In a tropical wonderland, pollution is very visible. On a normal day Singapore stands out. Clean streets, no visible trash, lush green all around you, and wonderful skies. In the past few years one thing has changed, the skies. Seasonally, a combination of forest fires and burning on palm plantations leads to a gray smoky haze that blankets everything in Singapore and stretches up into Malaysia. I know a time will come, usually led by stormy weather filled with wind squalls and lashing rain, when we will return to normal. For now, the smell of ash fills my nostrils and lungs, and I look out on a view dominated by a thin gray soup.
Short of intervening even more than it has, it seems that the Singapore government has done all that it can. Offers of fire fighting personnel, satellite imagery, and legal actions against the companies involved have been politely refused. While Singapore’s leadership in a regional pact on the subject was helpful, today’s index suggests that every person in Singapore will pay a price for the choice of a few that they cannot see or confront.
As I reflect on how bad it can get, I do recall when everyone was told to stay home. Do not leave unless it is absolutely necessary. People stayed home from work, abandoned the normal shopping routines, and most activities slowed to a stop. The extreme of that period was when a friend’s father gave voice to a prayer, “Come close, God; get me out of here. Rescue me from this deathtrap.” (Psalm 69.18) And the response was they boarded a plane that day and headed for cleaner air.
Today I am reminded of the advice shared then.
Stay away from the pollution as much as possible, preferably inside where you are relatively safe.
Minimize your time out in the soup. If you are weak then this needs to be one of your highest priorities. Even if you are strong, take care.
Stay alert, take care, and keep yourself healthy, it is the best protection you can have.
