Source: Google Images
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| Source: Google Images |
Have you ever imagined that face masks have become vital accessories for us to wear these days? In the past years, we are living our life happily with freedom, and there is no urgency for all people across the globe to rely on face masks. However, since the critical pandemic caused by the deadly novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19 has occurred, face masks play a prominent role in protecting us against the threatening disease. Face masks can be used to lower the risk of being infected with COVID-19. When a person wears a face mask, it may help to prevent the virus from spreading through tiny droplets and respiratory secretion. Therefore, it is essential for us to wear face masks. I am sure that you do not want to be affected by this infectious disease. Nevertheless, face masks shall be disposed properly in order to hinder environmental pollution.
Source: Google Images
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| Source: The Star |
This can be seen in the video by The Star, whereby it is stated that there has been serious concern about environmental pollution caused by inappropriate disposal of face masks in Malaysia, especially since the government mandated the use of face masks in congested places and on public transportation commencing August 1st.
Source: The Star
Additionally, there are photographs of used face masks lying in parks and other areas that have sparked outrage and concerns on social media. Furthermore, there are also a lot of face masks were dumped improperly in several places in Klang Valley. Therefore, from the video, there are four main respondents who speak out their opinion regarding this crucial issue.
Source: The Star
The first respondent, Asyraf Shukri, a private sector employee, expressed concern that littering would become a habit among Malaysians. He asserted that the virus can linger on the surface for three to four hours, or more, according to the health organization. If the face masks are dispersed carelessly, a homeless person or child may pick them up, allowing the illness to spread quickly. Asyraf added that the perpetrators should be fined, and the government needs to enhance their campaign, especially on media platforms to improve the society's awareness.
Source: The Star
The second respondent is Asmawati Sani, a shop owner, who indicated that sanitation employees are easily infected since they pick up discarded face masks with their bare hands. She added that people who are mentally unfit have the tendency to touch contaminated face masks, thus, the disease spreads, and not everyone may realise this.
Source: The Star
Furthermore, the third respondent is Abdul Fattah Sheikh Zaki, who works as “Exco Pemuda Agrotekno Malaysia”, expressed that Malaysians shall look at Japanese as role model because they are well-disciplined in cleanliness. Malaysians have displayed insufficient accountability for cleanliness through the mundane act of littering face masks. Thus, he proposed that the government should penalize people who scattered face masks, so Malaysians would be more responsible. Besides, he stated that Singapore has imposed many regulations to protect its citizens, which is why Singapore is cleaner than our country. He assumed that not all Malaysians litter, but if some do, it may jeopardize our country’s image, particularly as a host to visitors.
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| Source: The Star |
Lastly, the last respondent, Saiful Bahari Abu Hanifah, who works as bank executive, indicated that some people can’t afford to purchase face masks, hence they reuse them. Then, he claimed that the price of face masks shall be reduced, and they shall be provided to students. This is because some students may come from low-income families, therefore requiring masks and changing them on a regular basis would be difficult for them.
Source: The Star
As Malaysians, it is important for us to not litter around and keep our country clean.
PUTRI AINA ADRIANA BINTI HASMADI (203826)
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