Masks are quickly making a comeback

GEORGE TOWN: The masks are out again, though the wearers are putting them on more to deal with the haze and unhealthy air quality.

“It is safer to wear a mask when we are outdoors now that the haze is back,” said businessman Wilson Wan, 52, who was spotted with a mask while walking on the street yesterday.

For pensioner Daniel Fong, 53, he said wearing a mask could not only protect him from the haze but also from other diseases.

“I have become used to wearing a mask for protection since the pandemic started. It’s like a norm for me now. People my age are more prone to illnesses if the air quality is bad,” he said.

As at 4pm yesterday, the API readings at Balik Pulau and Minden on the island were 94 and 83 respectively, while in Prai and Seberang Jaya, it was 86.

An API of between zero and 50 is considered good air quality; 51 and 100 moderate; 101 and 200 unhealthy; 201 and 300 very unhealthy; and 300 and above hazardous.

Observation by The Star from the Tun Lim Chong Eu Expressway saw Komtar partly shrouded by the haze.

For civil servant Muhammad Syafiq Abdul Rahim, 29, he said that he would go ahead with a fishing trip with his two friends, Abu Bakar Mansor, 38, and Mohd Omar Mansor, 30.

“We had planned this for sometime. And since the haze situation is still under control, we don’t think there’s a need to cancel the trip.

“The boat man promised to take us to Pulau Jerejak if the visibility is not so bad,” he said.

However, Muhammad Syafiq conceded that they might have to postpone their trip if the haze situation worsened.

Meanwhile, state health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the people should take precautionary measures.

“The public should be alert and always monitor the API readings from time to time to learn more about the haze.

“If the situation turned bad, the people should reduce or avoid physical or outdoor activities for their own safety,” he said.