In the recent few months, we have been swamped by worries of the highest order…
No thanks to the highly infectious Covid-19, which has since been declared ‘pandemic’ status.
Granted, the state of our country could definitively be way worse off had the government not done such a commendable job in regards to the containment of the virus.
But as rumours spread that the Covid-19 is set to persist until at least end 2020, it is best to be mentally prepared…
For whatever comes next.
Thankfully, we do have a very capable team of medical professionals who strive to carry our asses, Coronavirus or not.
And despite having met some harsh, questionably unnecessary criticism, the medical workers of Singapore have since been lauded in other ways for the phenomenal job they’re doing in the light of current circumstances.
True, Singapore might’ve some real nasty individuals like yours truly, but now that I look at it as a collective…
The country might not be as third-class as some would preach, with striking individuals like Mr Nigel Teo who pushes for maximal positivity even with the current odds stacked against him.
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S’porean’s Humble Appreciation Wall For Covid-19 Workers Leads To Handing Out Donated Masks & Hand Sanitisers
The starting point for his intention to give back to society.
For 39-year-old tech entrepreneur Nigel Teo, creating a website that conveys the public’s well wishes to Singapore’s frontline healthcare workers.
Back in early February, Mr Teo started a website where people could proffer “positive stories” and “messages of gratitude” for frontline healthcare workers and Good Samaritans.
More than 80 submissions have been received.
According to him, the idea came after Singapore’s Disease Outbreak Response System (Dorscon) level was elevated to Orange on 7 Feb.
“There was a huge explosion of fear and negativity on WhatsApp chats and social media. But I realised that there were a few people out there trying to spread positivity, even though by and large, the population was focused on things that were negative,” he told TODAY.
And so, to encourage Singaporeans to be more positive, as well as spark a sense of neighbourliness between the citizens, Mr Teo launched a website that “displays thank-you messages submitted by people through WhatsApp or Google Forms”.
The idea swiftly took off: coupled with a live statistic tracker for the global Covid-19 outbreak, the website has garnered nearly 80,000 views.
“I see them in their N95 (mask), shield, goggles and I bet they have a hard time breathing but they still wear them anyway as they have to protect themselves, others and their loved ones,” one such contribution read.
A Mysterious Donor
It might’ve started out as a relatively insignificant venture, but as my wise editor once said:
“Every little bit counts.”
A few weeks later, he received 3,000 surgical masks from an anonymous donor in recognition of his efforts to spread cheer amongst his countrymen.
Mr Teo then applied for a grant from the Singapore Strong Fund and managed to procure a subsidy to buy 600 bottles of hand sanitiser.
Last Saturday (7 March), the tech entrepreneur gathered a few of his friends and handed out 900 masks and 300 bottles of sanitiser to hawkers at Tampines Round Market as well as residents living nearby.
“We decided to focus on the hawkers because they work in areas with high traffic, but no one really pays much attention to them during the outbreak. They are a group that would appreciate hand sanitisers and masks.”
Mr Desmond Choo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tampines Group Representation Constituency, was also invited.
“We decided to focus on the hawkers because they work in areas with high traffic, but no one really pays much attention to them during the outbreak. They are a group that would appreciate hand sanitisers and masks.”
According to TODAYonline, Mr Teo still has another 900 masks and 300 bottles of sanitisers to give out. And to think that it all stemmed from a singular idea of spreading positivity.
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Truly, even something small and insignificant might yet lead to big things.
And He’s Still Not Done Yet
Always craved for a more neighbour-friendly version of Carousell? Well, this is it.
Fresh from his recent exploits, Mr Teo has announced his next move:
The creation and distribution of an app called GoodHood.SG.
Scheduled to be launched this weekend, the app will allow neighbours to send messages to one another, and will also serve as a marketplace for sales/donations.
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Users will also be able to offer services such as music classes on the platform. To use the app, one will need to register with their postal code to connect with those residing in their neighbourhood.
And it seems that users of the app will get a little freebie too:
Mr Teo will be handing out masks to users of his app, in a bid to “kickstart the spirit of paying it forward”.
“Ultimately, my aim is to bring back the ‘kampung spirit’. I’ve spoken to some people who tried doing this and they said there’s no such thing as neighbourliness. I was quite disheartened because I don’t think it’s true,” he said.
“I hope that GoodHood won’t end with Covid-19, but will continue to blossom into something that is meaningful for Singapore.”
Well-said, Mr Teo. And in the light of current circumstances, I hope that your efforts will prove fruitful…
As the nation enters its darkest times in years.
On an ending note, you may submit your own positive story or message of gratitude through this link. And with that said, stay safe and take care.
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