By June Low
The Covid-19 outbreak, which has spread to many countries, might have shown the ugly side of humans from hoarding and discrimination to fearmongering, as people panic and fear the mysterious disease. However, it has also brought out the good in people as they band together to help others and volunteer out of goodwill. Here are some kind and selfless acts by everyday people that instil hope in others’ lives amidst the fear and negativity.
1. A Couple Distributes 17,000 Free Masks at Punggol MRT


Amidst the frenzy and mask shortages, a kind-hearted couple distributed about 17,000 masks over the course of three days (Jan 31, Feb 1 and Feb 4) outside Punggol MRT. Adrian Tan and Yen Vy Vu Tran were celebrating Chinese New Year in Vietnam when they heard about the mask shortages, and decided to stock up on masks in Vietnam to distribute in Singapore. A couple of friends and family also helped to chip in to buy masks despite the two-boxes-per-purchase quota there, and ended up purchasing them to give out for free. Masks were snapped up by passers-by and many thanked them for their generosity.
2. A Malaysian Man Cleans the Playground for Children’s Safety



In Malaysia, Mustaqim Kumar Abdullah Sooria was seen cleaning a children’s playground, an area that is often dirty and unhygienic. According to a Facebook post, he attracted looks from passers-by, but he was cleaning the playground to protect children from the infectious Covid-19 disease. While people usually sanitise their own homes, he was thinking of the community at large and many praised him for his selfless act.
3. Chinese Whistleblowers Speak The Truth Despite Censorship

In China’s heavily-censored society, few dare to speak the truth, fearing repercussions. However, at the early onset of the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, there was a group of brave people who warned the public of a SARS-like disease, one of whom was Dr Li Wenliang, a doctor who also contracted the virus and later succumbed to it on 7 Feb 2020. The authoritarian government cracked down on these people, claiming that they had shared “false information”, even though Covid-19 was officially reported in late Jan 2020. When Dr Li was in hospital, he broke his silence to give interviews from his hospital bed, telling the New York Times: “If the officials had disclosed information about the epidemic earlier, I think it would have been a lot better. There should be more openness and transparency.”
Chinese netizens, for the first time, were furious at the handling of whistleblowers who warned the public and demanded freedom of speech on social media sites like Weibo. There was an outpour of grief and anger after Dr Li passed away, and many honoured him for daring to speak the truth.
4. Punggol Residents Leave Masks, Alcohol Swabs and Hand Sanitisers in Lifts



In Punggol, residents are leaving masks, alcohol swabs and hand sanitisers in HDB lifts for people to use amidst the severe shortage. This started as a “pay-it-forward” initiative by an individual living in Blk 267B Punggol Field, and it was shared on social media. Later, many residents reciprocated the kind act by topping up more supplies, and there was a “ripple effect” of more people doing the same thing in other neighbourhoods.
5. Medical Staff Around The World Fight at the Frontline


Medical staff have stepped up to the frontline to fight the disease, despite being the most vulnerable to it and possibly putting those close to them at risk. Because of the infectious nature of Covid-19 and the alarming rise of cases in China, medical staff in China have to help out in Wuhan and most are overworked, without being able to even go to the toilet, as some are using adult diapers to avoid taking off their protective equipment.
In Singapore, healthcare workers are serving at the frontline to treat Covid-19 patients and to ensure others at hospitals stay safe from the virus. Singaporeans too are supporting their selfless service by donating to send them lunch boxes and writing them heartfelt notes of gratitude.



#BraveHeartSG, led by Stand Up For Singapore, a crowdsourcing platform, invited people to write notes of encouragement for doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who are busy treating patients. Hail Our Heroes, an initiative by Stefanie Yuen Thio, organised free lunch bento deliveries to Singapore General Hospital and has also spurred other companies to do the same for other hospitals.
6. Carousell Sellers Give Masks Away For Free



As some sellers on Carousell buy masks to resell at exorbitant prices, there are those who extend their compassion by giving free masks to people in need. This has been enabled by Carousell’s #ChooseToGive programme, which allows users to give essential items such as masks, hand sanitisers, food and alcohol swabs away for free. As user Benjamin says, “We want to do our part to help the community in need and to inspire more people to land a helping hand during a crucial time.”
Inspired to help? Check out Carousell’s #ChooseToGive initiative here to find out how you can help the community and those in need.