A 61-year-old man was fined S$2,000 for refusing to wear a mask on the MRT on Tuesday (March 22).
The man, who was not wearing a mask, was approached by SMRT staff at Jurong East MRT station at about 10am. He refused to comply with their request to wear a mask and became agitated.
The police were called and the man was arrested. He was later charged in court and pleaded guilty to one count of failing to wear a mask in a public place.
Under the Infectious Diseases (Measures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19) Regulations, it is mandatory for everyone to wear a mask when in a public place. Those who fail to comply may be fined up to S$5,000 or jailed up to six months, or both.
Why is it important to wear a mask?
Masks help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by:
- Blocking respiratory droplets from being released into the air when you cough, sneeze, or talk
- Filtering out respiratory droplets that are in the air
Wearing a mask is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Benefits of wearing a mask
There are many benefits to wearing a mask, including:
- Reduced risk of spreading COVID-19
- Reduced risk of getting COVID-19
- Reduced severity of COVID-19 symptoms
- Protection from other respiratory illnesses
Tips for wearing a mask
Here are some tips for wearing a mask effectively:
- Make sure the mask fits snugly over your nose and mouth
- Do not touch the front of the mask
- Replace the mask if it becomes wet or dirty
- Wash your hands before and after putting on or taking off the mask
How to make a mask
If you do not have a mask, you can make one at home using the following materials:
- Two pieces of fabric, each at least 6 inches square
- Two rubber bands
Follow these steps to make a mask:
- Place the two pieces of fabric together, right sides facing.
- Sew around the edges of the fabric, leaving a small opening at the bottom.
- Turn the mask right side out and press the edges.
- Fold the bottom edge of the mask up by about 1 inch and press.
- Thread the rubber bands through the folds at the top and bottom of the mask.
- Tie the rubber bands securely.
Conclusion
Wearing a mask is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Make sure to wear a mask when you are in a public place, and follow these tips for wearing a mask effectively.
Tables
Table 1: Number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore
| Date | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| March 22, 2022 | 1,748 |
| March 21, 2022 | 1,663 |
| March 20, 2022 | 1,585 |
| March 19, 2022 | 1,499 |
| March 18, 2022 | 1,416 |
Table 2: Effectiveness of masks in preventing COVID-19
| Type of mask | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| N95 mask | 95% |
| Surgical mask | 70% |
| Cloth mask | 50% |
Table 3: Benefits of wearing a mask
| Benefit | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Reduced risk of spreading COVID-19 | Masks block respiratory droplets from being released into the air when you cough, sneeze, or talk |
| Reduced risk of getting COVID-19 | Masks filter out respiratory droplets that are in the air |
| Reduced severity of COVID-19 symptoms | Masks can help to reduce the viral load in the airways, which can lead to milder symptoms |
| Protection from other respiratory illnesses | Masks can also help to protect you from other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and the common cold |
Table 4: Tips for wearing a mask
| Tip | Why it’s important |
|---|---|
| Make sure the mask fits snugly over your nose and mouth | A loose mask will not be as effective at blocking respiratory droplets |
| Do not touch the front of the mask | Touching the front of the mask can contaminate it with germs |
| Replace the mask if it becomes wet or dirty | A wet or dirty mask will not be as effective at blocking respiratory droplets |
| Wash your hands before and after putting on or taking off the mask | This will help to prevent the spread of germs |
