Healthy Living 123 (Since 2007) 健康生活123: June 2022

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Covid-19 second booster notification 2022-06-29

[Sent by Gov.sg – 29 Jun 2022]

*Strengthening protection through vaccinations & boosters*

Those eligible and aged:

• 60 & above should take 1st booster w/o delay

• 80 & above + medically vulnerable encouraged to take 2nd booster about 5 months after 1st booster

• 50 to 79 years can choose to take 2nd booster

➡️ From 27 Jun, Mobile Vaccination Teams deployed to these locations for seniors to get vaccinated/boosted: vaccine.gov.sg/locations/mvt

➡️ All can walk into any Joint Testing & Vaccination Centre for vaccinations/boosters before 7pm

• List of centres: vaccine.gov.sg/locations/jtvc

➡️ From 18 Jul, all households will receive 10 ART kits

➡️ No changes to SMMs

• Mask-wearing required indoors; optional outdoors

go.gov.sg/mohpr270622

🔹 Reply 0️⃣ for more infobot updates on COVID-19 situation

《晚安，我的生命》之六

陈文茜脸书 2022-06-29

《晚安，我的生命》之六

我逐漸沒有「病識感」了。

每天吃半碗的藥物加上維他命，成為我的家常習慣。

血氧濃度92就吸氧，高於95就歡唱。

做點家事心跳138，嘴巴👄有點麻，很快躺下床，滿身大汗淋灕，深呼吸幾回，濕紙巾擦一下，再喝口水，如果加點吸氧，很快心跳就會降至83。

我如昔日做家事般，把這些一度困擾我的事，一一安排就緒。

這比準備文茜的世界周報，容易多了吧！

習慣了，日子好好過。

我不會再如往昔醒來，即在疼痛中直覺反應：Another Day, Another Fighting Day. 然後才自勉，只要活著，就要快樂迎接每一天。

半年了，我好像什麼感覺都漸行漸淡了。

因為清晨總是很快到來，因為還有更多夜晚降臨，因為我的「青春心情」還沒耗盡。

尤其因為這個世界還有許多我愛和愛我的人、狗、花、或者儘儘是爲了一朶玫瑰🌹。

一個人只要執著地相信無論什麼情況下，自己仍然可以追求幸福，沒有人可以使他落到真正悲慘的境地。

記得敍利亞有個「白色咖啡館」，主人看著族人逃亡至鄰國悲慘的命運，他決定留下來。火箭日日打過來，打過去，也不知是民兵、還是政府軍，他已不在乎，他堅持的是活著就要有生活的「品味」。

在傾廢炸毀一半的白牆屋內，白色咖啡屋的主人每天以愈來愈少的咖啡豆煮咖啡。説是屋內，屋頂也早已炸出一個大洞，鋼筋如刺露出，好像隨時可以穿透他的心臟。主人每天穿著白衣，風若徐吹，他優雅的煮咖啡，沙塵迎來，把咖啡蓋上蓋子。

過路人停下來，聊聊天，什麼都不必「長久」，這兒的生命故事就是這麼回事，在隨時可能死亡之前，保持一種笑容。

我常常想起「文茜的世界周報」六年前的這則報導⋯我不會問：白色咖啡屋還在嗎？

它的消失，是必然的。

正如我。

現在每一天和每個微不足道的進步，不論身體上的、知識上的，對我都是一種禮物。

我還是搬花，還是整理花園，將來我還有個夢，準備旅行。

我有一個夢，儘管生病了，只要藥物帶夠，一定繼續行走天下，尤其義大利。我知道自己的體力走不到十分鐘，即喘不過氣、心跳加速，怎麼旅行？

我有一個夢，把英製輪椅找工藝藝術家加上如南瓜車的鐵罩頂，然後交給「夏姿」王陳彩霞，請她幫我以蘇繡，車頂上的布料為帶點金的粉紅色，加上手工繡花，邊垂下是粉白色混合的流蘇：輪椅加上紫色鑲粉邊的絨布座椅套。

#生病的好處是妳好像快要翹了，妳想達成什麼願望，朋友都會盡力支持妳。

真是超級無敵特權！

所以我的夢想「輪椅」，將變身「女王出巡繞境車」：而且一定會實現！

佛羅倫斯大街走不了了，坐下來，煩牢朋友推車：休息夠了，站起來，繼續行走。羅馬Spanish Steps爬不上去，女王出巡車變成轎子，四個人合抬，最後幾階，我的朋友筋疲力盡，我卻下車優雅走完！（有點差勁）

我本來不是什麼壯遊阿爾卑斯山、聖母峰的攻頂山人，向來貴婦懶人出遊。

生病，什麼腦下垂體功能喪失，又不是腦袋全壞了，為什麼不拿出某些好權之人的毅力，「汲汲營營地」追求自己的未竟之夢呢？

我的疾病，不必也不能擋住我的偉大旅遊夢。

沒有一個人可以不負創傷地走出人生競技場的，這是芥川龍之介的話：寫在他的書籍「侏儒的話」。

但一個面臨衰老死亡的人，根本不會有這種感慨，都要走了，那來的「競技場」？還有什麼比「致命之疾病」更大的負傷？

在生病中只要能忘了疾病的人，便是巨人：她絕不會是「侏儒」。

這是人生走到最後篇章，我獲得的特權。自由了，這個世界的好惡，再也與我無關：何必在乎別人議論你？

事實上你走了以後，很快，沒．有．人．會．記．得．你。

一個人生病的時候，只有一件事會使你痛苦、疲勞、糾結，就是放不下，天天唸著自己生病這件事。

你不認命，以為自己可以活下來，活很久，甚至活成人瑞。你不甘願，你害怕生命盡頭。

我想對生病的人勸告：長壽，是老天爺生下來就給予人的基因。正如有人可以長得像劉德華，有人長得美如劉若英。我們都不是他們那樣的帥哥氣質美人，同樣的，我．們．多．數．人．都不會是長壽人瑞。

人生若到最後階段了，還在強求生命，多不智啊！

休管它一年、兩年、五年、十年⋯⋯抓住每一天，把日子過得淋灕盡致，每天睡覺前，道聲：晚安，我的生命！

這就是最大的「活著」！

人的恐懼，人的無知，人的自我，總是我的時間還剩多少？人對此的焦灼徘徊彷彿時刻軀體裡都在滲出恐懼的汗珠。

來吧，不要再浪費時間想像。

一起分享，當你還有一口氣的時候，記得帶上歡樂作為每天禮物。

是的，我們已經失去健康，但那只是我們生命中的某一件東西，我們還是可以快樂追夢，用各種方式，而且必要時「不擇手段」。

不必拿著匕首，到達終局。騷首弄姿，輪椅、哦，不、「女王出巡」招搖，那沿途的風景，還包括了你自己。

至少我衷心相信會有一個義大利美男子，至少為我詠唱一首「棕色少女」。

來吧。今晚我仍聽到大自然的響動，打開窗，熄了燈，為了更好地觀察外面的黑暗。看，我熄滅了室內的亮燈，卻看到戶外更多的景色。

做這件事可能花費一刻鐘，但我心裏已經延長了記憶，也等於延長了時間。

近期我最該為自己拍手喝采的是我檢查了腦袋超音波當天，毫不在意醫生的憂心，直接去Jamie Chen陳季敏的店，買了一頂青春洋溢的粉紅色草帽👒。

我告訴自己：以後，每照一次腦袋，買一頂！

Ulu Pandan Park Connector created interesting shapes on the ground.

Lee Hsien Loong Facebook 2022-06-29

The shadows cast by these walkway pillars along the Ulu Pandan Park Connector created interesting shapes on the ground.

Our island-wide park connector network links the many green spaces across Singapore. A nice way to explore, get some fresh air and observe nature, whether on foot or on wheels! – LHL

(Photo by me)

Once you stop learning you star dying

Why Singapore needs to refresh its social compact --- Straits Times 2022-06-29

Why Singapore needs to refresh its social compact

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/why-singapore-needs-to-refresh-its-social-compact

What is a social compact and why do we need to refresh ours?

Broadly speaking, a social compact is a shared understanding of how all of us in society relate to one another. It's about the respective roles and responsibilities of different groups. What should the Government, employers and the community do for workers and individuals? What are our obligations as individuals to one another and to society at large?

A social compact that is deemed fair by all segments of society will strengthen social capital and foster trust, and this is what will enable us to progress together as a nation. This is why it is so important for us to refresh and update our social compact, so that it remains fit for our changing context and circumstances.

Just consider the world around us. Over the past decade, we've seen many examples of fraying social compacts and more fractured societies. Look across Europe and North America, for example. Many people with difficulty coping have felt excluded from their nation's progress.

Their resentment has fuelled the growth of extremist political parties on both the far-right and the far-left. As a result, many societies have turned inwards and xenophobic, and they are unable to find a consensus on important national issues.

Fortunately, in Singapore, our situation is not as dire as in many of these countries. Economically, we are in better shape than most.

Throughout the last two years of the pandemic, we have stayed nimble and adapted quickly, and demonstrated a strong sense of social solidarity. Amid great adversity, we were able to come together, seize the opportunities ahead of us, and emerge stronger.

At a crossroads

But we find ourselves now at a crossroads in our nation's journey. All of us had expected a strong recovery from Covid-19, but now we have flown into stronger headwinds: We have a war raging in Europe fuelling global inflation, and possibly a recession - if not stagflation.

We also face rising geopolitical tensions, especially between the United States and China; disrupting supply chains and ushering in a more dangerous and bifurcated world.

Domestically, too, we have to deal with a number of social trends with long-term consequences: a rapidly ageing population; a concern that social mobility is slowing, with those who have done well pulling further ahead of the rest due to their entrenched advantages; and, with that, mounting anxieties among many of being displaced by others.

These are very real fears in our stressful society - the fear of not doing well enough, of being left behind.

I understand your concerns.

Our students feel pigeon-holed in a system where the stakes are high from very early in their lives.

Our graduates and workers are anxious about their careers; and worry that they will be priced out of the property market.

Our older workers sometimes struggle to be considered for new jobs after being displaced or retrenched.

Sometimes, those who do not meet the traditional yardsticks of merit may find opportunities closed to them. They may feel beaten down by early failure, and feel discouraged from trying again.

I know that these are genuine struggles that Singaporeans face - perhaps more so today than in the past. And I hope we will have honest conversations about these concerns, and how we can tackle them together.

The bottom line is that the world around us and our own society have changed, and will continue to change. So we know in our guts that it cannot be business-as-usual. For the stable state of affairs we now enjoy can easily be disrupted.

And if our social compact fails:

A large segment of Singaporeans will come to feel estranged from society, believing that the system is not on their side.

Trust in the Government and among various segments of society will plummet.

Politics in Singapore will turn nasty and polarised.

We will become a low trust society, like so many others in Asia and Europe.

And Singapore, if this were to happen, will surely fracture.

Conversely, if we strengthen our social compact, we can turn each set of challenges into opportunities. We can find the silver lining in whatever comes our way. We can be a bastion of stability and opportunity in this world. And we can leave behind a better Singapore for tomorrow.

At this juncture - as we prepare for a post-pandemic world; as we navigate an increasingly treacherous geopolitical situation; as my 4G team and I prepare to take on the mantle and lead Singapore forward - let us: re-affirm our fundamental values; re-examine our principles; review our priorities and policies - and chart our new way forward together.

This is what the Forward Singapore exercise is about.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Lawrence Wong launches 'Forward S'pore' to set out road map for a society that 'benefits many, not a few'

4G ministers to engage S'poreans in six areas to get views, update policies

What we hope to achieve

First, on how our economy is run, and whether the system benefits all or just the few.

Everyone knows we have long relied on open and free markets to grow the economy.

That must remain the case - for it is by staying open to investments and talent from around the world that we create wealth, keep our economy innovative and vibrant, and thus provide good jobs and better opportunities for Singaporeans.

But we also know that left unchecked, the workings of the free market can lead to excessive competition and rising inequalities. That's why we have always tempered extreme market outcomes and resisted a winner-takes-all economic regime.

For example, to stay open as an economy means having to accept some degree of competition from foreign workers and professionals.

I know this competition sometimes causes anxiety. That's why we have not left Singaporeans to fend for themselves, or allowed outcomes to be decided by market forces alone.

Instead, we have invested heavily in skills upgrading and retraining - and will continue to do so - so that Singaporeans are better equipped to compete fairly for good jobs.

And we will be passing a new law to ensure that all employers uphold fair employment practices.

At the same time, we will continue to update our policies to manage the inflow of work pass holders, and ensure they come into sectors where we need them the most - to complement, not to displace, our local workforce.

I want to assure everyone, Singaporeans and Singaporean workers will always be at the centre of everything we do.

In this same spirit, we will ensure that public housing remains affordable, especially for the young and first-timers.

We will continue to uplift our vulnerable workers through schemes like Workfare and the Progressive Wage Model. And we will further strengthen our progressive system of taxes and transfers, so that everyone contributes something, but those with more contribute more, to help those with less.

Second, on our system of meritocracy.

People debate about this a lot but meritocracy is still the best way to organise our society.

Why? Because it encourages people to strive and to make the best use of the opportunities available to them, and it preserves upward mobility.

After all, if we do not reward on merit, then what other alternatives do we have? Surely, we cannot do so on the basis of connections - just because I know someone - or networks, or worse, social pedigrees.

But we also know that meritocracy has its downsides. The rich can give their children more opportunities. Those who have succeeded by their merit naturally seek to pass on their advantages to their children by any means possible. So there is a risk of privilege being entrenched across generations.

We cannot abandon meritocracy, but I believe we can improve it and make ours a more open and compassionate meritocracy.

One way is to do more early in the life of every child, especially those from less well-off families, so that the circumstances of their birth do not determine their future in life.

Another approach is to broaden our conception of merit beyond academic credentials: to recognise and develop talents in diverse fields, and give our people opportunities to advance at multiple stages of their lives.

The most important change is not something that the Government can legislate into reality: we must all, as a society, learn to value the contributions of every worker in every profession and every field.

This means respecting all - including those in lower-income jobs - who keep society going in so many ways. Many of these unassuming workers are essential, as we all learnt during the pandemic - our hawkers, cleaning workers, food delivery riders, security officers, and so many more.

Let us all recognise them, treat them with dignity and respect, treat them kindly, never turn up our noses at anyone - and pay them well. This way, we can accord these workers a greater sense of dignity and sufficiency in life, and the opportunity to continue to improve their lives.

This is my deepest belief: I hope to see a society and a system that benefits many, not a few; that rewards a wide variety of talents, not a conventional or narrow few; that values and celebrates all individuals for who they are and what they can achieve; and provides all with opportunities to do better throughout their lives.

Third, on our system of social support.

In the Budget this year, I explained how the Government has been spending more over the years to strengthen our social safety nets.

But new forces of technological and economic disruptions require us to rethink if our current assurances are adequate.

In a more volatile job market, more Singaporeans will find themselves getting displaced and in financially precarious conditions. Or they may choose to take on platform jobs which, though more flexible, do not offer adequate safeguards for their employment, career progression, or longer-term needs.

And as our population ages, healthcare and retirement adequacy will become more critical to help our seniors live out their golden years with dignity.

I believe, as a society, we can and we must do more to provide greater assurances for our fellow Singaporeans.

That is why we will study how we can do more to help our workers tide over difficult times. And how we can better provide for our growing number of seniors.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Leadership style has to adapt to changing society: Lawrence Wong

Welfare policies come with trade-offs, including need to raise taxes: Lawrence Wong

Of course, all this will require more resources. That's why we must also collectively determine how much more the Government should spend - and on what, as well as how much more our people are prepared to pay to fund this spending.

Beyond that, we must also consider how families, corporates and the community can complement what the Government is doing. For it is only when we all chip in that we can better support one another, especially the most vulnerable amongst us, to weather the storms that may come our way.

Finally, on our solidarity.

Some things should not, cannot, can never change - like our fundamental principle of multiracialism.

Our diversity is a source of strength, but it also requires constant adjustments to make sure we get the balance right: to progressively expand our common space, while allowing each community as much room as possible to go about its way of life.

Crucially, a strong social compact must provide not just for this generation's needs, but it must also provide across generations.

We are fortunate to have inherited a well-endowed Singapore. We owe this to the foresight and prudence of past generations and this was why we were able to pass successive Budgets to fund critical schemes, and help workers and families tide over Covid-19.

It is our sacred duty not to squander what we have inherited.

If we were to use up more than our fair share of fiscal resources today, or neglect taking care of the environment, our children and our future generations will end up paying the price: they will be left with bigger challenges down the road.

So even as we tackle the challenges of today, we must consider the needs of tomorrow - the social compact we forge must be one that is fair and equitable across generations.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Forward Singapore: Fairness and inclusion vital to the national conversation

Govt schemes alone not enough to meet social needs: Lawrence Wong

Partnering with all

Forward Singapore will be a major undertaking of the 4G team.

You have my word that we are sincere and committed to listening to and partnering with Singaporeans. We will build on the momentum we have gained, and apply the lessons we have learnt over the years.

We will engage in good faith; consider all ideas; and work alongside Singaporeans to achieve our shared aspirations.

Some of you may ask me: what is it that I want to see in the Singapore of tomorrow?

I would say: I want to see a Singapore where opportunities are open to all, no matter who they are or what their background is; where all are assured of access to basic needs like education, healthcare and housing, and everyone can chart their own path to live a fulfilling and dignified life; where we can build the best home, not just for ourselves but for generations of Singaporeans yet unborn.

Where all Singaporeans contribute their fair share to the common good, with those who are fortunate to do well in life willingly contributing more to uplift their fellow citizens with less; where every man and woman is valued, every child treasured, and every senior respected.

This is my hope for the future. But I cannot make this happen by myself. Today, I seek your full support and participation.

This journey to take Singapore forward will not be easy.

It will require us to reflect not only on our aspirations, but also our anxieties. And to see things not just from our own lens, but also from the lens of those with different backgrounds, different needs and different priorities from us.

I hope we can all approach this with open minds and big hearts, be willing to give and take, as we negotiate difficult trade-offs so we may arrive at where we want to be, stronger and more united than when we started.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

The 4G refresh of the social compact should include politics

Lawrence Wong outlines 'resetting' for a fairer, greener, more united Singapore

居家治疗冠病记 - 早报2022-06-29

居家治疗冠病记

早报 2022-06-29

黄精明

5月29日，我感觉有点发烧，头痛、喉咙干、咳嗽、流鼻涕，都是一些感冒的症状，太太也和我一样。我们决定做抗原快速检测，结果出现两条红线，得了冠病。

我们于是开始居家治疗。服了一些感冒药，发烧、头痛和流鼻涕的症状稍有改善，但药效过后又感觉不舒服。

为了确保发烧在可控范围，我们一直测量体温，而且利用淡马锡基金会赠送的脉搏血氧仪，测量我们的血氧饱和度，幸好都在正常水平。

不过，我们的病情一直起起伏伏，时好时坏，好像冠状病毒一样多变，今天头痛或发烧稍有改善，隔天又喉咙痛、咳嗽、流鼻涕。这样的状况延续了好几天，才渐渐好转。

我们在第七天开始，每天做抗原快速检测，结果还是出现两条红线，不过，其中一条红线明显变淺，意味着我们的病情已大有改善。太太的抗原快速检测在第10天呈阴性，我则在两天后呈阴性。至此，我们已经痊愈，完成了居家治疗。

这次不幸得冠病，我的感触是冠病病毒无所不在，让人防不胜防，即使打了疫苗追加剂，也不能保证不会中冠病。

因此，我们必须无时无刻保持警惕，注意个人卫生，勤洗手或经常用消毒液清洁双手，保持1米距离，坚持戴口罩，避免去人多的地方，尽可能打包回家吃，这些都是基本该做，却特别重要和有效的。家里也必须常备一些感冒药、抗原快速检测仪、体温计和血氧仪，以便随时使用。

最后，我想提的是，由于我们做足了隔离防范措施，同住的儿子在这12天里，每天早上他的抗原快速检测都呈阴性，而且每天照常去他的诊所工作。

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

My 15-plus-year Weight Management Records from 2007-05-28 to 2022-06-28 (by Calorie Restriction, i.e. Dietary Energy Restriction):

My 15-plus-year Weight Management Records from 2007-05-28 to 2022-06-28 (by Calorie Restriction, i.e. Dietary Energy Restriction):

Note: According to the Singapore Health Promotion Board, a Healthy BMI would fall between 18.5 to 22.9. A lower index would mean that the individual is at risk of nutrition deficiency diseases and osteoporosis. An index that is higher would mean that the individual is at risk of obesity-related diseases. (Ref: DD-P2016E02)

Total number of Monthly Weight monitored was 181 (100%)

The no. of times my BMI between 18.5 and 22.9 was 176 (97.24%)

The no. of times my BMI equal or more than 23.000 was 5 (2.76%)

=======================

2007

2007-05-28 morning, my weight = 65.0 kg, BMI = 23.588

2007-06-28 morning, my weight = 61.0 kg, BMI = 22.136

2007-07-28 morning, my weight = 59.0 kg, BMI = 21.410

2007-08-28 morning, my weight = 58.7 kg, BMI = 21.302

2007-09-28 morning, my weight = 57.5 kg, BMI = 20.866

2007-10-28 morning, my weight = 57.5 kg, BMI = 20.866

2007-11-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394
2007-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140

2008

2008-01-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886

2008-02-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886

2008-03-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777

2008-04-28 morning, my weight = 54.4 kg, BMI = 19.741

2008-05-28 morning, my weight = 54.1 kg, BMI = 19.632

2008-06-28 morning, my weight = 54.6 kg, BMI = 19.814

2008-07-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777

2008-08-28 morning, my weight = 54.3 kg, BMI = 19.705

2008-09-28 morning, my weight = 54.9 kg, BMI = 19.923

2008-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.3 kg, BMI = 20.068

2008-11-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777

2008-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2009

2009-01-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886

2009-02-28 morning, my weight = 55.9 kg, BMI = 20.285

2009-03-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886

2009-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.3 kg, BMI = 20.068

2009-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104.

2009-06-28 morning, my weight = 55.2 kg, BMI = 20.031

2009-07-28 morning, my weight = 55.1 kg, BMI = 19.995

2009-08-28 morning, my weight = 55.2 kg, BMI = 20.031

2009-09-28 morning, my weight = 56.3 kg, BMI = 20.431

2009-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249

2009-11-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394

2009-12-28 morning, my weight = 56.1 kg, BMI = 20.358
2010

2010-01-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177

2010-02-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503

2010-03-28 morning, my weight = 56.4 kg, BMI = 20.467

2010-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.7 kg, BMI = 20.213

2010-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.1 kg, BMI = 19.995

2010-06-28 morning, my weight = 56.4 kg, BMI = 20.467

2010-07-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140

2010-08-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249

2010-09-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249

2010-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104

2010-11-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177

2010-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140

2011
2011-01-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104

2011-02-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503

2011-03-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177

2011-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.7 kg, BMI = 20.213

2011-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177

2011-06-28 morning, my weight = 56.3 kg, BMI = 20.431

2011-07-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503

2011-08-28 morning, my weight = 56.9 kg, BMI = 20.649

2011-09-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394

2011-10-28 morning, my weight = 56.8 kg, BMI = 20.613

2011-11-28 morning, my weight = 59.0 kg, BMI = 21.410

2011-12-28 morning, my weight = 60.3 kg, BMI = 21.882

2012
2012-01-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318

2012-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753

2012-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.5 kg, BMI = 22.681

2012-04-28 morning, my weight = 61.3 kg, BMI = 22.246

2012-05-28 morning, my weight = 60.7 kg, BMI = 22.028

2012-06-28 morning, my weight = 60.6 kg, BMI = 21.992

2012-07-28 morning, my weight = 61.2 kg, BMI = 22.209

2012-08-28 morning, my weight = 60.8 kg, BMI = 22.064

2012-09-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318**

2012-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608

2012-11-28 morning, my weight = 63.4 kg, BMI = 23.008***

2012-12-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826

2013
2013-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.0 kg, BMI = 22.863

2013-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.1 kg, BMI = 22.536

2013-03-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318

2013-04-28 12.45 pm, my weight = 63.1 kg, BMI = 22.899****

2013-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608

2013-06-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572

2013-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645

2013-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg BMI = 22.717

2013-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg BMI = 22.645**

2013-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg BMI = 22.609

2013-11-28 morning, my weight = 63.1 kg BMI = 22.899

2013-12-28 morning, my weight = 64.4 kg BMI = 23.371
2014

2014-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.6 kg, BMI = 23.080

2014-02-28 morning, my weight = 63.3 kg, BMI = 22.971

2014-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753

2014-04-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753

2014-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826

2014-06-28 morning, my weight = 63.1 kg BMI = 22.899

2014-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753
2014-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
2014-09-28 morning, my weight = 61.2 kg, BMI = 22.209
2014-10-28 morning, my weight = 61.4 kg, BMI = 22.282
2014-11-28 morning, my weight = 60.2 kg, BMI = 21.846
2014-12-28 morning, my weight = 60.8 kg, BMI = 22.064
2015
2015-01-28 morning, my weight = 61.3 kg, BMI = 22.246
2015-02-28 morning, my weight = 61.8 kg, BMI = 22.427
2015-03-28 morning, my weight = 61.8 kg, BMI = 22.427
2015-04-28 morning, my weight = 62,5. kg, BMI = 22.681
2015-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645
2015-06-28 morning, my weight = 63.6 kg, BMI = 23.080
2015-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg BMI = 22.609
2015-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
2015-09-28 morning, my weight = 63.0 kg, BMI = 22.863
2015-10-28 morning, my weight = 63.2 kg, BMI = 22.935
2015-11-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg, BMI = 22.717
2015-12-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg BMI = 22.609
2016
2016-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.0 kg, BMI = 22.863
2016-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.8 kg, BMI = 22.790
2016-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499
2016-04-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499
2016-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645
2016-06-28 morning, my weight = 62.1 kg, BMI = 22.536
2016-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
2016-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg, BMI = 22.717
2016-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.8 kg, BMI = 22.790
2016-10-28 morning, my weight = 62,5. kg, BMI = 22.681
2016-11-28 morning, my weight = 62.1 kg, BMI = 22.536
2016-12-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608
2017
2017-01-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826
2017-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.644
2017-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.8 kg, BMI = 22.789
2017-04-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.609
2017-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
2017-06-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg, BMI = 22.717
2017-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645
2017-08-28 morning, my weight = 61.9 kg, BMI = 22.463
2017-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499
2017-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499
2017-11-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318

2017-12-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318
2018

My Weight 2018-01-28 0934 hr 61.0 kg BMI 22.136

My Weight 2018-02-28 0915 hr 60.7 kg BMI 22.027

My Weight 2018-03-28 0620 hr 61.0 kg BMI 22.136

My Weight 2018-04-28 1005 hr 61.7 kg BMI 22.390

My Weight 2018-05-28 0856 hr 60.5 kg BMI 21.955

My Weight 2018-06-28 0600 hr 61.4 kg BMI 22.281

My Weight 2018-07-28 0600 hr 62.2 kg BMI 22.572

My Weight 2018-08-28 0720 hr 61.4 kg BMI 22.281

My Weight 2018-09-28 0805 hr 62.1 kg BMI 22.535

My Weight 2018-10-28 0750 hr 61.3 kg BMI 22.24

My Weight 2018-11-28 1000 hr 61.5 kg BMI 22.318

My Weight 2018-12-28 0650 hr 62.5 kg BMI 22.681

2019

2019-01-28 at 1000 hr 60.9 kg BMI 22.100

2019-02-28 at 0946 hr 61.0 kg BMI 22.136

2019-03-28 at 0700 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.644

2019-04-28 at 0828 hr 62.9 kg BMI 22.826

2019-05-28 at 0745 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.826

2019-06-28 at 0650 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.644

2019-07-28 at 0736 hr 62.8 kg BMI 22.789

2019-08-28 at 0629 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.644

2019-09-28 at 0644 hr 61.9 kg BMI 22.463

2019-10-28 at 0740 hr 62.5 kg BMI 22.681

2019-11-28 at 0632 hr 62.8 kg BMI 22.789

2019-12-28 at 0726 hr 62.5 kg BMI 22.681

2020

My Weight 2020-01-28 0625 HR 62.6 kg BMI 22.717

My Weight 2020-02-28 0728 HR 62.3 kg BMI 22.608

My Weight 2020-03-28 0649 HR 61.4 kg BMI 22.281

My Weight 2020-04-28 0810 HR 62.0 kg BMI 22.499

My Weight 2020-05-28 0714 HR 62.3 kg BMI 22.608

My Weight 2020-06-28 0757 HR 60.2 kg BMI 21.846

My Weight 2020-07-28 0715 HR 61.6 kg BMI 22.354

My Weight 2020-08-28 0707 HR 61.1 kg BMI 22.173

My Weight 2020-09-28 0609 HR 60.8 kg BMI 22.064

My Weight 2020-10-28 0818 HR 60.7 kg BMI 22.027

My Weight 2020-11-28 0706 HR 60.9 kg BMI 22.100

My Weight 2020-12-28 0631 HR 60.5 kg BMI 21.955

2021

My Weight 2021-01-28 0638 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245

My Weight 2021-02-28 0741 HR 61.2 kg BMI 22.209

My Weight 2021-03-28 0659 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245

My Weight 2021-04-28 0659 HR 61.1 kg BMI 22.173

My Weight 2021-05-28 0618 HR 61.1 kg BMI 22.173

My Weight 2021-06-28 0604 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245

My Weight 2021-07-28 0642 HR 61.2 kg BMI 22.209

My Weight 2021-08-28 0653 HR 61.5 kg BMI 22.318

My Weight 2021-09-28 0618 HR 61.5 kg BMI 22.318

My Weight 2021-10-28 0549 HR 61.0 kg BMI 22.136

My Weight 2021-11-28 0630 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245

My Weight 2021-12-28 0528 HR 61.6 kg BMI 22.354

======================================

2022

My Weight 2022-01-28 0910 HR 61.1 kg BMI 22.173

My Weight 2022-02-28 0642 HR 61.2 kg BMI 22.209

My Weight 2022-03-28 0649 HR 61.4 kg BMI 22.281

My Weight 2022-04-28 0649 HR 61.4 kg BMI 22.281

My Weight 2022-05-28 0549 HR 61.0 kg BMI 22.136

My Weight 2022-06-28 0549 HR 61.0 kg BMI 22.136

Note

My current BMI is within the healthy range of 18.5 to 22.9.

For me, the range of healthy weight is 50.9786 kg (BMI = 18.5) to 63.10324 kg (BMI = 22.9).

People with BMI values of 23 kg/m2 (or 25 kg/m2 according to some sources) and above have been found to be at risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.

To be healthy, I must have a healthy weight.

Be as lean as possible without being underweight, as recommended by World Cancer Prevention Foundation, United Kingdom.

=================================

Note: From 2021-05-28, I have removed the unimportant minute details of old records from My Weight Management Records.

=================================

Ref. WeightManagement

三岁书法

美国造船工业严重萎缩，军舰谁来造？去哪儿修？2022-06-24

美国造船工业严重萎缩，军舰谁来造？去哪儿修？

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/wencui/political/story20220624-1286125

来源：美国之音

2022-06-24

作者：孙承

在中国快速整军经武的步伐中，海军舰艇也在迅速增加，第三艘航母刚刚下水。尽管美国海军之强大仍足以称雄世界，但美国造船和维修保养能力的严重不足。

“如果我陷入冲突，我不得不同时修理多艘在激烈交锋中受损的舰船，我没有足够的能力。”美国海军舰队司令部（US Fleet Force Command）司令达里尔·考德尔上将（Daryl Caudle）最近这样说。“我没有足够的干船坞，也没有足够的造船厂来解决这个问题，”

美国仅有四座军用造船厂，海军舰队的大量维修保养必须依靠民间商业船厂，然而在全球化工业大转移、国内政策变化等种种因素的冲击之下，美国造船工业的规模几十年来持续大幅萎缩，要维护支持一支庞大的海军在和平时期就已力不从心。

“美国政府问责局”今年2月的一份报告指出，目前美国的大部分潜艇都无法按时完成维护。这一负责调查、监督联邦政府的部门在向国会众议院武装委员会的报告中说，他们发现在2015财年至2020财年期间，海军潜艇按时完成维护率仅为46%，在414艘需要保养、维修等的潜艇中，只有191艘按时完成了，总计延迟高达2525天。

该局在2016年开始就曾经多次指出过相同的问题，警告说私人承包商和美国海军造船厂已经难以按时完成必须的保养维护任务。

美国海军中将约瑟夫·托法洛（Joseph Tofalo）曾透露说，大量积压的维修工作可能会使相当于15艘潜艇闲置长达数月之久，这意味着前沿部署部队的潜艇数量减少。

另一个政府部门“国会预算办公室（CBO）”指出，缺乏技术工人是海军的一大难题。这一为国会两院提供专业分析的无党派部门在去年的一份报告中悲观地预计，海军将在未来30年内都将面临维护延误的问题， “CBO预计每年平均劳动力短缺 4.6%——也就是说，海军将需要比造船厂提供的劳动力多 29万5000天的劳动力。这一数额大致相当于每年为弗吉尼亚级潜艇完成所需的劳动天数。”报告中写道。

报告说，导致延误有多种原因，但主要需求超过劳动力供应以及造船厂基础设施能力不足。

美国目前仅有的两家造船厂能够建造核动力舰船。通用动力电船公司（General Dynamics Electric Boat）只建造潜艇，而亨廷顿英戈尔斯工业公司旗下的纽波特纽斯造船及船坞公司（Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding）也建造核动力航空母舰。

“美国海军舰艇制造商面临的另一个问题是，他们有建造更多船只以替换老化船队、进行维护等的订单，但他们无法找到和招募在商业航运部门工作的工人。”美国传统基金会的海军事务资深研究员布伦特·萨德勒（Brent Sadler）说，这些公司不得不到非航运行业、例如海上石油产业去招例如焊工等技术工人。

美国国防部的研究报告指出，美国的造船业在2000年之后流失了约两万名技术熟练工人，而且这方面的缺口还在继续增加。

美国智库布鲁金斯学会去年11月的一篇报告指出，负责美国海上运输能力的“海事管理局（Maritime Administration 或 MARAD）”资金严重不足，船队老化，很可能无法胜任维持美军后勤运输。两位作者杰里米·格林伍德（Jeremy Greenwood）和艾米丽·米莱泰罗（Emily Miletello）提醒说，“让我们记住，太平洋地区的任何冲突都不会仅靠海军来维持，我们的地面部队既依靠军方、也离不开民用海运能力在国外作战。”而靠从盟友那里购买二手外国船不是个办法，也不是长久之计。

供应链咨询公司、北美货运市场的数据提供商“货运波浪（freightwaves）”在一篇文章说，美国目前只有四家建造大型远洋商船的船厂，整个商业造船业面临几乎消失的惨状。

不过在另一方面，不可否认的是，美国的造船业仍具有相当的韧性，仍能造船世界上最先进的船。美国造船厂商理事会（Shipbuilders Council of America）说，目前美国私营造船和维修行业仍创造了40多万个高技能就业机会，建造了世界上最大、最先进的船队。这一代表美国造船业的全国性贸易协会的主席马修·帕克斯顿在给美国之音的一封电子邮件中说，他并不认为美国商业造船业在衰退：“事实上，该行业为某些特定市场和行业带来了革命性的变化，例如建造了世界上第一艘液化天然气集装箱船，并设计和建造为新的用于海上能源开发项目服务的船舶。”

帕克斯顿说，政府和民间商业造船业之间共享的美国的独创性令美国在未来造船能力方面独树一帜，像中国这样的国家，靠政府提供大量补贴来操纵全球造船市场，而美国造船业在担负起维护国家安全重任的同时没有政府的大量补贴。

国旗的背后

2013年，美国总统奥巴马在迈阿密港口就振兴美国制造业发表演说，白宫先遣队在其身后背景是巨型龙门起重机上悬挂了一面巨幅美国国旗，以凸显振兴美国制造业的决心。然而，突如其来的一阵大风将国旗掀落，露出了背后意在用星条旗盖住的两个巨大的中文字 -- “振华”和英文“中国振华重工（集团）股份有限公司”的缩写ZPMC。

这一或具象征意义的意外一幕颇令分析人士痛心地揭示了在制造业领域美国的衰落和中国的振兴。

造船曾是巴尔的摩最大的产业，但如今该市所有的船厂都已倒闭。巴尔的摩工业博物馆的历史学家杰克·伯克特（Jack Burkert）说，毫无疑问，这不仅仅是一种局部现象——它反映了世界范围内的经济变化。他对美国之音说：“这就是人们所说的美国的去工业化，也更是一场工业化大迁移。”

振华重工是中国交通建设集团有限公司旗下的机械重型装备制造商，该公司曾承建了美国旧金山-奥克兰海湾大桥，在美国八个主要城市设有办事处。美国最大的、可一举抬起航母的浮动干船坞就是从这家上海公司进口的，甚至美国海军也可能用到了这家公司的设备。据美国海上运输和物流服务公司Foss提供的消息引进这一巨型设备的位于俄勒冈州的造船厂威哥工业(Vigor Industrial)，该造船厂是美国海军舰只的定点干船坞，尼米兹、卡尔文森号航母等十多艘美军舰船都曾在这家船厂进行维修保养。

二战期间，美国拥有世界上最强大的造船工业，仅在从1941年到1945年的时间里下水了惊人的122艘六个不同级别的航母。除了航母、驱逐舰、护卫舰、巡洋舰等以外，美国还建造了大量的民用商船。仅以当时的“自由轮”计划和巴尔的摩市的伯利恒-费尔菲尔德造船厂为例，这一早已倒闭的船厂从1941年到1945年共生产了385艘自由号系列货轮，以及94艘更大、更快的“胜利”轮，和45艘两栖登陆舰。

那是一个美国拥有世界上规模最为庞大的海军和商业船队、星条旗在船头高高飘扬在各大洋的时代。如今茫茫大海上零零星星地没飘着几只美国船。据美国交通部所属的“交通统计局”（Bureau of Transportation Statistics）公布的数据，目前世界上悬挂美国国旗的货船只占区区0.4%（不是4%）。

伴随着美国造船业迅速衰落的是中国造船业的迅猛崛起。

美国国防部在2020年提交给国会的中国军力报告中列举了几个中国与美国持平、甚至超过美国的领域，其中首先提到的就是造船。报告说：“按吨位计算，中国是世界上最大的造船国，并且正在增加造船业所有海军级别的产能和潜力。”

联合国贸易和发展会议（UNCTAD）只提供了到2020年为止的中国造船数据。该组织的数据显示，中国大型远洋船舶的年造船量为1000多艘，而美国仅约10艘左右。

“重要的是，美国的政治、军事和金融/工业领导层要认识到，现在迫切需要对美国本土控制的造船能力进行重大投资，”哈德逊研究所客座研究员克里斯托弗·奥迪（Christopher O'Dea）说。他在接受美国之音采访时说，美国不仅要建造军舰，还要建造一支远洋大型商业货船船队，以确保一旦中国利用其商业海上力量实施禁运或配给，美国的基本消费品的供应不会中断。

他指出，虽然中国第三艘航空母舰的建造和下水广为人们所关注，“但令人担忧的是，几乎没有人认识到中国正在建造的液化天然气动力集装箱船就在该航母旁边，这些在卫星图像和中国官方照片中清晰可见，这对美国及其盟国的经济和国家安全构成严重威胁。”

My Weight 2022-06-28 - BMI 22.136 - 61.0 Kg

My Weight

2022-06-28

0750 HR

61.0 kg

BMI 22.136

Covid-19 本地首起儿童冠病死亡病例一岁半男婴死于冠病并发症. (早报 2022-0-6-28)

本地首起儿童冠病死亡病例一岁半男婴死于冠病并发症

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20220627-1287246

（早报讯）本地首次有儿童因冠病并发症死亡，病患是一名一岁半男婴，死因是冠病、呼吸道合胞病毒和肠道病毒感染引发的脑炎（Encephalitis）。

卫生部今晚（6月27日）发文告说，这名新加坡籍病患生前没有其他病史，健康状况良好。他本月21日晚上到竹脚妇幼医院急诊部就医，当时发高烧并且反复癫痫发作（seizures），后来逐渐失去意识。

他隔天住进儿童加护病房，确诊患上严重的脑膜脑炎（Meningoencephalitis）。他的冠病核酸检测呈阳，也确诊感染鼻病毒或肠道病毒（Rhinovirus/Enterovirus），以及呼吸道合胞病毒（Respiratory Syncytial Virus）。

卫生部说，冠病可导致重症，包括在孩童及没有潜在病况的人身上。接种疫苗可显著降低重症风险，所有5岁至11岁孩童都应接种辉瑞／复必泰疫苗，尤其是有潜在慢性疾病的孩童。

卫生部向病患家属表达深切慰问，竹脚妇幼医院正与病患家属沟通，提供必要援助。

COVID-19 Singapore's first coronavirus death under 12 - Straits Times 2022-06-28

1½-year-old boy dies after contracting Covid-19; he is Singapore's first coronavirus death under 12

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/child-dies-after-getting-covid-19-singapore-reports-5309-new-cases

1½-year-old boy dies after contracting Covid-19; he is Singapore's first coronavirus death under 12

The child was brought to KK Women's and Children's Hospital on June 21 with a high fever and recurrent seizures. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Timothy Goh

Health Correspondent

UPDATED 6 HOURS AGO

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SINGAPORE - A 1½-year-old boy who came down with Covid-19 has died, said the Ministry of Health.

In a statement on Monday night (June 27), MOH said the child died of encephalitis - or inflammation of the brain - due to Covid-19 and two other viruses.

The two viruses are the respiratory syncytial virus and the enterovirus.

This is Singapore's first death caused by Covid-19 in a patient below 12, MOH said.

It added that the boy had no other past medical history and was previously well.

He was taken to KK Women's and Children's Hospital's (KKH) Children's Emergency Department on the night of June 21 with a high fever and recurrent seizures, and subsequently began to lose consciousness.

He was then admitted to the Children's Intensive Care Unit in critical condition on June 22, and was diagnosed with severe meningoencephalitis.

This refers to the inflammation of the brain and the meninges, which are membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

The boy’s polymerase chain reaction test came back positive for Covid-19, as well as the rhinovirus/enterovirus and the respiratory syncytial virus.

In its statement, MOH said Covid-19 can result in severe disease, even in children and those without pre-existing medical conditions.

"Vaccination substantially reduces the likelihood of severe disease when one is infected," it said.

The ministry added that it recommends that all children aged five to 11 years get the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine, especially those with underlying chronic medical conditions.

MOH said that together with the Health Sciences Authority and the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination, it will study the safety and effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines that have been formulated for young children under the age of five, once manufacturers submit relevant documents.

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"MOH extends our deepest condolences to the patient's family," said the ministry, adding that KKH is in contact with the family to support them where necessary.

This is the first death from Covid-19 in Singapore in five days. The latest death takes Singapore's total number of Covid-19 fatalities to 1,409.

On Monday, Singapore reported 5,309 new coronavirus cases, up from 5,116 the day before.

The week-on-week infection ratio also grew to 1.56, up from 1.52 the day before.

The rate refers to the ratio of community cases for the past week over that of the week before. A rate of more than 1 shows that the number of new weekly Covid-19 cases is increasing.

The MOH report also said 420 Covid-19 patients were in hospital, with 26 requiring oxygen supplementation and nine in the intensive care unit.

Singapore has so far recorded a total of 1,413,667 Covid-19 cases.

See the full update from MOH here.

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COVID-19 Health Protocols as of 2022-04-26 ( Sunday Times 2022-06-26)

Covid-19 冠病医疗方案(于2022-04-26起) 早报 2022-06-26

Friends relatives fight to care for wealthy S'pore widow with dementia . Sunday Times 2022-06-26

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Friends, relatives fight to care for wealthy S'pore widow with dementia

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/invest/friends-relatives-fight-to-care-for-wealthy-spore-widow-with-dementia

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Friends, relatives fight to care for wealthy S'pore widow with dementia

A elderly widow is caught in the middle of an unusual legal tussle between two groups of people vying to become court-appointed "deputies". PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO

Tan Ooi Boon

Invest Editor

PUBLISHED 3 HOURS AGO

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SINGAPORE - It feels good to be sought after, especially having folks outdo themselves trying to be your best pals and to take care of you. This is exactly what a 71-year-old wealthy Singapore woman is going through now, but sadly, it is for all the wrong reasons.

The widow, who has no children and suffers from dementia, is caught in the middle of an unusual legal tussle between two groups of people vying to become court-appointed “deputies” so that they can take care of her and her considerable assets.

In one corner are two of her female friends of around the same age who apparently gained control over the widow’s assets here and in Hong Kong soon after she was diagnosed with dementia.

Their High Court application is being strongly opposed by four distant relatives, including an “adoptive father” who is actually the husband of the widow’s paternal aunt.

The elderly man, who also does not have children, and his wife apparently took care of the widow when she was a child. He is joined in this “custody battle” by two of the widow’s cousins and one of the cousins’ son.

All the parties say they are willing to take care of the widow, who spent many years in Hong Kong with her late husband. She has lived here in her own home with her “adoptive father” since 2017.

No personal details or background information of any of the parties have been disclosed in the trial. The widow’s total assets were not revealed because her two friends declined to share such information with the relatives.

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When the case first came before the Family Court last year, the judge remarked that “neither side was a particularly ideal choice” to manage the widow’s affairs. So two deputies – one from each camp – were appointed to do the job but this failed to satisfy either camp, prompting both sides to appeal to the High Court.

Justice Debbie Ong noted from the start that it was neither appropriate nor practical to have one representative from each camp caring for the widow, especially when both sides cannot get along.

Managing a dementia patient's money

The widow was diagnosed with dementia in August 2016 and her condition has deteriorated, with her affliction classified as moderate to severe by 2019. The parties do not dispute that she now lacks mental capacity.

Justice Ong said “it was of concern” that the widow made a will barely a year after her condition was known – in June 2017 – and named her two friends as executors and trustees.

The widow's will stated that half of her estate would be entrusted to these two friends, who could distribute the assets to themselves or other beneficiaries of their choice. One of the friends was nominated as the sole beneficiary of a few of the widow’s insurance policies.

The change of beneficiaries of the policies took place in February 2019 when the widow was already in an advanced stage of dementia. The value of these policies was not disclosed in court.

The widow made a will barely a year after being diagnosed with dementia and named her two friends as executors and trustees. PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO

The widow’s relatives wanted the two friends to account for the will and other transactions because they claimed that a HK$8.5 million (S$1.5 million) mortgage was taken out on the widow’s properties in Hong Kong in December 2017. In addition, about $250,000 was withdrawn with a cheque from the widow’s Singapore bank account in February 2019.

The relatives also pointed out that the friends were not that close to the widow before 2016 and they met only on special occasions socially. Yet after one of them learnt about the widow’s dementia, the friend “became a constant presence” in the widow’s life.

The relatives said the widow’s finances were controlled by her friends. They added that “questionable transactions” were made in the widow’s name, suggesting that she could have been under “undue influence”.

From the friends’ perspective, they claimed that the relatives had ignored the widow’s welfare for years and were “coming out of the woodwork to create fuss” only now because they were interested in her assets.

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Justice Ong accepted the relatives’ points as “a fairly reflective snapshot of the context and concerns in this case”. But as the issue before the court centred on the choice of deputies, the judge did not make any findings of “wrong-doing” or whether the widow had the mental capacity to execute the will and other transactions.

But given that these transactions occurred after the initial diagnosis of dementia in 2016, and that the results benefited the friends, the judge said there was sufficient cause for concern, such that a court should be cautious about placing the friends as deputies for the widow.

“Having considered the relevant context and evidence, I was of the view that the (friends) were not the more suitable deputies in the circumstances of this case,” Justice Ong said.

As for the relatives, they were accused of disregarding court orders and preventing the friends from seeing the widow, even though the visits were permitted.

Justice Ong noted: “I do not condone breaches of court orders, but I was able to believe that once they were appointed deputies, they would feel more secure that (the widow’s) interests were protected and would be supportive of her access to her friends should she wish to spend time with them.”

She then appointed the widow’s two cousins and nephew as deputies for the widow.

The friends have since filed an appeal against Justice Ong’s decision.

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What you should do

While making wills early in life is a common practice, many people do not realise that it is just as important to have trusted people on standby as your “donees” or legal representatives so they can act for you if you become unwell due to dementia or other debilitating illnesses.

Mr Lee Ee Yang and Mr Wilbur Lua, who are the lawyers for the widow’s cousins and nephew, declined to discuss their case but they note that any case involving dementia patients should signal the importance of appointing “donees” by executing a lasting power of attorney (LPA) document that has to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

“You should execute your LPA at an early stage while you are still mentally healthy,” Mr Lee adds.

Just as important is your choice of donees, who should preferably be people you trust and who can work with your beneficiaries.

“To minimise the risk of future disputes, you may wish to discuss your decision of donees with your loved ones before you execute your LPA,” he adds.

“If you have a difficult time deciding who should be your donees, it would be prudent to consult an independent lawyer who can provide you with objective advice.”

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INVEST DEMENTIA LPA/LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY FINANCIAL LITERACY

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