Muscle when stressed

SINGAPORE - During the debate on the budget for the Ministry of Social and Family Development on Friday (March 5), MPs called for coordinated community initiatives and accessibility to social services. They also noted the stress that the Covid-19 pandemic has placed on families. Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC) Better coordinate community initiatives Ms Phua noted that on the long weekend before Chinese New Year, she met groups distributing lunch bento boxes to the same group of rental residents. She said: "A common sight on the ground especially in rental housing estates is an overlap of services such as free distribution of food, masks and groceries; health screening and home cleaning." She asked if there was an effective way of coordinating such initiatives so there is less wastage and better allocation of precious resources. Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC) Have mini social service offices To make it easier for families and persons in need to seek help, Ms Pereira ... » Learn More about MPs call for focus on domestic violence, supporting marriages during pandemic

For the past two months, Ms Catherine Kwek has been on long walks every weekend to fill the void left by the closure of golf courses. The 45-year-old, who works in logistics, will soon be able to return to her passion, after sports facilities were yesterday given the green light to reopen on Friday. These include stadiums, swimming complexes, sports halls, hard courts, gyms, fitness studios and bowling centres. This guidance also applies to similar facilities in private settings such as condominiums and golf and country clubs. Ms Kwek, who used to play golf thrice a week, told The Straits Times: "Over the weekends, it was definitely a must to golf, so not playing golf during the weekend over the last two months felt like something was missing, and I was getting withdrawal symptoms. "I am excited and looking forward to playing golf again." Sports facilities here have been closed since April 7, when the circuit breaker measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus kicked in. ... » Learn More about Coronavirus: Sports community and enthusiasts cheer news of reopening of facilities

Quezon City Second District Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo has filed House Bill (HB) 8756 that seeks an early voting period for senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) starting in the 2022 elections, citing the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic. “It is safe to assume that the pandemic will still be here during the election period. Thus, it is important for Congress and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to take measures to help health authorities prevent the spread of Covid-19 among voters and the population in general,” Hipolito-Castelo said, stressing that the elderly and PWDs are among the most vulnerable to Covid-19. “They should be given the chance to cast their ballots without compromising their physical health and safety. Otherwise, thousands might just opt not to vote for fear of contracting the virus.” HB 8756 mandates the Commission on Elections to schedule early voting for senior citizens and PWDs in predesignated venues that are easily accessible within ... » Learn More about Castelo proposes early voting for senior citizens, PWDs

The Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm has applied for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its coronavirus vaccine. Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a briefing on Monday that Sinopharm submitted its application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In a press conference on Sunday following the arrival of 600,000 doses of another Chinese-developed vaccine CoronaVac President Rodrigo Duterte said his doctor recommended that he be vaccinated with a China-made vaccine. He refused to disclose the brand, but Roque let on earlier that Duterte preferred the Sinopharm vaccine. The FDA has granted EUAs to Pfizer, AstraZeneca and CoronaVac maker Sinovac. It also issued a compassionate use license for 10,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines for the members of the Presidential Security Group. Roque said the legal department of Malacañang was studying if the President could have the Sinopharm vaccine under the compassionate use license. He added that the President ... » Learn More about Sinopharm applies for emergency use

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has vowed that every Filipino will be given access to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines with consideration to the order of priority of sectors as determined by authorities and health experts. The chairman of the Senate Health committee said the vaccination program was based on science, not politics, especially when it comes to providing access to those who need them. “There’s no problem, you know, [these vaccines are] for all Filipinos, whether you’re a critic or you love us,” he said during a radio interview on February 28. Go added that the government treats everyone equally regardless of his or her political views. He urged critics to work with the government so the country could immediately recover from the pandemic. He added that it was alright to criticize the government so long as these alleged detractors do not spread misinformation or fake news. The same advice was given by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on ... » Learn More about No politics in access to vaccines – Bong Go

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said the “No vaccination, no work policy” that some employers plan to impose on their workers to compel them to be inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine is illegal. “It has no legal basis. It is discriminatory. We will come out with the necessary and appropriate department order to protect our workers,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said on Wednesday in a virtual press briefing. Bello stressed that workers have the right to decide whether to be vaccinated or not. “It is not legal for employers to require employees to be vaccinated before they can enter the workplace. It will be considered illegal suspension or illegal dismissal whatever action the employer will do if the employee does not get vaccinated,” Bello said. The Associated Labor Unions (ALU) on Tuesday sought the intervention of the Labor department following reports from member labor unions that some employers and business establishments plan to impose a “no ... » Learn More about DOLE: No vaccination, no work policy illegal

The first day of the coronavirus disease 2019 disease (Covid-19) vaccine rollout was a success, Malacañang said on Tuesday, a day after ceremonial inoculations were conducted using Sinovac Biotech’s vaccine. “Naging napakatagumpay po ng Day 1 ng ating national Covid-19 vaccination program (The first day of our national Covid-19 vaccination program has been very successful),” Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said. He added that the rollout gave medical frontliners peace of mind. “Maligaya po ang ating mga medical frontliners kasi nga po nagkaroon sila ng peace of mind na bagamat sila po ay exposed dito sa [coronavirus] ay meron na silang proteksyon ngayon (Medical frontliners were very happy because they now have peace of mind, while they have been exposed to the coronavirus, but now they have protection),” he said. Roque bared that 756 individuals were vaccinated on Monday in various hospitals. Inoculations continued on Tuesday at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, ... » Learn More about Vaccine rollout a success – Palace

Vaccinating “ambitiously” against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is critical in attaining sustained economic recovery, economist-lawmakers at the House of Representatives said. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman and Albay Second District Rep. Joey Salceda stressed that while easing community quarantine restrictions could help revive the ailing economy, the quick rollout of the vaccination program must be top priority to prevent a surge of infections that a reopening “will no doubt cause.” “Reopening will definitely help the economy, but we have to reopen for the right reasons. Deputy Minority Leader and Marikina City Second District Stella Luz Quimbo, also an economist, said vaccines are “urgently needed to avert” the economic losses and “get us onto the road to recovery.” “The Covid vaccine will be the main tool at our disposal to tread the path towards the new normal,” she added. Both lawmakers were concerned with the record-high contraction of the country’s ... » Learn More about Vaccines key to ‘new normal’

From Covid-19 (aka. SARS-COV-2) being a ‘man-made virus’ to 5G spreading the virus to coronavirus being ‘no worse than the seasonal flu’. The time spent at home has given crackpots extra time to search the dark corners of the internet to spin crazy theories that defy science or logic, and spreading more misinformation around the web. The impacts from this pandemic are stressful and devastating enough without people spreading nonsense. Jason Shepherd , who has a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, an Associate Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Utah and an Adjunct Assistant Professor, Neurobiology & Anatomy, has put pen to paper to do his best to debunk some of the favourite conspiracy theories or inaccuracies currently swirling around the internet. Other material has been added from other credible sources. Here’s is your latest myth round-up from The Thaiger. 1. People had Covid 19 before 2020 A few in China, ... » Learn More about 5G, Bill Gates, Chinese Labs and more Covid-19 myths

OPERATIVES from the Quezon City Police Department (QCPD) who were involved in the shootout with agents from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) appeared at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday. Around 20 operatives QCPD Special Operations Unit have turned up at the NBI main office in Manila after receiving a subpoena for their involvement in the “misencounter” at a Quezon City mall with PDEA operatives. They underwent questioning in the office of the bureau’s Metro Manila regional director Cesar Bacani. They also brought with them their affidavits about the incident. The police did not speak to the media before and after the inquiry. The operatives had previously gone to the NBI on Thursday but did not undergo questioning since they did not have their lawyers with them. A joint panel of the PNP and PDEA was initially formed to investigate, but President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the NBI to solely investigate the incident to ensure fairness and give ... » Learn More about Police in Quezon City shootout faces NBI