Yesterday, images of Singaporeans crowding outside a store in JEM made the rounds on social media.

However, there wasn’t a new bubble tea store or fast food outlet in sight.

Instead, they were queuing for what has recently become our species’ most prize possession, after hand sanitiser and toilet paper: face masks.

And not just any face mask, Uniqlo’s AIRism face mask. 

You may have heard about how Japanese shoppers formed long queues outside Uniqlo stores and even crashed its website after it launched its all-new AIRism masks.

#ユニクロ　#マスク
ちゃんと歩くと馬鹿をみる pic.twitter.com/XUbMbYWo0T

— カニちゃん (@scooter_daylife) June 19, 2020

Yes, Japanese aunties, uncles, and young people alike were all running frantically for face masks.

And Singaporeans did the same exact thing soon after.

So, what the heck is so special about these damn masks?

They’re Made of Underwear Fabric

One of the reasons these masks are so highly sought after is that they’re made of the same material used for Uniqlo’s popular AIRism underwear line.

According to The Straits Times, AIRism undergarments are made of a “specially-developed fabric known for a smooth, silky feel.”

I’ve never personally worn one, but these undergarments must be so comfortable and gentle on your, uh, parts, that people couldn’t wait to wrap it around their faces.

Fortunately, they waited for Uniqlo to make an actual face mask instead of using their own used underwear.

Ah Hock: Speak for yourself

It’s Super Cool

Another reason why people rushed out of their homes at 10 in the morning to purchase these masks is that they are, according to developers, super cool.

According to Uniqlo, the AIRism Face Mask is composed of three unique layers of protection.

The outermost layer offers UV protection of UPF 40 while the middle layer functions as a filter.

The innermost layer is made of its signature AIRism material which keeps the wearer cool in hot weather by releasing moisture and heat.

Just like Singapore, summers in Japan can be scorching and unforgiving; temperatures in Shizuoka prefecture rose to 41.1 degrees Celsius just a week ago.

This is why residents in Japan and Singapore rushed to Uniqlo’s stores and crashed its website just to get their hands on the new masks; because it’s as cool as a bowl of Chendol on a hot summer’s day.