Posts Tagged ‘COVID’

Tech Focus: Making it Safe to Live and Work in Endemic COVID

Wednesday, March 30th, 2022

The world is coming to terms with having to live with COVID-19 for a while to come. Apart from population-level vaccination to enhance our resistance against the disease, how can we make our living and working environment safer from the SARS-COV-2 virus that causes the disease?

Jitender Khurana shares how UVC disinfection technology provides an effective means of sanitising the air and surfaces around us in an efficient and sustainable way. Most importantly, it can be implemented at scale without breaking the bank! Jitender Khurana is the Country Head & Managing Director for Singapore and Emerging Markets, Southeast Asia at Signify.

When will life go back to what it was like in pre-pandemic days? Will it ever? Image: Signify.

When will life go back to what it was like in pre-pandemic days? Will it ever? Image: Signify.

After more than two years and six million deaths globally, the world is still reeling from the humanitarian and economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SARS-COV-2 virus has infected almost half a billion people around the world to date, and continues to cause more than a million new cases of COVID-19 every day.

However, the pandemic shows no sign of slowing down, following the scourge of the Delta variant which swept across the earth, as well as the current Omicron variant.

“For true endemic living, I want to be able to attend concerts, work out at a gym, watch an indoor sports event and visit a public bathroom knowing that the air I’m breathing is safe from the SARS-COV-2 virus. All these aspirations can be fulfilled through air disinfection solutions harnessing UV-C technology – in conjunction with wearing masks, social distancing and vaccination.”

Even though no end is in sight for the pandemic, life and business must go on. Governments and companies need a solution that will provide employees and citizens with a safe working and public environment that is protected from COVID-19.

Like it or not, COVID-19 is not going away and all of us will have to learn how to live, work and play while the SARS-COV-2 virus hangs around us and the disease becomes endemic.

Welcome to the new normal of “Endemic Living”.

The silver lining in the cloud is that we have learnt much since the beginning of the pandemic – about the disease itself, the virus that causes it, the way it spreads, the safety measures and practices that would protect us from infection.

I believe we are ready to embark on this new phase of the pandemic, because we are equipped with the know-how and wherewithal to live safely and normally despite COVID-19. We now know that the reason COVID-19 is so contagious is that it can be transmitted over the air.

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Trends: Phishing Against SMBs Increase in Singapore & Region

Wednesday, September 16th, 2020

In the first half of 2020, phishing attempts targeting SMBs in Singapore increased by 61%, mirroring similar increases across South East Asian countries.

Number of phishing attempts against SMBs blocked by Kaspersky Anti-Phishing System, year-on-year.

Number of phishing attempts against SMBs blocked by Kaspersky Anti-Phishing System, year-on-year.

With the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating Singapore’s digitalisation efforts, SMBs have become the focal point of discussion for many, as funding worries and the shift to telecommuting have left them in no man’s land.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore continues to retain attraction as the region’s premier business hub, and speaks well of the local businesses’ ability to remain resilient despite headwinds from the global slowdown. However, almost half (41%) of businesses continue to express that the high costs of investment – lack of financing and funding – are major barriers holding them back from digitalisation. The implications of this statistic are significant, as it means cybersecurity may not be a key priority for businesses during this period of cost-cutting,” says Stephan Neumeier, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky.

While the Government has launched generous initiatives such as the new training and adult education industry digitalisation plan to augment SMBs’ competitiveness, malicious actors continue to find new ways to test businesses’ digital readiness.

According to Kaspersky’s latest statistics, the global cybersecurity company foiled 89,351 phishing attacks against SMBs in H1 2020, compared to 55,653 in the same period last year.

Although Singapore continues to fare better than their SMB counterparts in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to witness the lowest volume of phishing attacks in Southeast Asia, the 61% increase suggests that more can be done by Singapore’s SMBs to improve their cybersecurity.

More details below from the presentation and press release.

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Trends: COVID-19 Gives Impetus to Hybrid Working

Thursday, July 23rd, 2020

One of the impacts from the global COVID-19 pandemic is the rise of hybrid working, the new normal for businesses and organisations around the world.

* The slides in this article are extracted from Poly’s new report on how hybrid working will be the new collaborative imperative.

What to expect in the new normal of hybrid working.

What to expect in the new normal of hybrid working. Click on image to enlarge.

Working from home had always languished as the catch phrase for businesses aspiring to provide employees with a better work-life balance whilst maintaining a high level of performance.

Even though the requisite technology has been around and available for years now, the main stumbling block to greater adoption of working from home has been predominantly a cultural issue.

Four technology trends enabling hybrid working. Click on image to enlarge.

Four technology trends enabling hybrid working. Click on image to enlarge.

Companies are concerned that employees may not work as hard when left to their own devices at home, while employees worry that it is more difficult to get things done if they’re not physically working at the office.

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COVID-19: Which Sanitizer to Use for Post-Circuit Breaker Protection?

Saturday, June 20th, 2020

Phase 2 of post-Circuit Breaker measures has begun in Singapore. As we venture out of #WorkFromHome & #HomeBasedLearning to meet more people and visit more places, here’s a good hand sanitiser that is not only effective but allows you to enjoy prolonged protection without any skin irritation.

* This story was first published in Haleness Me.

There are so many sanitisers out there in the market, what are the characteristics to look out for when choosing a good sanitiser

There are so many sanitisers out there in the market, what are the characteristics to look out for when choosing a good sanitiser?

There are many sanitisers available out there – how should we select one that will fulfill the task of protecting us from COVID-19, over an extended period of time?

When it comes to skin sanitisers, who better to get advice from than a skin specialist?

This was what I learned from Dr Coni Liu, a consultant dermatologist from DS Skin Clinic in Singapore.

Firstly, the sanitiser must be effective, not only against the SARS-COV-2 but against most pathogens that we encounter on a daily basis.

After all, that’s why we are applying a hand sanitiser right?

Generally, there are two types of hand sanitisers – alcohol-based and non-alcohol based.

The alcohol-based sanitisers are more effective and fast-acting, while the non-alcohol based sanitisers are generally less effective and slow-acting – more suitable for object surfaces rather than the skin.

Secondly, it must be kind to the skin.

Many alcohol-based sanitisers are effective but tend to be dehydrating and harsh to the skin.

Thirdly, you need one that lasts over a longer period of time, to increase the effectiveness against germs, and to reduce the need for frequent application.

This will better protect one’s skin against the damaging effects of the sanitiser and neutralise the adverse effects of the alcohol content which is necessary for killing the germs.

Dr Coni Liu, Consultant Dermatologist at DS Skin & Wellness Clinic.

Dr Coni Liu, Consultant Dermatologist at DS Skin & Wellness Clinic.

Therefore, the perfect sanitizer would be highly-effective, long-lasting, and would have a formulation which protects and moisturises the skin.

Looking at the sanitisers available in the market, they’re either alcohol-based and effective in killing germs but are unkind to our skins – or they’re non-alcohol-based but are less effective and slow acting.

Apparently that was the dilemma that Dr Liu faced when her patients asked her to recommend a good hand sanitizer that satisfied these requirements.

And guess what, she and her fellow dermatologists highlighted this problem to their boss – Dr Henry Loh – and he commissioned DS Skin Clinic’s in-house scientist Dr Richard Seow to develop a hand sanitiser that met all these needs.

To cut a long story short, after an extensive but rapid local research and development effort, DS Skin Clinic has come up with a hand sanitiser that immediately kills 99.99% of most household germs, including the SARS-COV-2 virus; lasts for 24 hours; and which is gentle to the skin through the inclusion of an emollient oil.

The DS Skin Clinic All-Day Hand Sanitizer was just launched two days ago – just in time for Phase 2 of the post-CB measures.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Read the details about the hand sanitiser below from the press release.

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Canon Singapore Launches Safe Entry Solution for Retail & Offices

Thursday, June 18th, 2020

The system consists of a device with a camera, temperature screening and a scanner that reads the identification card of a visitor for an integrated safe entry experience. As the solution is also a self-service system, workplaces can reduce manpower managing entry stations.

Canon's new all-in-one entry-control system: FACTS.

Canon’s new all-in-one entry-control system: FACTS.

Canon Singapore announced today the launch of a digital check-in solution which enables businesses to facilitate contactless, fast and easy temperature screening and entry/exit recording for staff and customers.

The solution, which is known as Facial Access Control Temperature System (FACTS), uses an 8-inch tablet which combines the functions of a camera, infrared thermography, near-field communication (NFC) device, barcode scanner and data storage.

The tablet is a third-party device distributed by Canon Singapore.

To check in, visitors should stand within 0.5 to 0.7metre from the device to have their temperature screened via the infrared thermography.

If the visitor’s temperature is within a predetermined range, a green text box will be shown to indicate that the visitor has passed the temperature screening.

This will be accompanied by an automated voice message which says, “temperature normal”.

The device will then request for the visitor’s identity, which can be quickly obtained by scanning the visitor’s identification cards such as NRIC (the latest digital version is also accepted) and driver’s license at the barcode scanner.

The device also can be set to automatically take a photo of the visitor, if required.

It takes just a few seconds to complete the entire process.

FACTS can also be used to facilitate the use of Singapore’s national digital check-in system, SafeEntry, to help retail stores, offices and other businesses comply with safe management measures at the workplace.

More details below from the press release.

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Sharp Air Purifiers Fight COVID Viruses With Plasmacluster Technology

Monday, April 20th, 2020

Sharp boasts that the air purifiers – with its patented plasmacluster technology – are the first in the world to inactivate airborne corona viruses. Prices below.

With over 80 million units of these air purifiers sold worldwide, the J80 (in this photo) and J60 will be fully stocked come Mid-May.

With over 80 million units of these air purifiers sold worldwide, the J80 (in this photo) and J60 will be fully stocked come Mid-May.

With most people staying home during the COVID-19 outbreak, here’s something to enhance safety and air hygiene at home – Sharp Air Purifiers with patented Plasmacluster™️ technology, proven to fight bacteria and viruses, including the Corona Viruses (although it has yet to be tested for SARS-Cov-2 virus that causes COVID-19).

Separate research done in 2004, 2009, and 2015 have proven that the Plasmacluster™ technology in all Sharp Air Purifiers can effectively fight various types of bacteria and flu viruses – including A/H1N1, H5N1, H7N9, FCoV (which belongs to the coronavirus group).

The Plasmacluster™ technology can provide skin-beautifying effects, and are proven to improve users’ skin conditions for a few scientific reasons; improvement of skin elasticity and texture, curbs excess sebum on skin and results in smoother skin.

Product specifications and prices below.

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ViewQwest Offers Network Solutions For Work From Home

Friday, April 10th, 2020

With the government’s Circuit Breaker measures to fight COVID-19 in Singapore, ViewQwest has offered employees working from home get faster and more secure access to their companies’ IT services.

ViewQwest offers various networking solutions for personal and business use.

ViewQwest offers various networking solutions for personal and business use.

Work-from-home staff are facing network congestion as they connect to office networks via VPN, competing for bandwidth with their family’s entertainment needs over the same residential broadband pipe.

The ViewQwest Private Network offers a Work-from-Home (WFH) solution that installs a second residential broadband line that can connect the user directly and privately to the office network without VPN.

ViewQwest is also offering its Cloud VPN solution to provide businesses with an on-demand VPN service that can be easily scaled.

More details below from the press release.

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Google Doodles Celebrates Hand Washing for COVID-19

Saturday, March 21st, 2020

Hand washing is one of the most effective preventive measures against COVID-19 – the disease ravaging the world now. Google Doodles is recognising Ignaz Semmelweis – the Hungarian physician who discovered the medical benefits of handwashing.

* This story first appeared on Haleness Me.

Google Doodles celebrates Ignaz Semmelweis and handwashing. Click to watch the video.

Google Doodles celebrates Ignaz Semmelweis and handwashing. Click to watch the video.

Dr Ignaz Semmelweis was appointed Chief Resident in the maternity clinic of the Vienna General Hospital 173 years ago in 1847, where he deduced and demonstrated that requiring doctors to disinfect their hands vastly reduced the transmission of disease.

Print out this poster on proper handwashing techniques.

Print out this poster on proper handwashing techniques.

Semmelweis had noticed that a mysterious and poorly understood infection known as “childbed fever” was leading to high mortality rates in new mothers in maternity wards across Europe in the mid-19th century.

Semmelweis deduced that the doctors were transmitting infectious material from prior operations and autopsies to susceptible mothers through their hands.

He required doctors to wash their hands with chlorinated lime water before examining pregnant women.

As a result, the documented mortality rate plunged from 18% to 2.2% over a period of a year.

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