TraceTogether Token Make My Life Easier During Pandemic

 

My TraceTogether Token - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

What is that thing? Here in Singapore, we call it TraceTogether token that everyone should have to make contact tracing easier in order to control the spread of Coronavirus. For me, personally, it makes my life much easier during the pandemic.

I have been using the TraceTogether token since February 2021 ( I guess). My husband and I visited our Community Club to take our device. When we arrived, there were just some people who come to take the token. After checked in with TraceTogether App and checked the temperature, we were allowed to proceed to the counter. To take this device, we need to bring our IC (Identity Card) because they need to check before giving it to us and write-down our phone number as well. 

Behind this token, there is my name and also code that I use to scan when entering a mall, hypermarket, or any public places. We must bring this device every time when we go out. And there is a blinking green light appear wherever we near the other people who bring the same device. If the token has a green light that blinks once every minute, it is working well.  So, with this token is make easy for a government to control the spread of Coronavirus in the community. Once when someone is infected by the Covid-19 virus, then people who near or meet him/ her, will be contacted and placed in quarantine. So, it helps with tracing close contact of confirmed Covid-19 patients so they can be identified and quarantined quickly to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the community.

Before using this token I felt uneasy whenever I went out. I had to hold my phone, open the TraceTogether App, did check-in by scanning the barcode before entering the shop or place that I visited, and must do check-out when out. And sometimes I forgot to check-out and realized it after 1 or 2 hours at home. To be honest, I was stressed with all those things. The worst part was a day before I took some kind of exam my camera phone broke and I panicked. If I could not check-in the building which meant I could not take part in the exam. How frustrated I was at the time. And yes I failed my exam! Lots of anxiety!😢 

After encountering some inconvenient situations, I think it is time to take my token when the government announced the distribution of tokens from Monday, 1st February 2021. This smart device is free that the Singapore government distributing since September 14 last year. We can choose whether to use TraceTogether App or TraceTogether token because the TraceTogether token is an alternative for those who prefer not to use a phone. Something that you must know that TraceTogether is mandatory in Singapore to enter public places like restaurants, shopping malls, et cetera. And my decision is TraceTogether token because it makes my move easy during the pandemic. Like I mentioned before I felt stressed when using TraceTogether App🤦‍♀️ With this token, I just bring it whenever I go out without worry about forgetting check-out and the hassle of check-in. You can imagine when I need to visit some shops; check-in & check-out will make me lost my focus on how what I had to buy. 

If the token is faulty then we can get a new one by replacing it. For example, when it has a blinking red light or the light has stopped blinking. We can call the hotline or for me, simply visit my Community Club if something happens to my token. 

That's my story about my TraceTogether token. I think it is an important tool to help the spread of coronavirus in the community. One of my friends said, "I envy that Singapore is one of the safer places during the pandemic." I said to her that her country could get through the tumultuous situation if everyone works together as a nation, and instead of complaining about government rules or laws, we can do our part for instance put on our mask, bringing sanitizer when going out, wash hand frequently, socially responsible (avoid gathering), stay at home as much as possible which is if you do not have any essential matters like going to work, school, buying groceries or medicine. Even if the daily community case is low; yesterday was zero, we still take precautions measurement. Everyone who breaches the Covid-19 safety measurement will get jail for up to 6 months and a fine of up to $ 10,000. 

Thank you for reading my article, and read my garden article; The Beauty of Dwarf Hibiscus Flower, the link is here https://ichi-garden.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-beauty-of-dwarf-hibiscus-flower.html

See you in the next article!🖐🙂

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Do not copy this article without permission
• Do not reuse this photograph anywhere else without permission

Making DIY 4-layer mask with felt as non-woven material

4-layer maks designed by Acik Mardhiyanti - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

The world changes rapidly and so are we. Since the Covid-19 struck our world last year wearing a mask is compulsory which means we have to buy it just like groceries that need them every day. The money will involve and the big question is "how much money do we need to spend on masks?" At this point by making DIY masks becomes popular and trigger many people more creative every day to design DIY mask. On top of that, the biggest question is how to make a proper handmade mask against the Covid-19 virus by using unexpensive material?

4-layer mask designed by Acik Mardhiyanti - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

The first thing that I thought in my mind was how poor families could afford masks. If you are following my Ichikraft Give and Care blog then immediately you know the family who lives in poverty have always been struggling to earn money every day just to provide food. With a wage range between $15 - $ 40 a month, it's virtually impossible to buy masks for their family. Which one they choose, buying masks to protect them or buying foods to fill their stomach? Who will take full responsibility for their real issues? 

4-layer mask designed by Acik Mardhiyanti - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

I came out with the idea by using felt as non-woven material to substitute surgical masks. I believe many of you know that surgical mask material is a nonwoven material. Where the idea from? First of all, I would like to say that felt is a common material for my handiwork. Basically, since I have started my business, this material tags along with me which means I used to use it. In January 2020, we had a shortage of masks in the market. Believe me, at that time we couldn't find masks everywhere. Feeling desperate, of course, but it is not my personality if I just give up so easily before finding a solution. The first mask I made was 1-layer masks to cover the mount. The second mask that I made was 4-layer masks with nonwoven and cotton material inside. At this point, I have used felt which I believe do the same work as a surgical mask. However, before decided use felt as a nonwoven material, I did a search by googling what kind of nonwoven material is. That's how I found out and made a decision to create the 4-layer mask by using felt and cotton inside. After almost a year since the second mask I created, I have made my third mask and they are still 4-layer with felt and cotton inside, but in a different design. 

4-layer mask designed by Acik Mardhiyanti - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

The cotton inside the mask that I have made is our t-shirt. Well, sometimes we have some clothes that we do not use it anymore. Why do I need to add cotton inside? What I have believed is that more layers are more protection. White cotton is my choice because it won't absorb the heat compared to dark colors, for instance, black, dark blue et cetera.

4-layer mask designed by Acik Mardhiyanti - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

The DIY 4-layer mask that I have made is hand sew. Even if hand sew but still I can produce acceptable masks. I wish I have a sewing machine at home, unfortunately haven't. For me, whether have it or not, I am still capable to create something useful with my hands. Challenging my limit is my motivation that can push my creativity beyond. Well, I could say my work is not bad 😁 

4-layer mask designed by Acik Mardhiyanti - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

The front and back layer is pattern fabric, the second layer is felt, the third layer is cotton material. If you are following my article then instantly you know that I have made this kind of mask since March 2020 and it becomes my standard that we can make easy at home and use it to protect us against the Covid-19 virus. Indeed, it just my assumption without any prove properly such as to conduct research, but this kind of mask will useful for people who live in poverty. That's my dedication to finding solutions for poor people in the pandemic situation. Not only them but also for me😊 I am happy that I do not need to spend some money on masks every month. Believe it or not, I haven't used my money to buy masks, not a single one. 

4-layer mask designed by Acik Mardhiyanti - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

The vantages about this particular mask are cheaper materials that affordable for poor people, easy to make at home as long have a needle and thread, and washable with distinctive caution because we deal with felt; remember do not wash this mask in the washing machine. After hand washes with detergent, we can soak it into disinfectant. It sounds good, right? 

Sometimes we just need to creative and willing to learn something else rather than only complaining about so many things. I think we should thank this unprecedented crisis because we are reborn as a stronger person to get through this situation. Keep your courage, embrace it, we can make it!

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Do not copy this article without permission
• Do not reuse these photographed anywhere else without permission