Disclaimer:
This is the script of a toastmaster’s prepared speech project. It is not meant to be instructive and the information is not necessarily accurate. The content is purely based on the speaker’s perspective and definitely not meant to be authoritative and not meant to be taken for reference in any way.
Objective Of The Research And Presenting Pathway Project
“Researching and Presenting” is one of the compulsory Level 1 projects for all the Pathways Education in Toastmasters.
There are different types of speeches. In most speeches, one would have to carry out some research into the subject that one is going to speak about, organise the facts, possibly also consolidate the data gathered if there is any, before presenting them coherently and interestingly to engage the audience.
Researching And Presenting – Elaine Tan’s Pathway Project
This is a Prepared Speech Project presented by Elaine Tan and she shared about her experience of how after contracting COVID-19 and her findings on how COVID-19 spread as well as how to carry out the different diagnostic tests for COVID-19.
Speaker: Elaine Tan, ACB, CL, DL5
Pathway: Motivational Strategies
Level 1, Project 3: Researching and Presenting
Title: Recovering From COVID-19
Date: 18 November 2021
Elaine Tan’s Speech Introduction
Today I have a live breaking news to share with all of you. Yes, you’re about to hear of the first Toastmasters Club President who was diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in Singapore. I believe that even Owen, our Area B2 Governor, is not aware of this news. That person who was diagnosed positive for COVID-19 is none other than me.
Elain Tan Was Infected With COVID-19
Yes, The Open Alumni Toastmasters Club President was tested positive for COVID-19 and that could be the reason why most of our member and Telok Blangah Toastmasters Club members are not here today. If you happen to meet them, please let them know that COVID-19 cannot be transmitted online via Zoom. So please tell them that it is safe to attend the meeting next month.
As much as there may be many of you who still do not have a good understanding of COVID-19, honestly, I too like many of you, did not understand much about COVID-19 until that fateful, ominous day. The day when I was told that I was tested positive for COVID-19. Immediately, the thing that came to my mind was, “I need to carry out research on COVID-19.”
At the very same instant, another thought that also popped up in my mind was, “Hey! I can actually present this as my next prepared speech project during the next Chapter Meeting.”
The Antigen Rapid Test And The PCR Swab Test
The slide on the screen shows how the COVID-19 virus is like. It is made up of a lot of different types of proteins, of which, I do not know how to pronounce them. I am of the opinion that you need not bother to know how to either. There is just one thing you need to know: we are tested for the presence of these proteins to verify the status of our infection.
Prior to my research into the COVID-19 Tests, I was confused over what is an ART (Antigen Rapid Test) and what is a PCR test (Polymerase Chain Reaction Swab Test). I was uncertain of the fact as to whether a person is a COVID-19 carrier if he/she has a cough, flu, or simply just having a symptom of sore throat.
Prior to my research into the COVID-19 Tests, I was confused over what is an ART (Antigen Rapid Test) and what is a PCR test (Polymerase Chain Reaction Swab Test). I was uncertain of the fact as to whether a person is a COVID-19 carrier if he/she has a cough, flu, or simply just having a symptom of sore throat.
I believe that everyone has seen the ART (Antigen Rapid Test) kit before. This is what it looks like as shown on the screen. This was what I used to test myself with on the day that I was told that I was infected with COVID-19. You can see that there are two lines, of which, the second line is a little faint. If there are two lines on the test kit, this would mean that you are tested positive for COVID-19. The Antigen Rapid Test can be carried out very quickly. It tests for the presence of the proteins of the coronavirus.
However, this is not as reliable as the PCR Test. In carrying out the Antigen Rapid Test, if a person does not have much of the coronavirus in his/her body, the test kit might not detect the presence of these proteins. Alternatively, the second line could be too faint to be visible. In the case of the PCR Test, it is a more rigorous test that is carried out in the laboratory.
For PCR tests, only the coronavirus DNA that is present in the saliva is amplified through a process of heating and cooling 30 to 40 times, with the aid of an enzyme called a polymerase. The amplifying property of PCR allows the test to successfully detect even the smallest amount of coronavirus genetic material in a sample. The test result is almost 100% accurate.
Elaine Recalling On Being Infected With COVID-19
Back to the day when I was tested positive with the Antigen Rapid Test. I went to the clinic, and the doctor told me that if anyone is tested positive with the Antigen Rapid Test, 90% or 99% of them will also be tested positive with the PCR Test. That is a fact that you can bear in mind.
I would also like to share this with you. I asked myself, “Why am I so unlucky to be infected with COVID-19?” If you have known me well, I am a person who is very “kiasi”, meaning that I am extremely afraid of dying. For many months, I did not leave my house except for the purpose of vaccination. For your information, up to 40% of those who are tested positive for COVID-19 are put on the Home Recovery Programme. I shall tell you what is the Home Recovery Programme in a little while later.
I would also like to share this with you. I asked myself, “Why am I so unlucky to be infected with COVID-19?” If you have known me well, I am a person who is very “kiasi”, meaning that I am extremely afraid of dying.
For many months, I did not leave my house except for the purpose of vaccination. For your information, up to 40% of those who are tested positive for COVID-19 are put on the Home Recovery Programme. I shall tell you what is the Home Recovery Programme in a little while later.
How Is COVID-19 Transmitted?
One question I would like to highlight is this. I’ve been asked this question a lot. “How did you got infected with COVID-19?” To tell you the truth, nobody who is infected with COVID-19 can answer that question. Like I’ve told you, I have never stepped out of my house except to get my vaccination.
COVID-19 need not be transmitted through kissing, hugging, or any form of physical contact with an infected person. It can be transmitted through the air. My friends told me this, “You can still catch the virus just by entering and breathing in the air in an empty lift so long as an infected person has entered the same lift that you have entered.” This is known as air-borne transmission.
The Impact of Getting Infected With COVID-19
Next, the impact is quite serious on an infected person if he/she is not vaccinated. The symptoms that most people have who are infected within the first week are fever, dry cough, and perhaps, vomiting too. The more critically ill will need oxygen supplementation. In extreme cases, one may end up in the Intensive Care Unit. These people may develop long term side effects that can affect their health.
The Home Recovery Programme
However, those who have moderate symptoms like me will only need to go through two weeks of home isolation. During home isolation, we must isolate ourselves from both non-family and family members as well.
From our support group, I learned that we need to have more rooms and toilets in our home. Otherwise, it is very difficult to practice home isolation effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I have to say that this pandemic is very alarming. Whatever we do may seem to be inadequate. Nevertheless, as part of the community, we still have to help one another by taking care of ourselves as well as others. So, all in all, for those who are concerned for me, I want to tell you that I have fully recovered, and I really appreciate the support that I received from my family and friends. I had even thought about the succession plan for our club in case I did not get well. However, I am happy to say that I am well, and I am here, this very moment. Here’s wishing everybody, “Stay safe and be healthy!”
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