It’s a time of crisis. A time of need. As the Coronavirus outbreak extends its reach, millions around the world (civilians, shops and mask-sellers alike) react with ill-concealed alarm, and tremble before the calamity that’s also known as the Wuhan Virus.
Truly, it’s a trying time, and one the world will remember for decades to come.
Despite everything, however, Humanity could yet survive this crisis. As long as we unite and help each other in this time of crisis, we can get through this pinch. Because that’s the Singaporean way, and one that will surely pave the way to survival for humanity-
“EH HOARD EVERYTHING AH. WE CONFIRM GET DIARRHOEA LATER ON SO WE BETTER STOCK UP ON 1,000 ROLLS OF TOILET PAPER.”
“EH EH EH BUY 20,000 BOXES OF MASKS EVEN THOUGH WE ONLY HAVE THREE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSEHOLD. COS I WANNA WEAR ONE EVERY MINUTE.”
“WA WUHAN VIRUS XIAOSCARY AH. POOR PEOPLE… TIME TO PROFIT OFF THEIR LUMBERING ASSES LOLOLOL LET’S BUY THOUSANDS OF MASKS AND JACK UP THEIR PRICES BY 500-1,000%! TROLOLOL.”
Well alright, so maybe Singapore’s way isn’t the correct one after all. Yet despite everything, there remains multiple sources of hope in the country: Carousell sellers who provide free masks for the needy, friendly neighbours who distribute necessities from door to door…
And sites like Singapore Atrium Sale, which call out irresponsible establishments that’ve chosen to make a living off other people’s misery:
Facebook Page Singapore Atrium Sale is Now Also Posting Images of Shops That Profiteer with Masks
Facebook page Singapore Atrium Sale might stake out a day job as a lobang site that shares really good deals, but it seems that in light of the Coronavirus outbreak and everything that has happened since, it has taken up a night job too:
A night vigilante, which weeds out suspicious establishments looking to profiteer off masks.
For instance, just 21 hours ago at the time of writing, the site uploaded a post that centered on a shop’s retail pricing for masks:
Deeming the shop’s—
Reader Bao: That’s a post about a lobang in Uniqlo
Oops, sorry, I saved that deal for myself. Going to the Page and not saving some deals is impossible. But anyways, here’s the correct one:
Deeming the shop’s pricing system ‘ridiculous’, the Facebook page went on to disclose the shop’s name, as well as its location.
Well, I doubt anyone’s going there now.
Similarly, a shop located at Tampines has also been dealt the same treatment. There’s even one in West Mall.
And it seems that as far as Singapore Atrium Sale’s concerned, jacking up prices for any necessity right now deserves the age-old ‘witch burning’ treatment.
And yes, that includes overly-priced hand sanitisers.
As long as retail malpractice is present, the site’s there to shame them all.
That’ll teach them to profit off a crisis.
But It’s Not All Bad
Notwithstanding the ‘indecent pricing’ in question, the majority of Singapore’s retailers still make it a point to observe the market price system:
And although stocks run out relatively fast, it’s still heartening to see that amidst all the negative things that’s being broadcasted right now…
Positive things are abundant too.
As such, let’s practice proper human etiquette and avoid jumping on the whole ‘up-selling and hoarding’ bandwagon. Spread the advice, and let’s try to put an end to this whole ‘kiasu’ mentality going on.
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Let’s not be the ‘first-world country, third-world citizens’ anymore, people.
Humans are kind—
Okay, when can I move to Mars?
