COVID-19 : This is why Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan have a low infection rate. And it's NOT because of masks.

Recently, there have been several petitions supporting the cause to make wearing masks compulsory. I had the privilege to be trained in the way respirators (N95, FFP2) and surgical masks work and would like to share my thoughts. We are facing a global SHORTAGE of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) for critical care workers. People have created a false demand for masks, without fully understanding how the mask actually works against coronavirus. A mask DOES not prevent the virus from getting into you. First, let's go into the science of how a cough or sneeze works.

4 stages of cough and sneeze including distance and speed

Have you ever wondered why the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Singapore government strongly advised people to WEAR A MASK ONLY WHEN THEY ARE SICK? It's because the mask acts as a barrier to prevent the droplets from escaping into the air. Please refer to the image above while you read the below two scenarios.

Scenario 1: Sick person wearing a mask

If you look at the picture above, Stage 1 and 2 shows large droplets escaping from a person's mouth or nose. This can be easily contained with a surgical mask (e.g. the blue rectangular mask worn by a dentist).

Scenario 2: Sick person NOT wearing a mask

If the sick person is NOT wearing a mask, you will enter stage 3 and 4 where the droplets turn into microparticles. Covid-19 particles are up to 0.12 microns. Medical respirators, such as the N95 and FFP2 masks, can only filter particulate matter up to 0.3 microns. Anything below 0.3 microns will easily pass through a N95 mask! Even if you're wearing a N95 mask and standing beside a person who just coughed or sneezed, the mask will be USELESS as the particles can still enter your EYES, NOSE AND MOUTH.

*UPDATE* 4th April 2020

The Singapore government has encouraged the use of the general public to wear masks as local transmission becomes more apparent. Thus, the government will be giving out reusable masks. This does not contradict the above post, as a mask does not prevent the virus from getting into you, but if by any chance you have the virus, it prevents the virus from getting to others. So please do not waste N95 masks as it works best with the critical care workers decked in full PPE instead.

WE NEED THESE SURGICAL MASKS TO BE AVAILABLE IN PHARMACIES, SO THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK CAN BUY IT.

WE NEED THESE N95 MASKS AND RESPIRATORS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR CRITICAL CARE WORKERS, BECAUSE THESE MASKS ARE PART OF A FULL SET TO GIVE THEM ADEQUATE PROTECTION: FACE SHIELD, GOGGLES, N95 MASK, PPE, SAFETY CAP.

This graph does not tell the full picture!!!

Just because the masks are the most 'visible' form of protective equipment and also the poster child for Italy and China, it has zero relevance as to why countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea have lower rates of transmission.

1. People from Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong tend to use utensils when eating their food. They don't eat with BARE hands.

If you've been to France, Italy, Spain, America and Switzerland, chances are you had to eat your sandwich, burger or sub with BARE hands. It was quite common to be served complimentary bread in most European countries. Most of the time, the bread is too hard to even have a dinner knife cut through it. As the staple food for Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong is RICE, most people would be using a spoon or a fork to eat. In fact, the Japanese do not even use their bare hands to pick up their fries in McDonald's. I've made several observations and found that they only eat the fries while touching only the packaging!

2. Soap dispensers is common in the public restrooms in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong

A rare find: It's hard to find soap in Western countries

Did you know that several western countries have removed their soap dispensers in toilets because of vandalism? Some of the countries DO NOT even have a soap dispenser in their airport toilets. You'll find that most toilets in Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong would have soap. In Singapore, water taps are also automated in major shopping centers, and you do not need to touch any handle to exit the toilet. I find it absolutely annoying that the water taps in the western world requires you to 'turn the knob'.

3. People from Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong do not usually speak loudly till their saliva droplets splatter on your face.

There were times when I could be standing really near a westerner, but feel their saliva splattering on my face because of the way of speech. In certain languages, you need to generate a lot of saliva in your mouth to ensure the words come out correctly. For example, I learned through my german class that some words require a deep, throaty, sound, while in my french class I have to make certain 'spitting' noises!

4. The Japanese, Singaporeans, Hong Kongers and South Koreans DO NOT wear shoes into their house.

There's an ongoing research stating that covid-19 can stay on the soles of your shoes for 5 days. We know that its common for westerns to wear shoes into their house (but did you know some of them also wear their shoes onto their bed?!)

5. Japan intentionally did not test widely for coronavirus - hence the graph does not state the true number.

If you did not test as widely as you should, the numbers would definitely be low. This has already been flagged out by a few media agencies.

6. Singaporeans do not wear masks. Each household is supplied only 4 masks, and told to wear the mask only if there is someone ill.

My family and friends who are currently in Singapore tell me that they don't wear a mask. I thought they were lying, until I looked through their instagram stories... it's really difficult to find a post where most people are wearing masks. There are some disruptions like working from home and social distancing measures, but no, most people do not wear a mask in Singapore.

7. Breaking the chain of transmission and contact tracing are TWO strategies that will stop the spread. NOT MASKS.

This is what pandemic experts have repeated time and time again. If you're not convinced, please watch "pandemic" on netflix. If masks could help stop or slow the spread, then why do doctors and nurses in the hospitals wear gloves, head caps, eye goggles and gowns? You have to be in full gear to be protected.

So.... who should wear a mask?

1. People who are sick.

2. People who are working in healthcare.

Frequently asked questions

(A) What happens when I wear a N95 / surgical mask, but I'm not sick?

1. Higher rate of infection, as most people do not know how to take off a mask properly. I've seen people putting their masks on their chin, head, neck. A mask is not a fashion accessory.

2.  Higher rate of infection, as most people touch their masks because it is uncomfortable. If your fingers are contaminated, the particles can seep through the masks.

3. You're unintentionally murdering people, as a critical care worker may not have access to the mask. Several italian doctors have died because of PPE shortage. Please use a surgical mask or homemade mask instead.

4. You're creating a false demand for masks, and the resources in factories could be used to manufacture other gear like gloves and disposable gowns.

5. Higher rate of infection, because the people who are truly sick cannot find masks anywhere as they're always out-of-stock.


(B) How do I check if my mask is real or fake?
There are more fake masks in the market than there are real. In fact, I've found a few retailers selling uncertified masks. A certified masks mean that they have gone through several rounds of pressure and fit testing to ensure a level of protection. All suppliers and retailers should do their due diligence and check against the certifying body to ensure that the mask is certified. There are a lot of photoshopped certificates I got from the manufacturers.

(C) Why is the mask a symbol for China and Italy's coronavirus situation?
The government needs to assure their population that they have it under control. Throughout history, symbols have always been used as a form of 'assurance', or a logo to unite the people. How do you create a symbol out of actions like washing hands, taking off your shoes before entering the house and not eating with bare hands? So the easiest way to create a symbol in this pandemic is the mask!


(D) What is the Cori Reuasble Supermask about? Why did the Singapore government advocate masks now?

There has been a growing body of evidence around the world that many asymptomatic patients are still transmitters of the virus. This means that a lot of people are still going out and about, unknowingly infecting other people. The masks given out by the Singapore government is to prevent other people from getting the virus if you had it. Please do not touch your mask unless you have washed your hands, as your contaminated fingers may still cause you to contract the virus. To remove the mask, only touch the ear holes and not the face area.

Masks & PPE is still in severe shortage around the world. Several healthcare workers have died as a result of that. Let us ensure the safety of our critical care workers by social distancing, washing our hands and staying home. Thank you for caring and sharing!