Aruleisa rule, it should apply to all

DURING this Covid-19 pandemic, the government has made it mandatory to wear facemasks on public transport and in crowded places where physical distancing isn’t possible. And lately there has been an upward swing in the Health Ministry’s daily report on Covid-19 infections. Also lately, I have seen an increase in the number of people who are not wearing facemasks when they’re supposed to or wearing them incorrectly.

My understanding of wearing a mask is that it should cover both the nose and the mouth. That is where breathing takes place. Yet, just drop in on any form of public transport – buses, trains, the LRT, MRT, monorail, ETS, etc – as well as in crowded places and you will see people leaving their noses uncovered. What is the use of covering the mouth when our breathing is mostly through the nose? Some even wear their mask pulled down beneath the chin!

The problem is compounded by those in authority. You can spot some of the “Yang Berhormat” (VIPs) either leaving noses uncovered or with masks pulled down on TV and in newspaper photos. And there are always crowds of supporters, many not wearing masks.

I have advised people wearing masks incorrectly to do it right but was told off, not once but many times. I think that it is only when VIPs are hauled up that the rakyat will sit up and take notice. Leadership is by example.

I applaud the Transport Minister for warning those who rode motorbikes without helmets, including some politicians on campaign rounds in villages (“No one above the law when it comes to helmet rules, says Wee”, The Star, Aug 26; online at bit.ly/star_helmets).

A rule is a rule, no matter who you are.