Wearing A Face Mask In Singapore
I have been hit by the flu bug since last Thursday and I am on the way to recovery except the need to blow out the phlegm through my nose every now and then. With the rise of H1N1 cases in Singapore, there was a slight worry from KuKuNehNeh (KKNN) and myself thinking that we may have fallen prey to the epidemic considering that KKNN had the flu before me and she was at Butter Factory a week shy of the supposed outbreak.
I did feel lousy but my temperature was at a measly 35.9 – 36.1°C throughout the period and that was pretty reassuring even though I did read that a large number of H1N1 patients didn’t experience fever.
KuKuNehNeh and I stayed apart for 2 days since the onset of my flu but she longed to see me and missed me to no end (Hey it’s my blog, I say what I want to say. :p) and so I decided to travel to Ang Mo Kio to let her have a dose of her bf.
With flu, a slight cough and a running nose that is out of my control, the best thing I can think of to be socially responsible is to purchase face masks and wear one for the 1 hr trip down from Jurong West.
Boy! Was it an interesting experience.
Besides the obvious lack of comfort of wearing a 3-ply mask in the disgusting, sweltering heat of Singapore, I had to sniff constantly to prevent drowning myself in my own mucus in the covered mask considering it makes no sense for me to remove the mask and blow my nose in the train cabin right?
The social aspect of wearing a mask was astounding. Despite the fact that most Singaporeans are aware of the H1N1 and it’s spread, not one human being I see on the street is wearing a mask except me. It might be just my mind but I swear people give me 2nd looks upon realizing that I am wearing a mask. I get the feeling that they are probably deducing that I am a carrier or I am extremely afraid of catching the virus.
Upon entering the train at the busy Jurong East MRT platform, I was lucky enough to get a seat and guess what? NOBODY sat to the adjacent seats on my left and right. Do bear in mind that the rest of the seats in my cabin were soon filled up and as far as I can see, so were the seats in the other two cabins adjacent to mine. There are people standing all around as the train moved from station to station and still nobody took the empty seats beside me!
I was practically smirking at situation, half amused at the elbow space I got and half amused at the reactions of the passengers around me. It was only until 4 stations later that a brave (or oblivious) man came in and sat beside me.
Very scary meh?
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so im definitely going to get one hurray! yeah i’ll go...
July 1st, 2009 at 11:43 am
hahahaha they mayb think u’r some burglar wannabe who’s unfortunately down with DA FLU!
i si slow. i just realise im back to reading ur blog. hahahaa.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
@|c3^sNoW> Nothing to read actually. It’s a ghost blog for now. :p
July 1st, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Next time when you wearing facemask again, let me know. I’ll take the train with you. Got available seat on train! Woohoo!
DKs last blog post..SAF’s first Malay General
July 21st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
@DK> Two seats empty actually. We can put our barang barang on the extra seat. Woohoo!
July 1st, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Here’s what I think actually… Not everyone is as noble as you, Kris. I do see a few ppl wearing masks around. But I dare say they wear mask to prevent catching the virus, not to prevent spreading it.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
@DX> Like I said b4, if I were really noble, I should have stayed hm. I was choosing the lesser of two evils. :p
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Nice to know there are still a few (and very rare) socially responsible people around. At least you won’t feel guilty about contaminating anyone with the virus. And hey, fashion statement!
And all the room to yourself!:) Cheers!
Searching for a job…and the meaning of life itself: http://bit.ly/3wmLeV
July 21st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
@dreamer_swan> Hmmm… Nv thought of it as a fashion statement. Maybe we should get those cute taiwan masks with prints
July 4th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Mm I saw a preggie wearing one the other day.
It’s good to be socially responsible.. but like the lady in the papers the other day? She went to get tested for H1N1 and had to stay in the hospital for a bit. When the results were negative, they billed her $200+…. haiz. Who would want to be socially responsible like that??
Bobos last blog post..Run! Little fair piggie… Run!
July 5th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
U r the brave and social responsibility Singaporean!
July 6th, 2009 at 11:27 am
While I agree that $200 is way too much, I still take my hat off to her for doing what she did.
Sure it was a false alarm maybe. But at least she made sure. Unlike a lot of people who couldn’t care less about whether or not they infect others. Really selfish…And even if it was the common cold, people should still be more considerate towards other people…
July 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Hey, you just solved the problem of people not wanting to give up seats! Now we should all wear masks so pregnant women can all sit!
July 10th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
If you are in HK, probably you won’t be noticed. People wore masks everywhere and they are just part of the fabric of the community here. I blame SARS. And I should blog about my H1N1 testing in Singapore. Hmmm…
Razlans last blog post..Justin & His Awesomeness Hit Hong Kong
July 14th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Wa! U “booked” the train huh? ;p
Doras last blog post..It Meows #42
July 27th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
For some reason that picture reminds me of Maddox, Angelina Jolie’s son
July 28th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
@Rinaz> I wonder if Angelina would adopt me….
August 10th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
hi krisandro, chanced upon your blog when looking for more information on wearing masks.
anyway, i had similar experience when wearing masks in public ever since I catch a really bad cold recently. but you know, the culture of wearing masks have to start somewhere right?
perhaps it can start from us
and that day i insisted my bf on wearing mask with me when he accompany me to revisit the doc. and it feels like we are in couple wear.
maybe someone can make a business out of creating more interesting masks.
August 17th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
@蓝月> I think there are already companies that make cute looking masks. Not sure on the effectiveness of those masks though!