200 Cartons of Masks (72,000 pieces) Exported from Singapore on 2nd Day of CNY - Why It Was OK

You may have already know that 200 cartons of Masks (72,000 pieces) was exported from Singapore on the 2nd day of CNY. The destination was Wuhan, China, and it was performed voluntarily by Chinese Nationals in Singapore.

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 Image Source: https://www.yan.sg/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/frc-f3f5126dd37eff82ed7798fed9da591f.jpg

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Before anyone gets emotional, we need to accept the fact that China, especially Wuhan, is in a much critical situation, and would need the masks more than any one of us. The situation is very bad there, it was said that even doctors had to use transparent file folders to improvise masks.

  Image Source:  https://www.yan.sg/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/frc-6ae29cc0b6948864aabdd8ac879a4338.jpg

The end results of that 200 cartons of Masks, which was sent to Wuhan, China, was very well received by the local authority. On that, we have to award praises to those Chinese Nationals in Singapore, for taking the initiative to help China, and potentially reducing any further complication of the current situation.

However, taking a step back, there are 3 questions that need to be answered:
1) How many masks would China need per month?
2) After all other cities in China contributed to the required amount, how much more could the international communities contribute to that?
3) How many masks could each country contribute, in order to ensure that it would not deplete its own needs?

Well, I don't have those answers, you wouldn't have the answers, those Chinese Nationals wouldn't have those answers too. Possibly, only the Government would have the answers to those questions.

So for those 200 cartons of Masks (72,000 pieces), which was exported from Singapore on the 2nd day of CNY, was it too much for Singapore to handle? Seriously, I don't think so, because technically, Singapore DO NOT need the masks then (and yet). Therefore, personally, I would still support the act that those China Nationals did. The act was not just a demonstration of patriotism, it was also a great act of humanity. As Singaporeans (whether you are of Chinese race or not), we should be fully supportive of that.

However, the following questions popped up in my mind:
1) Today, are masks still being exported from Singapore directly from the factories to anywhere else? How many are there?
2) Are there any statistics on the quantity exported, the purpose and by who?
3) Are there anybody working as a 'gate-keeper' to ensure that a reasonable amount was exported without depleting the country's own needs?

Again, I don't have the answer. If you have been trying to get some masks, you will come across these familiar scenes.

 Image Source: https://mustsharenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Lot-One-Shoppers-Queue-For-Surgical-Masks-To-Cope-With-Wuhan-Mania-Each-Only-Allowed-To-Buy-10-V2.jpg

Enquiring for Masks Directly At Pharmacy (No Stock)

Watsons - No Stock

 

Unity - No Stock

Guardian - No Stock

So is there a shortage of masks currently? Well, this depends on which angle you are looking from. Although we often see those out-of-stock signs, typically, in the next few days, the stock would be replenished; of course, to be honest, it would again run out in a couple of minutes.

So, should we all run out, get into long queues to try and grab as many masks as we could now? Strictly speaking, we shouldn't. On the other hand, should we just ignore all these and not get any? Well, I would say we shouldn't too; at the very least, we need to have some on hand to standby, in case we fall sick or when the situation got worse.

The current directive from Government is not to use masks indiscriminately, and to use it only if you are feeling unwell. This is indeed a very logical recommendation (at least for now) and I fully support it. We should not be wasteful on the masks at this moment of time, at least, not yet. Government had also taken the initiative to distribute 4 masks for each household for free.

Now the golden question: How many masks should we have for standby? Again, the answer is not with me, because this depends on the following factors:
1) Usage pattern and number of members in the household
2) Frequency and duration of sickness (also are we supposed to reuse the mask for the whole duration of the same illness?)
3) Turnaround time to replenish the masks

If the turnaround time to replenish the mask is one day, and it is readily available when one needs it, just like buying a bottle of coke, you go to the store, grab the bottle and pay, then basically 4 masks would be more than enough for a household. In the event that someone falls sick, one could just walk into any store to get new supplies. Unfortunately, if you have tried buying masks, you will know that this is not the case.

I know it is tiring and stressful to keep going to stores every few hours to check stocks; even if you are lucky, at most you would be getting is only 10 pieces of masks. Worst, the queues and the Out-Of-Stock notices really freak people out!!!

How could this be improved? The following are my suggestions:
1) Stop / Control unauthorised bulk purchases, especially from factories / wholesalers
2) Implement online purchases via NTUC Fairprice online, using SingPass (or whatever) to limit and track the purchase amount per household, and with SingPost/RCs as a delivery/collection option
3) Stop profiteering activities

(1) Stop / Control unauthorised bulk purchases, especially from factories / wholesalers

For (1), this should have been done in the first place, and I have no idea why it was not.

(2) Implement online purchases via NTUC Fairprice online

For (2), all the infrastructures are there, there is basically no technical issues. I believe that Singaporeans are generally very reasonable and willing to pay a fair price for it and wait a few weeks to receive it. The key point is to give People the assurance that they could get the masks they required. Going on the media, showing the warehouse of the stock for the masks is simply too superficial; today, with all the dramas/movies/Netflix, people are smarter and they only look at what they have on-hand.

Back to the earlier question: How many masks should we have for standby? This would require the Government to come up with the proposed usage scenario, turnaround time for replenishment, and adjust this according to the changing situation.

(3) Stop profiteering activities

For (3), I have always been wondering why there are no control on this. I can understand why individuals are selling items for a profit, however if the price is exorbitant and with quantity exceeding what a normal business would have, isn't it time for action?

For businesses, ACRA requires all businesses to provide 2 Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) codes to indicate the nature of the business. Isn't this enough to even single out businesses who are trying to make a quick profit? On top of that we also have Price Control Act, couldn't we leverage on that? In the worst case, if all else are not applicable, just erect a new law for this tomorrow then, isn't this the best way to demonstrate the agility and efficiency of a single-party government?

In summary, I would like to highlight the fact that unknown and uncertainties often create the worst fear. Instead of reiterating that stock level is sufficient, and advising people not to panic, it would be more effective to advise, for now, what is the recommended number of masks for standby, suggested usage and the turnaround time to replenish the masks. At the same time, rollout the online ordering system now, since I believe the fulfillment might take weeks.

Remember, when people have no idea on the recommended number of masks for standby, suggested usage and the turnaround time to replenish the masks, they would naturally try to play safe and gauge these on their own. What people need is a DEMONSTRATED assurance that they could get the masks when they required! Online ordering system with a fulfillment date of a specific quantity is all they need!

Lastly, I would like to highlight that it is better to announce the rollout of an online ordering system now, with a later rollout date; rather than to do it after the situation worsen (in case it might). Even though both approaches might be 'live' on the same day, the perception of proactiveness rather than reactiveness would make a great differences when People evaluate the handling of this whole episode later this year.