M’sian Man Wears ‘Protective Gear’ Made Of Garbage Bags For A Supermarket Trip, ‘Cause Safety First

Malaysian Man Wears PPE Made Of Garbage Bags To Avoid Getting Covid-19 In The Supermarket

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is usually reserved for healthcare professionals caring for Covid-19 patients.

Hence, an anxious man created DIY protective gear so he can stay safe.

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On Thursday (26 Feb), Malaysian national news agency Bernama discovered that engineer Zamakhyari Khairiri from Malaysia wore garbage bags in the supermarket. He paired the outfit with ski goggles, rubber boots, and masks.

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Here’s a look at this ordinary citizen’s extraordinary measures at virus prevention.

Garbage bags as protective gear

Mr Khairiri is a father of 3 from Kampung Bukit Payong in Kuala Terengganu — a city in Malaysia.

Amid the Covid-19 outbreak, he wore a garbage bag to buy food and essentials for his family.

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While many shoppers stared at him, he seemed unfazed as long as he remained safe.

He told Bernama,

I do not care what other people think, and in fact, this is a way I remind others about the steps that must be taken to curb the spread of the virus.

Mr Khairiri believes that there is a high rate of infection in supermarkets. Hence, his unusual outfit was designed to keep his children and those around him safe.

In places like this (supermarket), there is a high potential for the risk of infection, and this is my small way of taking care of the safety of my family and the people around me.

We applaud his dedication.

Not the first time

Using a garbage bag as a protective gear may seem like an extreme measure, but it’s not the first time that this has happened.

On Monday (23 Mar),  low supply of protective gear has led to healthcare workers arming themselves with bags and cling wrap in Malaysia.

A plastic bag may cover your entire body but it still doesn’t compare to the protection offered by a hazmat suit.

Life under lockdown

Mr Khairiri’s trip to the supermarket was the first time that he ventured out of his home since the nationwide lockdown that was implemented last Wednesday (18 Mar).

On Wednesday (25 Mar), Malaysia had extended the Movement Control Order (MCO) till 14 Apr.

The drastic action was implemented in hopes that residents will stay at home and avoid public places to curb the pandemic.

We have yet to see if these measures will help Malaysia eradicate the coronavirus completely.

However, Bernama reports that shoppers in the city of Kuala Terengganu wore masks and observed social distancing. Supermarkets and banks also provided hand sanitisers for public customers.

Providing more protective gear

There may be an ongoing public debate over protective gear for ordinary citizens. But we hope that this situation encourages governments to be prepared for a pandemic.

In the meantime, we hope that healthcare workers and vulnerable citizens will always have access to PPEs, surgical masks, and sanitisers.

Featured image from Bernama.