Free masks and thermometers for all households in Singapore before National Day, August 9th

Singapore Flag.

Ahead of Singapore's National Day, August 9th, the Singapore government has organized the distribution of a handy bag containing the Singapore flag to wave, and free masks and a thermometer for you before you leave home.

The householder collects the bag from a local distribution point by showing the NRIC (national registration identity card - equivalent to a passport) which is issued to all Singapore citizens and permanent residents.

What is the message?

1 The message on the bag is Together A Stronger Singapore.

2 The message is also the government is looking after you. I have seen lots of online discuss about what should be in the bag. The general opinion was a majority in favour of not spending on one off items such as baloons which would be thrown away and create litter. Instead, masks, items which were for the health of all ages and of permanent use.

The packet for the large flag has the explanation of the flag's meaning.

Useful Websites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Singaporean_patriotic_songs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_(Singapore)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ndp-funpack-collection-exercise-kicks-off-for-every-singaporean-and-pr-household

About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Follow me on Facebook. See my books Wedding Etiquette on Amazon and quick quotations Lulu.com

Thermometer Checks On Foreheads at Airports, Malls, Pools, Gyms: What Is It recording? C to F

Thermometer check for forehead. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

At Changi airport visitors arriving from overseas will pass a large monitor which records your temperature. 

To enter a shopping mall, public building, Community Club, or to swim in a Condominium, you sign in with your name, address, contact phone number, time or arrival, signature, and then have your temperature taken and recorded.

The thermometer is designed with different settings for babies, toddlers and adults. The reading is in centigrade. 

I usually ask them to tell me my temperature. This time I had the bright idea of asking if I could record it on my phone. Apparently your temperature can vary slightly during the day. It will be interesting to see how much, if at all, my temperature varies.

This time I was entering a swimming pool area. Masks are required everywhere except when excercising.

Taking the photo of my temperature enabled me to get a picture of the device used. I suspect that if I had asked to take a photo of the thermometer the official might have worried that I had some underhand motive, such as stealing it, complaining about it. Without knowing what I might be up to, he might have decided to err on the side of caution and declined permission. 

Generally, if somebody is smiling and happy they will say yes to a request. If they are unsmiling and look worried or cross, they are more likely to say no.

Anyway, I was lucky, and achieved my objective. I found out my temperature and interesting detials about the device. So if I want to order one online, I can see whether it has features I want, or don't need. Even if I don't bother to order one, I feel in control of my environment and I am happy.

35.6 C converts to 

96.08 F 

using rapid tables

35.6°C×9/5+32

= 96.08°F

This was taken after swimming because the desk was not manned on arrival.

You have the conversion chart.

If you take a photo or write down your temperature two or three days running you will know what is your normal temperature.

So, now you know, too.

Happy swimming, shopping, travelling.

In Singapore you can say thank you and goodbye in English. However, the other four official languages are Chinese (Mandarin), Malay, and Tamil, which you will hear in anouncements on the underground called the MRT. You might like to learn a little of the languages commonly used in coutnries you hope to visit this year or next year, at very least to recognize hello, thank you and goodbye.

Useful Websites On Thermometer Temperature Conversion

https://www.almanac.com/content/temperature-conversion

https://www.mathsisfun.com/temperature-conversion.html

https://www.rapidtables.com/convert/temperature/celsius-to-fahrenheit.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rescue_swimming

Author

Angela Lansbury

https://www.facebook.com/angela.lansbury.121

https://www.facebook.com/groups/polygotcommunity/

https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogs

https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2019/04/how-to-say-thank-you-in-several.html

https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2019/05/introducing-yourself-in-english-spanish.html

https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2020/01/second-set-of-portuguese-words.html Please share links to your favourite posts

https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club

translate.google.com

duolingo.com

Swimming in Singapore Resumes - with human body temperature checks

Swimming has resumed in Singapore. From Saturday 27th June 2019.

Silence and Noise
On Saturday nobody was around the swimming pool nor checking it. Silence.

Sunday, you can see and hear that the pool is open.

Off To Swim
As I approach the pool, trying to skirt around an official in a mask who steps foward into my path, he addresses me.

"Good morning, Ma-am. Would you sign in please?"

"Yes, of course."

At the desk, I have to write down on a sheet of columned paper, my name, unit (flat) number, time in, phone numbr, signature.

The official then takes my temperature with a thermometer alarmingly near my forehead and eyes. I try to dodge backwards.

He tells me, "Keep still". I keep still. The thermomenter touches my forehead.

Just what I was trying to avoid. Never mind. I shall have my forehead washed in the chlorinated swimming pool water.

I walk past the outdoor foot shower. Then the full height shower.  I don't want to touch anything which anybody else has touched.

I have just had a shower in my bathroom. In the olden days I would have had a shower anyway. Why? To get in the habit, reassure others, protect my reputation, and set a good example.

But today I don't want to touch anything.

I can hear an American mother talking to a swimming instructor. She is saying how much her daughter loves water, even in the bath. The mother pronounces bath as bath to rhyme with bat. American accent. New York accent?

American Accent
I listen again. The second time she pronounces it nearer to the British, London, pronounciation. I say bath to rhyme with laugh.

Time for my swim. I forgot to remove my mask.

Masks
You still have to wear a mask on your way to and from the pool. The lift lobby has signs about wearing masks.

I was half way across the pool before I realised that I was still wearing my mask.

Back to the lift lobby.

Hand Sanitiser
A hand sanitiser. Put your hand under it and nothing happens. You have to move. Swipe right and left and a drop of liquid descends.

I get into the lift and swipe the button with the back of my finger. But that was not sanitised. OK for others as I just came out of the swimming pool. But I must remember to put the back of my hand under the snatiser dispenser, or rub the liquid over both sides of my hand.

On Sunday.

Useful Websites On Swimming
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimming_stroke
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distress_signal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiopulmonary_resuscitation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_emergency_telephone_numbers

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.