MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

The importance of getting your flu vaccine amid COVID-19

Truth be told, I used to think that the influenza vaccine is a travel vaccine. Dr Leong Choon Kit from Mission Medical Clinic identifies that the idea is a common misconception among people.

“So they may assume that since they are not travelling, the influenza (jab) is not needed,” he said.

Decline in people getting the flu vaccine

Doctors revealed the drop in the number of people getting the flu jab. They attributed it to the circuit breaker period and a general reluctance to visit clinics during the pandemic.

Dr Leong shared that the Ministry of Health (MOH) had previously advised against going to clinics for elective vaccinations. In addition to that, many people are trying their best not to visit clinics at the moment.

“I think most people are distracted by the COVID-19 outbreak,” he said.

A dose of influenza vaccination is recommended per year

Image Credits: MOH

As advised under the MOH’s National Adult Immunisation Schedule, one dose of influenza vaccination is recommended annually or per flu season.

“This is for optimal protection against circulating influenza viruses, especially when the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 are similar and not easily distinguishable,” said MOH.

Flu season usually highest at the end of the year

“There will be a challenge to distinguish flu symptoms from COVID symptoms as both diseases circulate simultaneously. Getting flu shots will hopefully reduce the background noise,” Farrer Park Hospital’s infectious diseases specialist Dr Lam Mun San said.

Dr Leong adds that it is more important for the population to be vaccinated against influenza now. Compared to the other years, there’s an even more urgent need this year.

Getting a flu vaccination may help reduce the strain on healthcare facilities

Image Credits: The Straits Times

Dr Barnaby Young from the National Centre for Infectious Diseases’ (NCID) advises us to follow MOH’s advice on vaccinations.

“Vaccinations are safe and effective at preventing influenza infections, they can reduce the strain on clinics and hospitals during flu season, and will protect vulnerable people in the community.”

NCID’s clinical director Dr Shawn Vasoo also explained from a public health and resource perspective. Minimizing influenza rates or preventing it may put less strain on testing resources and better use of hospitalisations or isolation beds for patients who might need it more.

Dr Vasoo also shared that with the easing of borders and social restrictions in the community, our country may see a rise in acute respiratory infections and COVID-19 cases.

“Getting an influenza jab can help to prevent and decrease the circulation, morbidity and consequences from both diseases and is therefore a useful tool, both at a public health and at an individual level,” he added.

Maid sentenced to four weeks’ jail for stealing cash and items from her employer’s family

A 46-year-old Indonesian maid, Rina Tilaar, was sentenced to four weeks’ jail after pleading guilty to two counts of theft as a servant and one charge of theft.

For theft by a servant, she could have been jailed for up to seven years and fined.

Started stealing between February and May 2020

Rina started work with her employer and family at the end of January this year. Over a span of four months, she started stealing cash and items from her employer’s family.

Employer’s mother noticed missing cash and her coin pouch

Image Credits: Braun Buffel

During the crime period, the employer’s mother started noticing missing cash amounts from her wallet in her bedroom. Her Braun Buffel coin pouch worth S$150 also went missing.

Employer and his wife also not spared

The employer’s wife also experienced missing items in March. She had placed a cardholder with cash of S$52 and an EZ-Link card on a table in the living room, but could not find those items after.

Following the incident, the wife found out in April that a total of S$200 in cash was missing from her wallet in her bedroom on four occasions. On May 19, she discovered S$20 missing from her wallet.

Between mid-April and May, Rina’s 39-year-old employer also realized that a total of S$300 had gone missing from his wallet.

Police were informed on May 21

Image Credits: todayonline.com

On May 21, the couple checked Rina’s belongings while she was out. They found a total cash amount of S$1,203.95 in a Braun Buffel coin pouch.

At the start of her employment, Rina had signed a declaration form stating her possession of only a cash amount of S$17.70 and 200 Indonesian rupiah (S$0.20). Her employer also transfers her monthly salary directly to her Indonesian bank account, said State Prosecuting Officer Nasri Haron.

Since the amount was higher than what their helper had initially declared, they called the police.

Rina pleaded guilty

She confessed to taking cash of about S$1,000 from the family, a Braun Buffel coin pouch belonging to her employer’s mother, and the cardholder and EZ-Link card from her employer’s wife.

Her side of the story

“She drop porridge on my hand and (poke me) with the chopstick,” she cried via a video-link from her place of remand.

“I never use this money. My employer lie to me. She do wrong to me, I never complain to police and MOM (Ministry of Manpower). But I just quiet because I want to work.”

She said she did not use the money she stole and had taken it because her employer treated her like an animal. The judge rejected her plea as she did not admit to the acts. To which Rina reversed her claims and pleaded for leniency instead.

“I am very sorry to the court, to my employers and to my agencies and also to Your Honour,” she said.

Considering the recovered amounts and items, District Judge Ong Hian Sun gave Rina four weeks’ jail.

Furama RiverFront is offering work-from-hotel passes from S$15

While the economy is slowly opening up, most of us are still stuck with working from home. Well, not that we’re complaining since the arrangement has its pros. However, as with most things, too much of it isn’t that beneficial.

If you’re looking for an affordable way to get out of home, Furama RiverFront along Havelock Road is offering work-from-hotel passes from S$15.

Daily passes from S$15

Image Credits: Furama RiverFront

First up, we have the daily passes. They cost S$15 and promise fast speed wifi access and free-flow beverages like coffee, tea, juices, and soft drinks. In addition to that, you will receive a parking coupon if you’re driving.

Here are other benefits that come with the pass:

10% off total bill at any restaurants in the hotel. You can use the discount multiple times during the validity of the Daily Pass. However, it’s not applicable to other promotional offers or items.
S$10 dining credits applicable to all restaurants and food counters in the hotel. You may use it with other promotional offers or discounts.
2 hours of free play at Waka Waka for one child. Access for additional children will be payable at Waka Waka directly at regular price. Complimentary tea is available for accompanying adults at Waka Waka. Pre-booking your time slot for playtime at Waka Waka is needed.
Access to meeting spaces, with presentation equipment, will be provided upon request but is subject to availability. The first hour is complimentary, after which, charges will apply.
Complimentary mail service by the concierge which includes arranging for couriers and mail posting. Stamps are complimentary.
Printing services by the concierge for A4 black and white up to 30 pages are possible. But colour prints are chargeable.

Monthly passes from S$250

Furama RiverFront Waterfall Lounge with piano

Image Credits: Furama RiverFront

If you tried working at Furama RiverFront for a day and think you might want to commit to buying a pass for a month, go ahead! It only costs S$250 for a month. Complimentary daily parking coupons will be provided so those who are driving don’t have to worry about incurring extra charges for time spent at the hotel.

Here are some other perks tagged to the monthly pass:

20% off total bill at any restaurants in the hotel. You can use the discount multiple times during the validity of the Monthly Pass. However, it’s not applicable to other promotional offers or items.
$200 dining credits applicable to all restaurants and food counters in the hotel. You may use it with other promotional offers or discounts.
2 hours of free play at Waka Waka for one child. Access for additional children will be payable at Waka Waka directly at regular price. Complimentary tea is available for accompanying adults at Waka Waka. Please pre-book your time slot for playtime at Waka Waka here.
Access to meeting spaces, with presentation equipment will be provided upon request and subject to availability. The first hour is complimentary, after which, charges will be applied for the room and the presentation equipment.
Complimentary mail service by the concierge which includes arranging for couriers, mail handling, and mail posting. Stamps are complimentary.
Printing services by the concierge for A4 black and white up to 30 pages are possible. But colour prints are chargeable.
Discounted Waka Waka Explorer pass.
Complimentary access to Workshops at Waka Waka (subject to availability).
38% off room reservation at Furama RiverFront. Applicable for one-time redemption.
Complimentary storage provided by the concierge*.

*The management reserves the right to inspect and reject any items that cannot be properly and safely stored.

Where to purchase the passes?

Image Credits: Furama RiverFront

All in all, working from Furama RiverFront sounds like a great idea with the perks at a glance. You can purchase your e-passes here.

You may also view their FAQs and T&Cs by clicking through the link. Have a query for the hotel? Email the team at [email protected] or call/message +65 8908 2600 to reach them.

These four food products with slimming effects contain a banned substance and a laxative

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a news release on Thursday (Sep 10) that these four food products sold online include a banned substance and a laxative that could cause serious adverse effects if consumed:

Nutriline Thinsline
Nutriline Cleansline
Wholly Fitz Passion Lemon Tea
KiMiSo Dark Chocolate

The range of products was sold on platforms such as Shopee, Qoo10, Facebook, and Instagram. “HSA has issued warnings to the sellers of these four products and directed the respective website administrators to take down the affected listings,” noted HSA.

“All sellers and suppliers must stop selling these products immediately. It is illegal to sell and supply adulterated products containing banned substances or potent medicinal ingredients.”

If convicted, sellers and suppliers could face up to two years in jail and/or fined up to S$10,000.

Nutriline Thinsline & Nutriline Cleansline

Nutriline Thinsline and Nutriline Cleansline products

Image Credits: CNA

A banned substance in Singapore named sibutramine was present in Nutriline Thinsline. Sibutramine was banned in Singapore since 2010 because of a rise in the risk of heart attacks and strokes for people who consume it.

A woman who consumed a sachet of Nutriline Thinsline reported to HSA that she experienced extreme thirst, irregular heartbeat, and loss of appetite.

On the other hand, Nutriline Cleansline contained sennoside, a laxative. The two Nutriline products are usually sold in pairs and advertised as natural supplements for detoxification and weight loss. There are also claims to increase metabolism rate and curb appetite.

In fact, this is not the first time Nutriline products are coming into the spotlight. In 2017, another Nutriline product named Nutriline Bluvelle was also found to have the banned substance, sibutramine. It had caused increased heartbeat, dizziness, and anxiety in a consumer, HSA said.

Wholly Fitz Passion Lemon Tea

Image Credits: CNA

The banned substance – sibutramine – was also found in Wholly Fitz Passion Lemon Tea. If the name sounds familiar to you, that’s because earlier this year, a product named Freaky Fitz Passion Lemon Tea was found to contain the same banned substance by HSA.

KiMiSo Dark Chocolate

Image Credits: CNA

KiMiSo Dark Chocolate contained both sibutramine and diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. Diphenhydramine causes drowsiness, which can increase the risk of accidents if one were to drive or operate machinery.

A consumer suspected that KiMiSo Dark Chocolate might contain potent ingredients after reading the reviews on the product.

What to do if you’ve taken these products?

First, stop consuming immediately. If you’re feeling unwell or concerned with the health effects, seek medical attention.

Going forward, it’s also wise to be aware of unfamiliar brands that are sold online. This is especially so for products that promise exaggerated weight loss possibilities within a short span of time.

When in doubt, report to the HSA via email at [email protected] or phone them at 6866 3485.

Jalan Besar and Tanjong Pagar residents to receive TraceTogether tokens first from Sep 14

TraceTogether tokens will be distributed to all Singapore residents from Sep 14. Residents in the Jalan Besar and Tanjong Pagar regions will be the first to receive the tokens from Sep 14.

This is due to the presence of more elderly people in the two mentioned areas. The Ministry of Health (MOH) explained that the older folks may have more challenges using the TraceTogether app and are more vulnerable to COVID-19, thus the move to start with the selected regions first. In fact, about 10,000 senior citizens have already received these tokens at the end of June.

Collection points will be available throughout Singapore gradually.

Adding on to SafeEntry to enhance safety

Image Credits: Gov.sg

“Supplementing SafeEntry with proximity data from TT (TraceTogether) will enhance safety for participants, as they will be ensured of coverage under the TT programme,” MOH wrote in their press release.

“This will ensure better confidence in mitigating the risk of formation of large clusters, and could allow for a safer increase in capacity limits at these events and premises with any potential future easing of measures,” the ministry added.

More trials to start progressively from October

The deployment of SafeEntry that requires the use of either the TraceTogether app or token to check-in at venues was tested at Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) events last month.

Singapore residents can expect more trials next month onwards at larger-scale business events, F&B outlets, cinemas, gyms, and at certain workplaces.

To comply with the measures, one has to scan the venue’s QR code using the TraceTogether app or have the venue employee scan the QR code on the token.

Speed of contact tracing is important

Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation initiative Vivian Balakrishnan said that the speed of contact tracing is key at this stage. Since we’re now at a phase where the economy is beginning to open up, with larger-scale business events resuming.

“In the last few months, because of the increasing use of digital tools and data from SafeEntry and TraceTogether, we’ve been able to reduce the time needed to identify and isolate close contacts of positive cases from about three to four days in the past. Now, for most cases, it’s less than a day,” Dr Balakrishnan said.

“So the point is that speed matters,” he added.

Collection of TraceTogether tokens

Image Credits: Token Go Where

All residents aged 7 and above can collect a token at their designated CCs when distribution starts in their area. This includes pass holders.

Simply bring along your original ID to collect your token. You may also collect them on behalf of your family members by bringing along their IDs.

For more information, please go to the TokenGoWhere website.