You Want To Help
Some of us will do anything we can to help. If we don't give money, at least we can give time. However, some of us are suspicious of anything, including anything from the government. However, they can't make sensible decisions without information.
But, even if we trust the government, and it claims to come from the government, is it really from them? How do I know it didn't just pop up, sent by hacker's computerized system, seeing me on a government website? I have been approached by various organizations asking if I would volunteer for Covid-19 research. What made me stop and think? Or stop completely?
1 You might sign up and find that if you are not permanently resident in the country organizing the results that you are not eligible. Problem solved. I won't waste my time - and they won't waste theirs.
This is perfectly reasonable. Each country puts out its own statistics and makes its own predictions. Every morning my husband who is a statistician check the statistics of Covid-19 in half a dozen countries. Meanwhile, what am I doing?
Personal Questions
In one case I spent half an hour on a survey. Then, at the end, they wanted to know my income, and other personal questions. Why? I can see that certain questions would help them understand whether certain people are more vulnerable, or have certain attitudes. However, most government surveys allow you to say 'prefer not to answer'.
I suspected that the purpose of the survey was either to collect personal information, or to ask for money. So I discontinued answering.
Time
I also like to know how long a survey will take before I start. And if it is a long survey, whether I can stop and resume later. If I get a phone call or a delivery and come back and find my survey has timed out, I am not prepared to spend 30 minutes on a supposedly ten minute survey on a busy day.
Scam Search
Another solution would be to search for scams. Or to search for other sites referring disparagingly to the so-called government survey.
Government Warnings
Also search for scams information on the government's own site.
Bank Warnings
You know not to give away your credit card details or your password unless you have checked you are in a genuine website. If anybody wants you to do something 'urgently', it's probably a scam to prevent you checking with your family or other websites.
Who Is The sender?
If you get an email, check where it is from. Even if it claims to be from a bank or government, is it their usual font?
Many banks and government agencies have websites which include a page of warnings about scams, telling you what the government or bank will never do.
UK
From my UK GP a link:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/research/
But first check
https://www.ons.gov.uk/surveys/informationforhouseholdsandindividuals/protectingyoufromfraud
Singapore
https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/general/clarifications
USA
https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/consumer-alerts/fraud-alert-covid-19-scams/
About the author of this travel blog
Angela Lansbury is British born and bred but has also lived in the USA, Spain and Spingapore and visited countries around the worl
She is a semi-retired teacher of English language and literature and a member of Toastmasters International and five clubs, Harrovians in the UK, three in Singapore (BHA and TCA and Senja-Cashew), a club coach for Nee Soon South, and a member of online only club, Singapore Online Dynamic. To find a club go to Toastmasters International Find a club or look on Facebook. BHA meets the first Wednesday evening each month, login 6.45 for 7 pm start Singapore time (SGT), which is noon in London UK, during British summer time, until clocks go back the last Sunday in October when the UK reverts to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
