Thoughts after having had a bout of COVID

 Its been 2 weeks since my return to normal life after testing positive for COVID. I was fortunate to have a very mild case of it, and my symptoms were typical of an asymptomatic patient.

I did not have any fever, body aches, running nose.

I only had some sore throat, and a dry cough which came and went.

The most telling symptom of the COVID was the loss of smell and taste. This most precious of my body's function came back after 5 days and I am so thankful for this. 

So, 2 days before the very day when I tested positive, I had an inkling that I may have been exposed to it, as my friend whom I had lunch 2 days ago told me that he had tested positive and was feeling awful.

I immediately self isolated myself in my own attic room, and informed my family that I was a 'close contact' of a confirmed COVID case. 

2 days later, after taking ART tests every day since he informed me, I tested positive.

I was prepared, and I am considered one of the lucky ones who had a case of mild COVID.

The number of vaccinations I took could have also have acted as a 'shield immunity' for my system as I had taken in total, 4 jabs. Let me elaborate.

On April 7th, I registered and took my first jab of Moderna.

6 days later, I came down with a bad case of hives and was almost warded in Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Fortunately my hives subsided after 3 days, after taking antihistamine and steroids to control the outbreak.

I then was put on a program by the MOH to take the Chinese Sinovac (2 doses) in August.

In September, when undergoing a routine blood test, my doctor advised me to take the annual 'flu vaccine which I readily did and paid for.

Hence, my opinion was that because I had 4 shots against COVID and 'flu which is also a coronavirus, I believe my system held up very well against this dreaded virus which has decimated millions of people around the world and led to untold economic hardship and struggles from China to all parts of the world.

My self isolation meant that I had to do the following :

a) No direct contact with anyone for up to 10 days.

b) All food and drink had to be in separate utensils and plates, cups which were separately washed.

c) On the 9th day, I managed to get a negative COVID test. Although it gave me the all clear to go out, I decided to stay away for 1 more day just to play it safe.

d) Hence I only resumed daily activities outside of my room from the 10th day onwards.

My thoughts about having the COVID : 

1. Singapore is a wealthy country and we have the means to keep the death rate low. We are indeed fortunate as we have funds to get the best vaccines, best medical care, and services to manage the pandemic.

2. I will never ever neglect to take my annual 'flu vaccine.

3. I have resolved to cut my drinking by 50% until it reaches a level of perhaps once a month.

    It currently is once every 2 weeks. This will not only manage my weight and also keep diabetes and other illnesses in check.

4. I resolve to remain as healthy by allocating one meal per day soley for fruits and vegetables 

5. I realise that I can deal with isolation pretty well, as I do not need physical presence as much as some other people who also need to be around people. My personality type is 

ENTJ - which is Commander and that means he who leads other people. 

Most commanders do not have the luxury of having many friends as they have to make many crucial decisions which affect the armies, companies with a very cold and calculated thought process wthich ultimately affects the lives of many of their solders and their employees.

I do enjoy the solitude of that 9 days. I am not totally in a cave with no access to the outside world. Far from it, but the fact that I do not desire the interpersonal presence of people as much as some in our society. The animal most associated with this is the Eagle. 

Going forward, I can advise whoever who reads this blog post to practice 

1. maintain a full vaccination status ; 

2. avoid going to crowded places

3. take the annual 'flu jabs

4. stay as healthy as you can possibly be. Your immune system is your first and last line of defence. Do not sabotage yourself by excessive drinking, partying, overwork or denying yourself sleep.

5. Minimise social interaction. We are still 70% on the recovery trend but not totally. So we need to be street smart and vigilant every single day.  

It is not worth catching this disease if you did not observe point no. 4 above.

Carpe Diem ! 

 

Learning is a Life Long and Never Ending Process.

I manage a small business. Times are tough and business is not easy. We have been through ups and downs, and COVID endemic Singapore is pivoting into the new uncharted territories and my company is ready to take on the new challenges and opportunities.

I am thankful for the Government to make available, 2 training courses at practically zero cost to me in the last 2 years. 

1. SGUnited Skills Business and Digital Transformation Programme conducted by SMU Academy from 7 Oct 2020 till 6 July 2021.

2. SMU Innovation Program Cohort Innovative Mindset 

SMU Academy 6 March 2021 - 17 April 2021.

These 2 course have helped me take stock of where I was as a business owner. I had the tremendous opportunity to learn new things and apply new mindsets to pivot my business using the omni channel strategy to market our products and services worldwide.

The takeaways from these courses I will keep and more importantly, implement in the triumvurate of my mindset, my thought processes and my actions going forward.

The 2 courses and the people I have met recently have given me clarity of thought, solidified my values, made me change my old and bad habits and most importantly, shown me a path ahead which will ultimately lead my small business into (hopefully) many good things.

I will write about the takeaways in separate blog posts soon.

I have understood the true meaning of Lifelong Learning. 

I must never stand still and think that I have 'made it'. That is the biggest lie I will be telling to myself and those around me.

The journey of life is the reward. The accumulation of physical things like assets, property, awards and money along our lives is nothing more than rosettes to validate that we indeed made a mark in our own little biosphere. Pass on the knowledge and experience gained to the next generation to help make our complex world more equitable and less maleovent. We have only one precious earth to live in.

Suffering, change and life's challenges are inevitable. 

Learn  to adapt with those dynamic events. They help us grow in wisdom.

Help the disadvantaged, as with each act of kindness, we validate our existence to serve and continue to build on our capabilities. 

Hwang Hee Chan - Remember this Name.

        Previously from Red Bull Salzberg 

In the summer, Wolves manager Bruno Lage secured the loan of this striker Hwang Hee Chan, from RB Salzberg. The option was also to make him a permanent transfer of BGP 14 milion after 1 season.

With 7 appearences under his belt, he has scored an AMAZING 4 (+1 disallowed against Everton) goals in the Premier League.

A versatile player who can shoot from both feet, I wasn;t impressed that they signed a South Korean player. Boy I was wrong. 

He is emerging to be a top class striker taking to the Premier League like a duck to water. He is big, strong, useful on both feet, unselfish (like a certain Diogo Jota) and can create as well as he can score goals.

His first came from a scramble at Vicarage Road (Watford home ground).

The next 2 came against Newcastle at Molineux.

The 4th goal came at Ellend Road (Leeds home ground) 

The 5th (disallowed) was a superb toe - in against Everton which was deemed to be offiside by VAR.

This boy is a great compliment to Raul Jiminez as they are both out and out strikers, with killer instinct and impeccable timing.

Wolves now have a potent strike force who can deliver the goods any day anytime against all opponents.

In their forwards department, they now have

a) Raul Jiminez

b) Hwang Hee Chan

c) Adama Traore

d) Francisco Trincao

e) Pedro Neto (injured)

f) Daniel Podence

As long as the back 3 are strong, with the likes of Coady, Saiss, Kilman, then their wingbacks of Semedo / Boly and Marcal / Dendoncker compliment the engine room boys of Neves and Moutinho.

 I predict Wolves to be in the top 4 by the end of the season to battle for Champions League place with the top clubs.

GO THE WOLVES !! 

  

Bruno Lage Interview post Everton victory 01 Nov 2021

 

I am so wrong about this manager, Bruno. I take my hat off to you.

 

In trying times, the stalwarts of Wolves carry the day.

In stressful times, Wolves stalwarts came to the fore to save, nay win the day.

This is THE derby between Aston Villa and Wolves. For so long, Wolves had played second fiddle to Villa in the Midlands and this was something of a grudge match for Wolves.

I am but a fair weather fan who has seen the worst of times of this proud club, but I can safely say that club's the best days are ahead. I was wrong to write them off especially with Bruno Lage - a relatively unknown manager to me, but a Champion manager with Benefica and the Super Cup, I am ready to say I am totally wrong and quite hopeless as a forecaster.

The match was scrappy from start till end, testament to the fact that both sets of players wanted so badly to be the match winner. Boths sides had their share of the strikes at goal, but Villa struck twice, early in the second half.

First was a sweet header from a great cross by John McGinn and Danny Ings (ex- Southampton and current England striker) was there to head home pass Jose Sa.

The second goal was the result of a poor back pass by Hwang Lee Chang who stupidly gave away the ball to Villa striker Matt Targett, who shot and upon the richochet, John McGinn struck to the extreme left of Sa's goal. 

Villa 2 Wolves 0

Things were looking bleak for Wolves, but they had a never say die attitude.

Right on the 80th minute after a short corner, the ball came to Reuben Neves, who passed an inch perfect ball to Daniel Podence and his inswinger into Villa's final 3rd was sweetly met by who else, Romain Saiss, Wolves Moroccan defender with his outstretched left boot and passed the hapless Martinez.

On the stroke of the 85th minutes, from another corner, and set piece, the ball came to Podence (a masterstroke by Lage to put him ahead of Jiminez) who crossed the ball again, and left back Max Killman headed against the crossbar. That rattled the entire Villa defence and Killman got the ball back again, to pass it to Adama Traore. He deftly dribbled past 1 guy, attempted to appear he was going into the goal but sent an inch perfect pass again to Podence over the heads of 3 + 2 Villa players. That assist is my match winning play, the vision, the weight, the timing, are all the hallmarks of a worldclass player like Traore.

Podence lobbed the ball into the far end, and there was a mad scramble and Conor Coady, Wolves stalwart and England International was on had to scramble the ball into the net. Much to the dismay of the Villa defence who were in tatters.

At practically the last kick of the game, 95th minute, Reuben Neves hit a screamer of a shot at the Villa defence, it deflected one player and sent the keeper the wrong way to give Wolves a totally unbelievable lead 3  - 2 against the arch enemy !

One point I would like to state is that in crunch games when every kick and breath matters, who comes to the resuce ? The stalwarts. Those who have stayed with the club for 4 seasons or more. I take off my hat to them.

a) Reuben Neves - 5 Seasons

b) Romain Saiss - 5 seasons

c) Conor Coady - 9 seasons

They are the unsung heroes in my mind. 

And today they are basking in glory - which they so thoroughly deserve ! 

 

      

There is a Time for Everything. Now is the time to be Brave.

The COVID 19 has hit Singapore's economy hard. People are reeling from the statistics that thousands are infected daily with the virus. Whilst a great percentage of them have very mild symptoms, the number of deaths have gone up, as a proportion of those who caught the virus.

Take for example, last year, we had a total of 32 deaths per 60,000 infected. Now, with the caseloads reaching 3,000 daily, we see everyday, deaths of people from all ages. 

Now is the time to be brave. Our Government has kept on flip flopping on the opening and shutting of the  economy, with dining restrictions ranging from 0 to 2 to 5, back to 0 then 5 then 2. There are too many clusters and asymptomatic carriers all over the place.

It makes for a bad  impression, as once we were held as a model for COVID-19 containment and control and now we are practically the highest in the world in terms of infection per 100,000 population.

Why did our Government drop the ball, and so badly ?

I don't have the answers only questions, and the sentiment on the ground, to put it mildly is sour.

So in this time of economic uncertainty, global warming and general gloominess, lets take stock of our 'lot'.

1.We have a very high percentage of fully vaccinated people (over 80% of the total population).

2. Many (slightly more than 98 %) will experience no or very mild symptoms if they catch it and they will recover, just like the common 'flu.

3.The 1.8% or so will need medical care, hospitalisation and oxygen. Some will require ICU attention and some will be overwhelmed by this disease and pass away. Whilst the majority of deaths are above 60 (I am perilously close to that "magic age") the overwhelming majority of cases had pre-existing co-morbidities so, their immune systems were weak to start with.

The COVID 19 was the tipping point of the equilibrium.

This makes for very sober reading as all of us, as we age will encounter illness, some mild and some life threatening. Cancer, diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure are the most common diseases which have established themselves into our everyday vocabulary.

So, what do we do ?

We need to study the science and decide for ourselves whether vaccines DO or DO NOT protect us from this terrible disease. For the most part, most reports conclude that they DO.

So, please go and get vaccinated.

We need to take charge of our own health.

1. East nutritious foods

2. Exercise regularly

3. Sleep well and have enough sleep

4. Go for our 'flu and 3rd booster jabs when they become due

5. Release stress as best as we can.

We need to be brave to carry out our daily chores and NOT be afraid to go about and do what must be done.

                                                    My did my annual 'flu jab recently