Singapore companies give away free masks to deal with coronavirus outbreak
Local business owners deal with the coronavirus threat by distributing free masks to the community.
As the number of confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) cases climbs to 18 in Singapore (as of Feb 3, 2020), the frenzy to stock up on surgical masks has only intensified.
Not only are masks sold out at retailers like Guardian, Watsons, and NTUC Fairprice, scalpers are also reselling boxes at 600% the original price. Some businesses are riding on this frenzy by jacking up mask prices or urging customers to buy their products as part of their marketing campaigns.
Fortunately, there are also local companies doing their part to help the community protect themselves from the coronavirus.
From giving away free surgical masks to providing cloth masks for children, here are four instances of their generosity and compassion.
1. "Share the love!"
If you were unable to collect the free masks provided by the government, aluminium window grille company U-Gate Design PL will be giving away two surgical masks per person.
The company is encouraging fellow Singaporeans to “help each other to get protected during this difficult period”. If you would like to obtain the masks, visit their Facebook page or contact +65 96588509.
2. Masks for the elderly
Another local company, MEGACOOL (Singapore) Pte Ltd, has set aside 1,000 pieces of surgical masks to share with the community. The air-conditioning company will be giving away a pack of 10 pieces per person.
To collect the masks, the company is open for self-collection at Blk 9010 Tampines St 93 #01-73, but also deliver to elderly with disabilities.
3. Cloth masks for young children
Owner Jevon Yeo of ANB Discount Super Store at Bangkit Road decided to share 500 pieces of cloth masks to children below the age of seven when she discovered from a customer that adult surgical masks were too big for kids.
She encouraged the community to “help the Singapore children” by sharing her post to friends and family who have young children.
4. "We want to do our part to help the community in need"
In an Instagram post, online marketplace Carousell highlighted several sellers on their platform who are giving away surgical masks to the community. Benjamin, whose username is @carwerkz.com, shared that he “[wants] to do [his] part to help the community in need and to inspire more people to lend a helping hand during a crucial time”.
Fellow Carouseller CNG (@ilovesingaporesg) decided to give away masks as “the elderly are unable to get any masks… and as a Singaporean I think we should share kindness around”.
Like these Singaporean companies and business owners, we too should take initiative in helping to protect our community from the coronavirus. Be it through giving away extra masks we have on hand or reminding each other to wash our hands, simple acts like these encourage one another to stay healthy against the threat of the coronavirus.
