95 participants out of a total of 30,000 participants. While a little hope keeps the world going, it’s essential to wait for the updated results from the ongoing phase three trial. The outcome can overturn within a few days.

#7: At least two doses of the vaccine needed

If you’ve read the article in full, you would have known that Moderna’s vaccine is similar to Pfizer’s in terms of the doses needed. There will be a few weeks of waiting time required between the first and second shot.

A news report has it that after taking the second dose, a notable proportion of volunteers went through severe aches and pains. To be exact, 10 per cent experienced fatigue that interfered with their daily activities, while another 9 per cent had severe body aches. In response, Moderna feedback that the symptoms were short-lived.

#8: Questions about safety linger
man taking a vaccine

Image Credits: BBC News

Similar to Pfizer’s, Moderna’s vaccine may have potential red flags. Apart from the side effects, as stated above, the public is not yet sure if there are other more severe consequences. For example, there is one possibility that it might cause cancer in the future.

BBC News reported that there are no significant safety concerns at the moment but highlights that nothing is 100% safe. But having said that, the public has nothing to worry about as Moderna can only apply for the US emergency use authorisation (EUA) after a two-month follow-up safety data.

#9: Does not require extreme cold storage

Compared to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine which needs to thrive at extremely low temperatures, Moderna’s can be stored at just -20°C during shipping.

In terms of shipping logistics and distribution, Moderna’s vaccine is much more well-positioned. Once it reaches a distribution centre, the vaccine can be defrosted and stored for up to 30 days in a refrigerator at only 2°C to 8°C. Thus, overcoming one of the most significant limitations of Pfizer’s.

#10: Distribution may start as soon as next month

If the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants Moderna EUA for the vaccine, Americans would probably be in line to get their first vaccination by December. At the time of writing, Pfizer has launched a pilot delivery programme for its experimental COVID-19 vaccine in New Mexico, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Texas.

However, even if Moderna has no green light, at least 20 million doses will still be available in December. This means that about 10 million people, most likely front-line healthcare workers, will receive the vaccine shots.

Vaccines at a glance

Pfizer vs Moderna COVID-19 vaccines

Image Credits: BBC News

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Travel experts reveal 7 other countries that Singapore could potentially set up air travel bubbles with

Seoul-Bukchon-Hanok-Village

The Singapore – Hong Kong air travel bubble was announced on Wednesday (Nov 11). By evening, flights from Singapore to Hong Kong on Nov 22 were sold out. Besides, online hotel booking platforms shared that searches rose nearly seven times just hours after the announcement. Travel deprived? I guess some of us are.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned in a Facebook post that if the arrangement is successful and the pandemic continues to stay under control for both countries, the public can look forward to an expansion of the bubble with more flights. He also added that more destinations could be considered as well.

Are you patiently waiting for Singapore to set up air travel bubbles with other countries? Travel experts reveal seven other countries that Singapore could potentially set up air travel bubbles with. Stay on this page if you want to find out if your favourite country has made into the list!

Vietnam
Golden Bridge on Ba Na Hills, Vietnam, Da Nang

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Mr Christopher Khoo, the managing director for international tourism consultancy Masterconsult Services, highlights that Vietnam could be an option for Singapore to form travel bubbles with.

At the time of writing, there are less than 1,500 COVID-19 cases in Vietnam. The country, with about 97 million people, has recorded only 35 COVID-19 deaths thus far. It could be widely due to its timely coronavirus response to promote the early practice of mask-wearing, according to Minh Cuong Duong, an Associate Lecturer at the School of Public Health and Community Medicine in Sydney.

“Naturally given their good state of COVID preparedness or COVID suppression, Vietnam would be a likely choice very soon. The (visitor) numbers may not be as great as some other ASEAN destinations, but they give us confidence,” Mr Khoo said.

Thailand
Thailand

Image Credits: TTR Weekly

Dr Wong King Yin, who is a digital and tourism marketing lecturer at Nanyang Technological University, shares that Thailand is a possibility.

Based on Google’s statistics, Thailand has reported over 3,800 cases with more than 3,700 people already recovered. There are 60 deaths in the country. News has it that Thailand are in talks with China to form a travel bubble. In fact, they currently have a Special Tourist Visa programme in place to allow tourists to enter the country under certain conditions.

China
The Great Wall of China

Image Credits: CNBC

While travel experts do not rule out the likelihood of an air travel bubble between Singapore and China, they shared that due to the country’s sizeable domestic tourism market, international travellers may not be as crucial.

Dr Wong adds, “I think there is the possibility, but they don’t need us… their domestic tourism has already recovered (to) pre-COVID (levels). So even if they don’t have international tourists, they are doing fine. They can still talk to different countries, but it is not their first priority.”

Speaking of China’s domestic tourism, the country saw a robust rebound over their ‘Golden Week’ in October. 637 million domestic tourists were recorded during the holiday season, already reaching 79% of 2019’s figure. Domestic tourism revenue generated has also acquired 69.9% of last year’s.

Mr Khoo indicates that China’s opening up for Singaporeans to enter could be part of their big picture to reopen their borders with reliable partners. Earlier this month, Singapore has already taken the first step to allow short-term visitors from mainland China to enter through the Air Travel Pass (ATP) program.

Japan & South Korea
Japan

Image Credits: Live Japan

Ngee Ann Polytechnic senior lecturer in tourism Michael Chiam expressed that Singapore would likely set up air travel bubbles with countries that currently have green and fast lane arrangements. That includes Japan and South Korea.

Mr Kevin Wee, a senior lecturer at Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Business Management, backs that claiming those with reciprocal green lane arrangements like Japan could have a higher chance to form a travel bubble with Singapore.

Kyodo News reported on Oct 30 that Japan would lift its entry ban on foreign travellers from November for non-tourist arrivals from several countries including Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, and Singapore.

Also, as written in a travel media report on Oct 28, the South Korean borders are open to visitors from the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK. Of course, that comes with the need for self-isolation or quarantine for 14 days. Travellers will also need to download the Self-Diagnosis Mobile App.

Australia & New Zealand
Australia

Image Credits: Business Insider

Dr Wong remarked that Australia and New Zealand are in her prediction. Experts also suggested the possibility of Singapore forming a travel bubble with Australia and New Zealand in the future.

“But it seems like they (are) more conservative in reopening their borders,” Dr Wong stated. “Although they would like tourists to bring them more GDP, higher GDP but then they have internal resources, so it’s okay (for them),” she added.

At the moment, Singapore has unilaterally opened its borders to travellers from a few countries, including Australia and New Zealand. Our Prime Minister has also requested Australia and New Zealand to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to ease border restrictions on Saturday (Nov 14).

 

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5 Attractive Work-From-Hotel Offers In Singapore

Although the Ministry of Manpower has updated its guidelines to allow more employees to return to the workplace, working from home remains to be the default job set-up as it adheres to the social distancing guidelines.

Despite this, not everyone is blessed with a peaceful space at home. Employees have to strike a balance between their personal and professional lives without being distracted with other factors. Concentrating on one’s tasks takes a whole lot of patience and discipline.

If you are looking for a suitable place for a rewarding workcation or a work-from-hotel option to escape the distractions inside your home, look no further than the places found on this list.

1. MANDARIN ORCHARD SINGAPORE

Introduce a new environment to your partner to refresh your minds. Book a Deluxe Room or a Suite at Mandarin Orchard Singapore if you want to work in a space with unlimited high-speed WiFi, refreshments, and 50% off the in-room dining options. Rates start from S$88++.

Mandarin Orchard Singapore offers packages for two through their Deluxe rooms and Suites. The former includes refreshments. While, the Suites include the award-winning restaurant Chatterbox’s signature Mandarin Chicken Rice set for two. Book a room from 7am to 7pm or 9am to 6pm. These packages are available from Monday to Friday (T&Cs apply).

2. MARRIOTT TANG PLAZA HOTEL

Enjoy a rewarding workday by hitting up the Orchard Road for some retail therapy (or Yuletide shopping) and staying in the Marriot Tang Plaza Hotel. It is conveniently located along the Orchard Road shopping belt.

You will be able to work inside a spacious room between 7am to 7pm. The deal includes complimentary parking, in-room beverage-making facilities, access to the hotel’s gym and pool facilities (i.e., by appointment only), and 30% off its dining options. Rates start at S$120++ (T&Cs apply).

3. FURAMA RIVERFRONT

Furama RiverFront indulges its guests with visually-pleasing spaces and comfortable lounges. If you do not want to book a room and prefer working outside of your home, you may consider working at the Furama RiverFront’s common lounge area.

You can get a day pass for S$28 and a monthly pass for S$450. Here are some of the inclusions of the daily pass according to its website (T&Cs apply):

a. $15 dining credits are applicable for all restaurants and food counters within the hotel
b. Free flow of coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks for the Pass Holder and one guest
c. 10% off total bill at any restaurants in the hotel
d. 12% off delivery and takeaways via Furama RiverFront or Furama City Centre’s online menu (food.furama.com) with a minimum order of S$80
e. Free weekday admission voucher to Waka Waka for 1 child
f. 1 Parking coupon for the Pass Holder (i.e., issued upon request)
g. S$10 off Style Theory’s Apparel Starter Plan
h. High-speed WiFi access

4. FAIRMONT SINGAPORE

Whether you are eager to book a room at Fairmont Singapore for work or play, you can enjoy its “Ultimate Daycation” package. For about S$145, you can use the Fairmont Room for two adults and two children. This package is available from Monday to Thursday at 8am to 7pm (T&Cs apply).

Inclusions are unlimited high-speed WiFi for multiple device, beverages, S$75 dining credits. These dining credits can be used at Skai, Mikuni, Prego, Anti:Dote, Clove or for in-room dining options. Guests will also have access to the hotel facilities such as the pool and spa (i.e., advance booking required). This offer is valid until December 30, 2020.

5. FULLERTON HOTEL SINGAPORE

It is not everyday that you can work in a neoclassical building with rich history that dates back to the 20s! The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s Work From Fullerton package offers 12 hours use of its rooms with access to the hotel’s facilities.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Inclusions are high-speed WiFi, in-room coffee and tea selection, access to the pool and gym, parking, and a dining credit of S$50. The maximum capacity for a room is three adults or two adults and two children. Inquire now as this package is available until November 30, 2020 only (T&Cs apply).

Sources: 1 & 2

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9 E-Wallets In Singapore That Let You Buy From Shops Hassle-Free

Aside from the explosion of rock music and big curls in the 80s, we were introduced to the cashless payment method called the General Interbank Recurring Order (GIRO). GIRO enabled its users to make convenient payments to billing organizations through their bank accounts. Since then, the digital cashless payment options have evolved dramatically. Nowadays, we can purchase items on online stores with a few taps of a button!

Let us get to know the nature and the examples of the e-wallets in Singapore.

HOW E-WALLETS WORK

Electronic wallets, e-wallets, digital wallets, or mobile wallets have taken over our lives in the previous months due to the effects of the global pandemic. E-wallets are virtual wallets, which are in collaboration with financial institutions (e.g., UOB or DBS), mobile service providers (e.g., SingTel), and international companies (e.g., Apple, Google, and Samsung). Many people have turned to cashless transactions to avoid carrying money or to avoid trips to the ATM.

E-wallets allow its users to store credit cards, debit cards, and loyalty cards into your device. Payments are made hassle-free as long as they are connected to your bank accounts or cards. Some e-wallets let you send and receive money through paperless transactions.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE USING AN E-WALLET

1. Which e-wallet do you want to get?

2. Does your preferred e-wallet have a maximum value that can be stored inside?

3. What is the expiry date for the money inside your potential e-wallet?

4. How much is the maximum value you can transfer out from an e-wallet per transaction?

5. Are there fees involved in top-up and other services?

POPULAR E-WALLETS IN SINGAPORE

1. Apple Pay

Apple Pay handles secure payment transactions between contactless terminals and Apple iOS devices. It can be used in 7-Eleven, Breadtalk, Giant, FairPrice, Uniqlo, and so much more.

2. SingTel Dash

Dash allows you to top-up your Singtel prepaid account or other Dash accounts to pay partner merchants in Singapore, Thailand, and Visa payWave partner merchants worldwide. You may pay online purchases through the Dash Visa Virtual Account and transfer funds within Singapore and to India, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

3. GrabPay

As the name suggests, GrabPay can be used to pay for Grab rides, GrabFood deliveries, and selected merchants with the GrabPay QR code. You can also use it with the GrabPay Card where MasterCard is accepted.

4. FavePay

FavePay is a quick and easy way to pay your favorite merchants and get instant cashback. FavePay accepts debit or credit cards (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, and American Express), GrabPay, Paypal, Boost Payment, and Air Asia Big Points. You can use the FavePay for selected merchants with the FavePay QR code.

5. AliPay

AliPay is a global payment platform with over 400 million users around the world. It is backed by the Chinese tech giant Alibaba and uses advanced encryption technology to ensure personal information and online payments are secured. It can be used to cover payments to ComfortDelGro and Prime taxis, Resorts World Sentosa, Metro, Singapore Zoo, Universal Studios, and more.

6. Google Pay

Google Pay is an online payment system developed by Google. It enables its users to pay for transactions with Android devices in-store and on supported websites. You can use it in-store at more than 80,000 checkout counters such as Cheers, Cold Storage, 7-Eleven, NTUC, McDonald’s, and Uniqlo.

7. DBS PayLah!

DBS PayLah! is a personal virtual wallet, which allows you to perform transactions such as Scan and Pay (NETS), funds transfer, QR Code payments, online purchases, and bill payments on-the-go. Discover its functions through the DBS PayLah! app.

8. NETSPay

NETSPay enables you to register your POSB/DBS ATM Card digitally. Once you have stored your cards, you may leave it at home and start paying with your smartphone. You can use this digital wallet to pay selected merchants in Singapore and Alipay Connect-enabled merchants in Japan.

9. EZ-Link Wallet

EZ-Link Wallet is personal mobile wallet within the EZ-Link app. You can use it to make payments conveniently at retail outlets domestically and overseas by scanning a QR Code or at an Alipay Connect-enabled merchant. Moreover, you can earn EZ-Link Rewards points for your transactions.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Use these information to make thoughtful decisions when it comes to your e-wallet and online payment transactions.

Sources: 1 & 2

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COVID-19 times – Can I not key my NETS ATM PIN?

Good ol’ NETS. What immediately comes to mind when we think about NETS is keying your ATM PIN, Singapore’s very own payment mode which we grew up with and is still an essential part of our lives today. NETS and PIN (aka NETS Pin) has become synonymous with what the brand has to offer – we see it in use everywhere we go, from supermarkets to prata shops and departmental stores.

But herein lies a conundrum: most of us do not know much else about NETS beyond NETS Pin. NETS actually has a variety of cashless payment modes such as eNETS, NETS FlashPay, NETS QR and NETS Contactless ATM card to name a few. Today we’ll be talking about NETS Contactless ATM card, which makes retail purchases a breeze during checkout.

What is NETS Contactless ATM card?

As the name suggests, NETS Contactless ATM card allows you to go contactless and tap your ATM card for purchases under S$100 instead of entering your card PIN during payments. It’s fast, seamless, and secure — every contactless card contains a highly sophisticated chip which performs a wide range of functions to maintain the card’s security, and can interact safely with a contactless terminal.

NETS Contactless ATM card is accessible to the majority of residents in Singapore as it’s essentially your ATM card with an added contactless payment function. Tap away using your contactless card without having to worry about tracking your expenditure or incurring late payment charges since payment is directly debited from your bank account.

How do I identify a NETS Contactless ATM card?

  • Step 1: Reach for your purse or wallet and grab your ATM card
  • Step 2: Make sure you grab one from DBS, OCBC, POSB, UOB, HSBC or Maybank
  • Step 3: Look for the NETS tap icon on the face of the card

For DBS/POSB, OCBC and UOB, only the above cards are NETS tap-enabled.

For HSBC & Maybank, NETS Tap icon is located at the back of the card.

Where can I get a NETS Contactless ATM card?

Don’t see the NETS tap icon on your ATM card? You can upgrade to a NETS tap-enabled ATM card by visiting any branch from the participating banks namely DBS/POSB, UOB, OCBC, HSBC and Maybank.

NETS Contactless ATM Card – the one card for your ATM, retail and transit needs.

Enter the wonderful world of cashless payment — from making cash withdrawals at the ATM to making payment at the supermarket, your NETS tap-enabled ATM card is the card to rule them all. What’s more, with a SimplyGo account, it can be used for your transit needs too! Save the hassle of queuing to top up your card and have your travel and fare history at the tip of your fingers.

Who knew commuting could be this easy-breezy?

Do all merchants accept NETS tap payments?

If a merchant accepts NETS, it’s likely that NETS tap payments will be welcomed as well. After all, NETS has more than 120,000 acceptance points islandwide. To be safe, just check in with the merchant before making payment! Supermarkets such as NTUC FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Giant, Cold Storage, and health & beauty retailers such as Watsons and Guardian all accept NETS tap payments. Start enjoying the joy of seamless and secure checkouts today!

Tap to Pay and Win $50 Every Month

What’s more, from now to 31 December 2020, tap to pay with your NETS Contactless ATM card and stand to win $50 every month! Simply spend $30 and be automatically enrolled into the draw.

Bonus: Are you a NETS merchant? Look here!

Hi there, familiar one! Curious to ascertain if your NETS terminal accepts NETS tap payments? You might not be aware of it, but most of our terminals are already embedded with the NETS tap function. Look out for the NETS tap logo on your terminal and have your customers tap their NETS Contactless ATM cards. The payment process and transaction fees are the same as NETS Pin. It’s that simple!

If your NETS terminal doesn’t have a NETS tap icon, it’s time to upgrade it! Contact NETS at [email protected] to get a complimentary terminal/software upgrade or for any queries you might have.

Pssst: For new merchants, you will also enjoy a 3-month subscription fee waiver when you apply for NETS POS terminal online before 31 December 2020!

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