Frontline workers have been bearing the brunt of the pandemic both physically and mentally, ever since the virus took control of our lives last year.
And yet, the public shuns them.
The Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) cluster had emerged as one of the biggest clusters in Singapore’s second wave of COVID-19, leading to the barring of visitors and all staff members and patients undergoing swab tests.
According to The Straits Times, multiple TTSH staff members have been rejected by hotels and taxi drivers, and were even forced to move out of their homes by landlords.
One nurse noted that the way the hotel had responded to him was “a little off-putting” and that “they should at least speak to [them] like [they’re] human and not some kind of parasite.”
Sadly, it looks like this discrimination has become the new pandemic in Singapore.
Union Said Many TTSH Staff Members Face Discrimination Even on Public Transport
Ms K Thanaletchimi, the president of the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU), even raised that on public transport, passengers would move away from the hospital’s staff members or wear their masks tighter against their faces.
Sounds familiar?
“While it is understandable that the pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, this does not mean that we can be rude and inconsiderate towards others,” she emphasised.
“We strongly believe that all workers should be treated with dignity and respect, this includes our healthcare workers, who have worked tirelessly to keep Singapore safe against the backdrop of COVID-19. We do not condone verbal and physical abuse, or any discrimination against our healthcare workers.”
Signs of Support
Regarding the issue of housing, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the COVID-19 task force have already begun negotiations with hotels and other accommodations to provide housing for affected TTSH staff members, reported CNA.
Then-Health Minister Gan Kim Yong expressed that despite the new measures, “this should not be an excuse to the landlords to kick them out”.
He also said that he would like Singaporeans to show their support to healthcare workers and to work together to protect them, just as they have done for the entire community.
In order to provide adequate transport to hospital staff, ComfortDelGro has monitored the supply of taxis to the hospital and “is always encouraging” their drivers to make their ways towards areas of high demand, such as hospitals.
Ms Tammy Tan, chief branding and communications officer for ComfortDelGro, reassured that they “do not discriminate against any passenger and do not condone any such acts by our drivers too.”
Taxi drivers belonging to the group will also be fully supported if they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms as a result of their work.
In addition, private-hire companies like Grab and Gojek are extending support to hospital staff. Schemes like GrabCare and GoHeroes are dedicated services intended to ferry healthcare workers to and from their workplace.
Grab is also planning to conduct another recruitment drive to engage more volunteers for their GrabCare service and will also be providing GrabFood promo codes to all healthcare workers serving stay-home notices.
Local bakeries and food stalls have also reached out to provide TTSH staff members with free meals and care packages!
Kudos to them and let’s continue to cheer on our healthcare heroes!
Feature Image: Miguel Vidal / Shutterstock.com
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