Homemade face shields for frontliners

SANDAKAN: The Sandakan Indian Association led by its president Taren Sunil Manoharan distributed over 100 face shields to frontliners who are engaged in the fight against Covid-19.

Among the recipients were members of the Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) enforcement team stationed at Kim Fung Market and the Elopura assemblyman’s Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) staff.

Taren Sunil also distributed 50 sets to the police and another 50 to other SMC units.

“The face shields provide protection for the entire face and they offer additional protection when used with the face masks. We intend to make another 200 more of them and distribute to those who need them,” said Taren Sunil who together with his family and other members of SIA, have been producing them at home.

He said others who really needed face shields for better protection were those working in the hospitals, clinics and other health-related services as well as Rela members who do frequent patrolling. Meanwhile Taren Sunil, who is the head of the Highway and Public Utilities Committee (HPUC), visited the Kim Fung Market in Sandakan. He praised shoppers there for their cooperation and understanding.

“It was wonderful to see that they have extended their full cooperation in following the rules imposed under the Movement Control Order,” said Taren Sunil after he and SMC councilors and enforcement team turned up early at the market to check on implementation of the rules.

Alex and Kenny Lee from Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong’s UPPM were also present to help out. SMC has been working closely with Chong and his team to solve issues faced by Sandakan residents.

“Obviously people now fully realize that it is for the good of the community as well as for themselves to follow the MCO rules on social distancing,” said Taren Sunil.

Shoppers at Kim Fung Market were seen lining up and patiently waiting for their turn to enter the market. All were done in a very orderly manner. SMC staff had marked out lines on the ground as a guide for the one meter spacing between each person.

They also took the temperature reading of each person before he or she was allowed to enter the market. They also limited the number of persons allowed in at any one time so that there would be no crowding inside the market.

Taren Sunil expressed his confidence that the customers at Kim Fung Market will continue to systematically follow the MCO rules.