Beating the haze, from the ground up

SINGAPORE — Before the Government’s announcement yesterday evening that some 200,000 low-income households will receive one million N95 masks starting tomorrow, some Singaporeans swung into action to offer some relief to the less fortunate, by collecting and distributing masks and appealing for donations of air purifiers and electric fans for nursing homes.

Businessman Laurence Wong, 40, who plans to distribute masks today around Bukit Batok, managed to collect about 100 after a frantic islandwide hunt. “We want Singaporeans to know you can do your part to your neighbourhood,” he said, adding that he had hoped — and failed — to find more masks.

On the Internet, news site The Online Citizen posted an open call on its Facebook page asking for information on hospitals or nursing homes which did not have enough air purifiers. After St Luke’s Hospital responded, Jurong GRC Member of Parliament (MP) David Ong got in touch and air coolers and purifiers were secured for the hospital.

SG Haze Rescue, which began collecting and giving out masks on Thursday, yesterday posted a Google document with information on which areas were in need of them and which have received help to avoid duplication of efforts.

To give voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) a hand, the Community Chest yesterday set aside an “initial sum” of S$200,000 for VWOs to tap to purchase items like masks, mobile fans, air filters or portable air-conditioners to protect the elderly and the young.

Several MPs have also kicked off assistance efforts. Marine Parade GRC MP Tin Pei Ling said in a Facebook post last night that some of the Residents’ Committee centres in the constituency will extend their opening hours, with timings to be adjusted according to the situation.

Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Alex Yam said he is looking into having volunteers to man Community Club halls so that they can remain open round the clock.

Worried about ventilation issues for those who kept their windows closed at night, he has also made a plea for donations of fans. So far, about 360 fans have been donated — the majority by electrical appliances company Akira — and they will be distributed door-to-door tomorrow.

Mr Yam said that one challenge was educating those who might not have kept track of the news, especially the elderly. A “personal touch” is needed to explain the benefits of wearing masks or staying indoors, he added.

Indeed, when TODAY visited housing estates in Redhill yesterday, many of the elderly playing checkers or lounging around at void decks appeared nonchalant about the poor air quality — even though three-hour Pollutant Standards Index readings surged to a record 401 yesterday before dropping to below 150.

A 56-year-old retiree who gave his name only as Mr Mubarak said he had been coughing “on and off” for the past few days but had yet to see a doctor. The wheelchair user suffers from asthma and diabetes, but he said: “Even with a mask, it is pointless. (The pollutants) are in the air.”

One of the onlookers at the checkers game said none of those present could afford a mask and, “even if we could, we do not know where to buy them”.

Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, who is the MP for Marine Parade GRC, said there was a need to “assure our residents and to clarify concerns and misperceptions”.

“We need to assure our residents about the situation and to stay calm. Not everyone needs the mask as it depends on their condition and the nature of their exposure,” he said in an email in response to TODAY’s queries.

He said volunteers and grassroots leaders visited some rental units last night.

“We want to check on their conditions so that we can follow up if needed. We are updating them on MOH (Ministry of Health) subsidies. We are also distributing N95 masks to those who may need (them),” he added.