A Singapore doctor has spoken out against the Singapore government's new advice to not wear mask in public if one is well, describing the move as reckless and a gamble on human lives:
"Not wearing a mask in public greatly expose yourself to potential super-spreaders who, for any reasons or fears they have, are not seeking treatment... While I understand that there is a shortage of face mask in Singapore, the advice is reckless and a gamble on human lives. Many patients, especially the elderly ones, do not visit the hospital until their conditions become serious or when they feel they are unable to recover from self-medication and this is why all the more healthy people should protect themselves in public."
MOH propaganda poster telling people not to wear mask; Facebook
The doctor who works in a government hospital spoke to over the phone on conditions of anonymity. The Singapore doctor said many colleagues expressed similar reservations when they heard the Ministry of Health is telling the public not to wear a mask if, they think, they are feeling well. None of them spoke out against the ministry's directive out of fear they may face repercussions.
The doctor also pointed out that during the SARS outbreak in 2003, the Singapore government did not issue the "reckless" advice and they handled the situation much better. The Singapore government is also the only one that issues such an advice.
The Taiwan authorities have issued the following health measures for the public:
1) Wear a mask
2) Wash your hands with soap
3) Avoid crowded places
4) Avoid uncooked meat
5) See a doctor if you have been to China and are feeling unwell within 14 days
Taiwan government poster; China Times
Singapore's 5.7 million population currently needs at least 160 million face masks a month, and each face mask can only be used for a maximum of 6 hours. The Singapore government refused to declare how many face masks they have in stock, and only 4 pieces were issued to each household.