By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Feb 17: The wearing of face masks is now part of the new norm since the Covid-19 pandemic struck the whole world at the beginning of 2020.
While it’s compulsory to wear the face masks in the new norm, its disposal too has become a major issue to public health because used masks are discarded indiscriminately by users who are lacking in discipline, a sense of hygiene and lack of civic-mindedness.
In towns and cities throughout the Sarawak, the worst affected by this sense of public apathy are the areas under the jurisdiction of the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP).
MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang admitted that indiscriminate discarding of used face masks is as rampant as the illegal dumping of garbage in areas under MPP’s jurisdiction.
“I must admit that indiscriminate discarding of used face masks is as bad as illegal dumping of household garbage in MPP areas, especially in housing estates such as Matang Jaya and MJC and the Batu Kawah areas,” Lo told DayakDaily today.
He warned that MPP enforcement officers will compound litterbugs if they are caught red-handed.
However, he hoped that MPP would not resort to such drastic action if the people can change their habit.
“It has to start with a good education. So, we have to educate our people that indiscriminate dumping and discarding of used face masks is wrong and totally unacceptable,” said Lo, who is also Batu Kitang Assemblyman.
He added that the most common sites where litterbugs will throw away their used masks are in parking lots and near coffee shops.
Similarly, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng also urged Kuchingites to be more civic-minded and discard their used face masks indiscriminately.
“We will continue to organized health campaigns to educate our people not to throw their face masks indiscriminately. So far, we have organised two such campaigns already.
“The first one was in collaboration with JCI Kuching in conjunction with the World Clean-up Day which was held in September last year and the second one was held last month in collaboration with the Blessed Sacrament Church,” said Wee.
At the same time, Wee also advised members of the public that in the new norm, strict adherence to the SOP was vital to cut the chain of Covid-19 transmission.
“It is not uncommon to see people wearing masks just to cover their mouth but not their nose. They will complain that they can’t breathe.
“But my advice to them is to think of the frontliners who have to wear protective gears to help us fight the coronavirus pandemic. So, let’s fight this war together and let’s all be mindful and take care of our hygiene and that include to dispose of our face masks properly,” he appealed.
In places under the Miri City Council’s jurisdiction, Mayor Adam Yii said, indiscriminate discarding of used face masks is not that rampant but he still believed that the situation could be further improved.
“There are still some people who are doing it but it’s not that bad,” said Yii.
As for Sibu Rural District Council, its chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said, the council which looked after a vast area hoped the people will cooperate to make areas under its jurisdiction clean and healthy to live in.
“When the pandemic just started, we have experienced people who indiscriminately discard their face masks at parking lots and supermarket compounds. But now the situation has greatly improved,” he said.
Sempurai warned that the council’s enforcement team would not hesitate to compound or fine those who continued their bad habit of discarding their face masks or rubbish indiscriminately. -DayakDaily
