Amidst the mad scramble for surgical masks to protect ourselves against the coronavirus, the government is doing its best to make sure there’s enough to go around.
Every household stood to receive 4 masks each, which they can get from collection points near their homes.
But as of the final collection date, which is today (9 Feb), only 54% of households of collected their masks, according to The Straits Times (ST).
Noting that many may need more time to collect their free masks, the People’s Association will be extending the collection period till 29 Feb.
After the PA announced the distribution of free masks, many residents came down to the various collection points to obtain them.
But the fairly short period of 1 to 9 Feb and the abrupt announcement may have caught many unprepared to make the visit.
ST reports that only 54% of the 1.37 million households have collected their free masks.
That leaves over 630,000 households without the set of 4 masks that they rightfully deserve.
The masks can hopefully help to alleviate families’ concerns, especially with stocks running low everywhere and people reselling them at ridiculously high prices.
Even if you don’t use them every day, having them on hand may be useful in case the need arises.
After all, we wouldn’t want to waste the efforts of our soldiers who worked around the clock to pack them for us, right?
If you’re one of the many who have yet to collect your set of 4 free masks, you can do so at your nearby community centres or clubs during their opening hours.
Remember to bring along your identity cards.
The vulnerable who may not be able to collect the masks themselves will receive them directly at home, states ST.
Any leftover masks after the new deadline on 29 Feb will go to the national stockpile, so the medical sector can use them.
Let’s show our appreciation for the volunteers helping out in the operation by collecting the masks and thanking them for their efforts.
Featured image adapted from Facebook.
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