Total Defence Message 2020 by Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWJD0C00ElQ (4.08mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=55&v=7ccjPJUROzA&feature=emb_logo (2mins)
How can the 6 pillars of Total Defence be applicable during a pandemic?
When the disease outbreak response level (DORSCON) was raised from yellow to orange, citizens in Singapore reacted with panic-buying. The act of hoarding food and essential items during a pandemic is considered as being selfish because it deprives others who have a greater need of the goods. Worse still, many baskets of groceries were abandoned along aisles or near the counters because the wait was simply too long, leaving perishable food items to spoil. It also created extra unnecessary work for supermarket staff to return those items to their rightful places.
Image taken from: https://mothership.sg/2020/02/psychology-panic-buying/
It is crucial times such as this, that citizens apply the 6 pillars of Total Defence. Total Defence Day is marked on the 15th of February every year to remind Singaporeans of the importance of the role of every citizen in defending Singapore. The 6 pillars of Defence serve to elucidate the role of each sector of society in ensuring Singapore’s security. It is essential for Singaporeans to be ready to defend the country when she faces potential military and non-military threats.
Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing stated that “Our strongest defence as a nation is collective defence, when each and every one of us plays a part”. Let us find out more about the 6 pillars of Total Defence and how you can play your role during a crisis in Singapore.
The 6 Pillars of Total Defence
Image taken from: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreTotalDefence/photos/a.369939336698491/1033061783719573/?type=3&theater
What challenges have you encountered or observed during the COVID-19 times? Which pillars of defence is relevant in managing those challenges that you have mentioned?
Use this website to help you find out more on the 6 Pillars of Total Defence: https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/defence-matters/defence-topic/defence-topic-detail/total-defence
If you need a laugh, this website has more interesting illustrations on the COVID-19 virus. http://nusmedicine.nus.edu.sg/medias/news-info/2233-the-covid-19-chronicles
Comic taken from: http://nusmedicine.nus.edu.sg/medias/news-info/2233-the-covid-19-chronicles
Sources:
http://nusmedicine.nus.edu.sg/medias/news-info/2233-the-covid-19-chronicles
