Saturday, May 8, 2021

'They're not at fault': Netizens defend healthcare workers after some blame them for Covid-19 cluster at TTSH

Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/theyre-not-fault-netizens-defend-healthcare-workers-after-some-blame-them-covid-19
By Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 06 May 2021 at 05:05 pm


The first hospital cluster recently emerged with a nurse at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) testing positive for Covid-19 on April 27.
PHOTO: The first hospital cluster recently emerged with a nurse at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) testing positive for Covid-19 on April 27.
Picture posted by SingHealth is with Ah Boy Climber on 25 July 2017
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https://scontent.fsin9-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/20280448_10154871447275745_6493515672713288184_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=GJmOUnwKfmoAX_ZFVTS&_nc_oc=AQnJuILQx-CfGxJHTg4nr1bB81-_gDecmUTHENyjm-HA9ZZ75HYRY2YHcIhFVmPYX1c&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin9-2.fna&oh=edc89c66cf65bca53da5e415214f5cc6&oe=60BD7ECD
https://www.facebook.com/singhealth/posts/today-we-unveiled-the-new-standardised-uniforms-for-12000-singhealth-nurses-acro/10154871445380745/


The sounds of Singaporeans cheering and clapping by their windows for healthcare workers now seem like a distant memory. Since the end of the circuit breaker, the country has steadily moved through several phases of reopening.

That was until the first hospital cluster recently emerged with a nurse at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) testing positive for Covid-19 on April 27.

With 40 cases — of whom 10 are healthcare workers — as of Tuesday (May 4), the TTSH cluster is the largest among the 10 active clusters in Singapore.


With 40 cases — of whom 10 are healthcare workers — as of Tuesday (May 4), the TTSH cluster is the largest among the 10 active clusters in Singapore.
PHOTO: With 40 cases — of whom 10 are healthcare workers — as of Tuesday (May 4), the TTSH cluster is the largest among the 10 active clusters in Singapore.
While the hospital said it is working hard to contain the situation and protect both patients and staff, some netizens were quick to point the finger at healthcare workers.
Picture posted by Rei Kurohi, The Straits Times on 05 May 2020, 5:00 am SGT
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8yBLsqeYhOZ1-JFU-dBe0ANGZc2Afhw_UA-oxTNEdpXNprj4qzHaaWIgkzyGH7o4dHPjHIlF9qBJ5sXCmBCGYeGCfl3HmCX6zKU3en-olHZf66iUm5t8ehNOflxNkQZ1TRp1EKAfGCU/s860/rk_nurses_050520.jpg
https://static.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/article_pictrure_780x520_/public/articles/2020/05/05/rk_nurses_050520.jpg?itok=ZC_Ii9Z6&timestamp=1588634062
https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/66-healthcare-workers-infected-but-none-likely-in-the-course-of-work


As the country sees its worst spate of community infections in a year, authorities have tightened measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

While the hospital said it is working hard to contain the situation and protect both patients and staff, some netizens were quick to point the finger at healthcare workers.

In a recent tweet that went viral, a nurse lamented: "It's sad, really sad to know that a year ago nurses like me were called healthcare heroes. But now? We are the ones being blamed for the outbreak.


While the hospital said it is working hard to contain the situation and protect both patients and staff, some netizens were quick to point the finger at healthcare workers.
PHOTO: While the hospital said it is working hard to contain the situation and protect both patients and staff, some netizens were quick to point the finger at healthcare workers.
PHOTO: Screengrab/Twitter
Picture posted by Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 06 May 2021 at 05:05 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCFq3qnMBh-IekNQeB8xxZbxSx8j433PZIqTrQZT5SgW-eZT6kjW46MuauLDjE2ME4rk_dsHb-Z75Fhfn2X9Js2SvmJaIImg4tMhfAo38mTDPDMSGzkSJVvtTGgaHgfTCBQ7cRge1vMU/s800/20210506%25E2%2580%2594commentnew.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210506%E2%80%94commentnew.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/theyre-not-fault-netizens-defend-healthcare-workers-after-some-blame-them-covid-19


"We sacrificed our lives to protect yours."

Although the tweet was deleted, it was reposted onto several social media platforms.

On Tuesday, nurses and their relatives shared similar experiences, with one alleging that a nurse was turned away when she took her sick child to a clinic.


On Tuesday, nurses and their relatives shared similar experiences, with one alleging that a nurse was turned away when she took her sick child to a clinic.
PHOTO: On Tuesday, nurses and their relatives shared similar experiences, with one alleging that a nurse was turned away when she took her sick child to a clinic.
PHOTO: Screengrab/Twitter
Picture posted by Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 06 May 2021 at 05:05 pm
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/theyre-not-fault-netizens-defend-healthcare-workers-after-some-blame-them-covid-19


A Stomp contributor shared a screenshot of a cancelled private hire ride, claiming that the driver cancelled the booking after realising the passenger was a doctor at the hospital.


Stomper A said on Sunday (May 2): "Doctor friend of mine who works at Tan Tock Seng Hospital had his Grab ride cancelled...

Posted by Stomp on Monday, May 3, 2021

Posted by Stomp on Monday, 03 May 2021 at 05:43 pm
https://www.facebook.com/straitstimes.stomp/photos/a.228017343896382/4266092746755468/?type=3


In the midst of online negativity towards the nurse who was the first in the hospital cluster to test positive for Covid-19, a netizen came to her defence, explaining on Instagram Stories that it didn't necessarily mean that she was the first person to have caught the virus.

They pointed out how another case in the cluster had exhibited symptoms days before the nurse did.

"If not for [the nurse] who was vigilant enough to do the right thing and went for testing, the virus would keep spreading under our noses," they said.


They pointed out how another case in the cluster had exhibited symptoms days before the nurse did.
PHOTO: They pointed out how another case in the cluster had exhibited symptoms days before the nurse did.
"If not for [the nurse] who was vigilant enough to do the right thing and went for testing, the virus would keep spreading under our noses," they said.
Picture posted by Goh Chiew Tong, ChannelNewsAsia on 03 May 2020 at 06:02AM - Dr Lim Wen Phei compiled a toolkit for frontline healthcare workers within 24 hours. (Photo: Tan Tock Seng Hospital)  
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jlRu5SICdskcixhXxDEAnEfHsIqeNdG7sUgE_rcIixQU86qlsXSWVknhZUdsAK01r3J_TIgmnLf_W0o7WLRq9qA-mvZMIpjHEt_dZG92bFGDmBJNFgQc13rAFT0cCRckCZNRCbiytiA/s2048/ttsh-mental-health-2.jpg
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/image/12669324/0x0/3024/3940/10126a82c427f5ae5972206b92c0251b/xI/ttsh-mental-health-2.jpg
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-guarding-against-burnout-trauma-ttsh-ncid-frontline-12669280


Do not shun healthcare workers, says MOH's Kenneth Mak
Speaking at the virtual multi-ministry task force press conference on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health's director of medical services Professor Kenneth Mak said TTSH healthcare workers should not be shunned.


Do not shun healthcare workers, says MOH's Kenneth Mak
PHOTO: Do not shun healthcare workers, says MOH's Kenneth Mak
Speaking at the virtual multi-ministry task force press conference on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health's director of medical services Professor Kenneth Mak said TTSH healthcare workers should not be shunned.
"This is a concern for us because these workers are well and they have committed a lot of time and energy towards looking after patients in TTSH," he said.
Picture posted by The Straits Times on 01 August 2020 - A Tribute to Nurses
PHOTO: Dr Monica Chan says it was “anxiety-provoking” when the National Centre for Infectious Diseases confirmed its first coronavirus case.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Picture posted by Sumiko Tan, sumiko@sph.com, Executive Editor, The Straits Times on March 2020
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Dr_Monica_Chan.png
https://static.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/attachments/2020/03/03/asia_report_mar2020_low_res.pdf


As patient numbers rise, NCID has deployed more medical teams on the ground.
PHOTO: As patient numbers rise, NCID has deployed more medical teams on the ground. Dr Chan says doctors from neighbouring Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) have been roped in to help out, leave has been frozen and most training has been cancelled. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Picture posted by Sumiko Tan, sumiko@sph.com, Executive Editor, The Straits Times on March 2020
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVivr2UC9P9awyY_TcJHDekab6FRqMkmTYFjsL7d83SYbPt8IXW9qkAT1rdpNnoi4rvhlerWHiFCPfI1sB9O5mGQVmrxYTZogyCLwrjP7A_sQbWGozS1TWUSBoR3w_Wnl7OI6lXUGCVxI/s666/Staff_TTSH.png
Staff_TTSH.png
https://static.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/attachments/2020/03/03/asia_report_mar2020_low_res.pdf


"This is a concern for us because these workers are well and they have committed a lot of time and energy towards looking after patients in TTSH," he said.

Noting reports of the personnel being turned away by their landlords, he urged Singaporeans to show support to the workers and their welfare as it was "very important" during this difficult time.


Professor Kenneth Mak said TTSH healthcare workers should not be shunned.
PHOTO: Professor Kenneth Mak said TTSH healthcare workers should not be shunned.
"This is a concern for us because these workers are well and they have committed a lot of time and energy towards looking after patients in TTSH," he said.
Noting reports of the personnel being turned away by their landlords, he urged Singaporeans to show support to the workers and their welfare as it was "very important" during this difficult time.
PHOTO: Screengrab/Twitter
Picture posted by Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 06 May 2021 at 05:05 pm
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https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210506%E2%80%94comment06.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/theyre-not-fault-netizens-defend-healthcare-workers-after-some-blame-them-covid-19


While some netizens commented that it was understandable for people to be afraid of healthcare workers out of safety concerns, others called them out for being selfish and implored them to spare a thought for healthcare workers.


While some netizens commented that it was understandable for people to be afraid of healthcare workers out of safety concerns, others called them out for being selfish and implored them to spare a thought for healthcare workers.
PHOTO: While some netizens commented that it was understandable for people to be afraid of healthcare workers out of safety concerns, others called them out for being selfish and implored them to spare a thought for healthcare workers.
Picture posted by Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 06 May 2021 at 05:05 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0R1sURjwJR7yPmyaZBvd_DmBR-jIpmPndGXyfeXlCS30c8BfJY0c5z5LVA_RwfKbQpP8FEIf-gQGh80OTfOICtq2R-zDcX019uXNtEm73L085En7sBfP8HAMH0lPgLBe0HcWR5pBIwA/s800/20210506_comment05.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210506_comment05.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/theyre-not-fault-netizens-defend-healthcare-workers-after-some-blame-them-covid-19


Numerous netizens showed their support by encouraging and thanking healthcare workers for fighting the pandemic on the front line, with one saying: "We should applaud them for their heroism."


Numerous netizens showed their support by encouraging and thanking healthcare workers for fighting the pandemic on the front line
PHOTO: Numerous netizens showed their support by encouraging and thanking healthcare workers for fighting the pandemic on the front line, with one saying: "We should applaud them for their heroism."
Picture posted by Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 06 May 2021 at 05:05 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYLu-h28SHxUuoD6FGPMggUgGPn9DBzPD1H8hX1llJteSy1EYE4KSegqGeGAyaeM4v_wyWVV7Kd056sPNKrRj04Gtn9EEc_ZIw298aNrfzRArhs5i12JO7uyvzKX6Jm6d-ly08cqhnZM/s800/ttshsupport.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ttshsupport.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/theyre-not-fault-netizens-defend-healthcare-workers-after-some-blame-them-covid-19


Last year, nurses in Singapore were ostracised for wearing their uniform as people believed they "[walked] around with virus on [them]". One of them shared that she was mocked and shamed by her neighbours, who yelled "virus" and sprayed her with disinfectant whenever he saw her.


The sounds of Singaporeans cheering and clapping by their windows for healthcare workers now seem like a distant memory.
PHOTO: The sounds of Singaporeans cheering and clapping by their windows for healthcare workers now seem like a distant memory. Since the end of the circuit breaker, the country has steadily moved through several phases of reopening.
Picture posted by Nét Đẹp Việt (Viet's Beauty) on 28 October 2017
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToRHpcZ6A4QqyPo7yWmdBsbs-fJ-b1bmYpXGPHak5VEHBikuYU2ZoD__wJKZ4oxv-NH7OGGppq-H2NxCTZwtNPI1_Vatq2e5QwTcm-m_EvJtJApuorEzbBhz_Nhhn-EtesiLikAcV8_M/s2048/26213778609_26509e715b_k_1.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/4503/26213778609_26509e715b_k.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23709108@N05/26213778609/in/photostream


In a recent tweet that went viral, a nurse lamented
PHOTO: In a recent tweet that went viral, a nurse lamented: "It's sad, really sad to know that a year ago nurses like me were called healthcare heroes. But now? We are the ones being blamed for the outbreak."
Picture posted by Natalie Dragon| on 31 October 2019 - Nurses at higher risk of vicarious trauma
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc5zMBownrF-XlioD1o-jgooaVAMgf3lQ6dbUb6ve-iglSCOS-SK_iblENhcHfIQGz63dTAreRY4x7uR8QokN8dvIDSZrYbXzaGY_f8CmPldABOOunF8NMomNfyWYYZQxlTwcoLCum48/s1348/Vicarious-trauma-story-web.jpg
https://anmj.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vicarious-trauma-story-web.jpg
https://anmj.org.au/nurses-at-higher-risk-of-vicarious-trauma/


Numerous netizens showed their support by encouraging and thanking healthcare workers for fighting the pandemic on the front line
PHOTO: Numerous netizens showed their support by encouraging and thanking healthcare workers for fighting the pandemic on the front line, with one saying: "We should applaud them for their heroism."
Picture posted by nguyenxuanphan2001 on 07 March 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShmojuCdI5Iv8oUU97Xy5TyNxO9NLQaHLPY-JwS2fFAJi6RfIxGr5py62zDnApUALJ7BYVofEbVhh3SF8vqAXoXiCBQeO1sNbWe9lS4L5rxOhsZpp2l_qo1p5kLmvNVHXE54G0fMUaaQ/s960/16122293893_120f8a0b8c_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/8606/16122293893_120f8a0b8c_b.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/77262142@N08/16122293893/in/photostream/

By Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 06 May 2021 at 05:05 pm
Reference
[1] Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 'They're not at fault': Netizens defend healthcare workers after some blame them for Covid-19 cluster at TTSH, posted on 06 May 2021 at 05:05 pm, https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/theyre-not-fault-netizens-defend-healthcare-workers-after-some-blame-them-covid-19


Links
a nurse at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) testing positive for Covid-19 - https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/tan-tock-seng-hospital-nurse-doctor-and-3-patients-test-positive-covid-19-affected-ward

10 active clusters in Singapore - https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/10-active-covid-19-clusters-singapore-new-case-wednesday-pasir-panjang-terminal

authorities have tightened measures - https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/social-gathering-rules-be-tightened-starting-saturday-no-more-hanging-out-groups-8-amid

TTSH healthcare workers should not be shunned - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COzGyhpEqVk&t=3383s

ostracised for wearing their uniform - https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/you-nurses-always-walk-around-virus-you-nurses-shunned-ostracised-wearing-uniform

sprayed her with disinfectant - https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/virus-virus-nurse-mocked-shamed-and-sprayed-disinfectant-neighbours-daily





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