Despite Covid-19 and these uncertain times, we're still in operation to serve you.
​
WATEROAM
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Impact
    • Our Highlights
  • Products
    • ROAMfilter™ Plus
    • ROAMfilter™ Ultra
    • ROAMfilter™ Mini
    • Water Test Kits
    • Homefilter Faucet
  • Solutions
    • Disaster Relief
    • Rural Development
  • Resources
    • Product FAQs
    • Product Video Tutorials
  • Get Involved
    • Support Myanmar
    • Play a Part
    • Support Us
    • Corporate Giving
  • Blog
    • The Global Water Situation
    • Facts about Water
    • Info on our Products
    • Impact Stories
    • Upcoming & Past Events
  • Contact
    • Wateroam HQ
    • Distributors
  • Store
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Impact
    • Our Highlights
  • Products
    • ROAMfilter™ Plus
    • ROAMfilter™ Ultra
    • ROAMfilter™ Mini
    • Water Test Kits
    • Homefilter Faucet
  • Solutions
    • Disaster Relief
    • Rural Development
  • Resources
    • Product FAQs
    • Product Video Tutorials
  • Get Involved
    • Support Myanmar
    • Play a Part
    • Support Us
    • Corporate Giving
  • Blog
    • The Global Water Situation
    • Facts about Water
    • Info on our Products
    • Impact Stories
    • Upcoming & Past Events
  • Contact
    • Wateroam HQ
    • Distributors
  • Store

Social Awareness

The significance of Earth Day in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic - by Lim Chong Tee

23/4/2020

1 Comment

 
22nd of April is Earth day and today marks its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1970, the day was started as a movement for us to pay more attention to the well-being of our planet beyond anthropogenic development.

Half a century later, we find ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic with billions affected and governments across the world scrambling to contain the pestilence. Scientific evidence pointing to the transmission of zoonotic diseases from animal hosts to humans have also raised attention to the risks of wildlife trade as well as the dangers of ignoring human’s impact on the environment as we encroach more and more rapidly into natural habitats.

At a time when we are anxiously corralling the wrath of nature, it makes me wonder - when did people start getting concerned about the environment?

​If we trace back in time, it will take us to the publication of Rachel Carson’s the Silent Spring.
Silent Spring, written by Rachel Carson that warns about the use of DDT on agricultural crops and its effect on human health
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
​Published in 1962, the Silent Spring was a warning to us about the use of DDT on agricultural crops and its effect on our health. While the book went on to become the number one New York Times bestseller for months, calls for environmental change did not occupy mainstream attention immediately. ​​​However, it seeded an idea ahead of its time – that our very actions on the ecosphere can have a much more far-reaching effect on us. ​

​The 60s was a decade plagued by the ideological conflicts between the Allied and Soviet fronts. At that point, the cultural iconography of the hippie movement captured by the media during the Vietnam War was less about the environment but more about the societal ills of wars.


In December of 1968, Project Apollo by NASA kicked into high gear as the Apollo 8 was launched into lunar orbit. During its voyage, it took our very first selfie, captioned Earthrise. With half our face shrouded in shadows, it revealed an image of earth with its oceans, land and clouds, standing alone in the dark vacuum of space. 
Earthrise from space that was captured by NASA
Earthrise, our very first selfie from space | Source: NASA
​In the same month, it marked the peak of the Vietnam war with death tolls exceeding a hundred thousand. Coupled by the death of Martin Luther King during the civil rights movement, 1968 marked the bloodiest year of the decade.
​
Months later in 1969, Commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the Eagle and mankind took the first step onto the moon. Besides lunar samples of rock and regolith, they looked back and discovered earth for the first time.
Earth from space, captured by NASA
The Pale Blue Dot | Source: NASA
In a world where rivers of blood are spilled by warfare and conflicts, the space mission revealed a slightly different picture of our home. It is not one marked by flags or territorial lines but just a pale blue dot standing alone in the cosmic darkness. On this tiny little rock suspended in sunbeam, we drink the same water, breathe the same air and are all safely tugged behind a blanket of atmosphere that protects us from the deadly cosmic rays.
The New York Times newspaper published 1970 celebrating the first Earth day
Earth Day Number 1, 50 years ago | Source: NYT 
It was this moment that a perspective descended upon us – that we are part of the same earth and we are all in this together. With this realization, Earth Day was founded in 1970. Earth Day sparked our consciousness and with the same momentum, it led the passage to laws such as the Environmental Protection Act, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Clean water Act in the United States. Today, many countries adopted similar laws to conserve and manage their precious resources.

The fact that we all share one earth is made even more evident during the novel corona virus crisis. As Covid-19 sends waves throughout financial markets, disrupted food supply chains and drained out medical supplies, it is clear that no country is alone in tackling the public health crisis. What started as a health concern that alarmed a few doctors in Wuhan became a state issue, a national crisis and now as we know, a full-blown global pandemic.
A group of refugee children queuing up for clean drinking water
Lack of water spell COVID-19 nightmare for world’s 71 million refugees | Source: Israid
While some of us are struggling with the mundaneness of a lockdown, many others are faced with the existential threat of contracting Covid-19 in densely packed quarters where mitigation measures such as social distancing are made difficult (or impossible).

​As the crisis drags on, populations in poorer parts of Africa, South America and the Pacific Islands are on the brink of a hunger pandemic of biblical proportions. Communities with poor utilities and crippled infrastructure also struggle to obtain clean water for hand washing purposes, making the curb of the contagious disease even harder.
Migrant worker dormitories in Singapore is the biggest infection cluster for COVID-19 in the country
Inside Singapore's biggest infection cluster | Source: Reuters
​From the comfort of our homes, these problems may seem very distant to us. However, if you observe how the cases of Covid-19 have exploded in poorly managed migrant dormitories in developed nations like Singapore, you can see how the systemic issues we have grown accustomed to could come back to haunt us later.

​This is not to say that Singapore has ineffective governance. Rather, this goes to show that even with a first-class ministerial task force and a world class healthcare system, overcoming the pandemic requires the involvement of all players; from the contractors managing the inhabitants, agencies regulating the dormitories and all of us paying attention to society’s lowest common denominator.

If you look at Singapore as a microcosm of the world, this would mean that to nip the problem in the bud, no country can act in isolation and surviving this pandemic would require a global cooperative effort. This would mean looking out for the populations that are struggling with basic necessities such as water infrastructure and making sure that less privileged populations get the medical resources they need. 
ASEAN leaders having a virtual discussion on ASEAN's response against COVID-19
Leaders across the world gather to coordinate regional response against COVID-19| Source: ASEAN
We have to face this crisis not as Asians, Europeans or Americans but as an entire civilization because to solve the problem, outlasting the virus at home is just part of the equation. Until we are able quell the disease in its entirety, a cyclical rebound of the disease from hidden viral reservoirs isn’t out of the picture.

​Afterall, the virus is indifferent to the moral standards of humans, but the folly of human conceit can be profoundly counterproductive. Instead of searching for deceptively easy answers and asserting moral dominance, this period calls for greater international action and cooperation.
Coronavirus
A corona virus does not see race, gender or wealth
As inhabitants sustaining from the same ecosphere, our actions during and after this crisis will determine whether we could look back in time and see ourselves as better shepherds of our future or an embarrassment that left a tainted mark in humanity’s history.

The history of life on earth suggests that even as we reform ourselves, we will not be completely immune to the emergence of another plague. However, time has shown that nature, while not morally virtuous; cause lesser, or limited disruption to our lives when we respect its boundary and take prophylactic measures in the way we deal with the environment.
The stillness around the Eiffel Tower during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020
In the stillness, you hear nothing but the whispers of the wind
With the streets of famous land marks emptied, the viral outbreak is strangely reminiscent to opening pages of the Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. In this case, it is not the scores of the birds or the chirping of the crickets that is missing, but the familiar sights of people and the buzz of the crowds. In an era dominated by growth and industry, the stillness gives us an opportunity to stop, think and contemplate on our moral responsibility to the world.

This Earth Day, let us take care of our neighbours, look beyond ourselves and cherish the only home we have ever known.

Give clean water to a child in need!
Your contribution will support our efforts to provide a clean, safe and stable supply of drinking water for those who need it most in the world.
​
​Will you join us on our journey to end prolonged thirst?
Please select the drop-down for other quantities
I want to make a one-off contribution to support
I want to make a monthly contribution to support
​*Please refer below for terms and conditions
Blog Author: Lim Chong Tee
1 Comment

Why handwashing matters

6/4/2020

4 Comments

 
​As the world moves forward through unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have started to do our part by social distancing and improving our personal hygiene. One significant measure that governments and health officials have strongly advised is handwashing, but did you know that previous studies show only 5% of people wash their hands correctly? It may have taken a pandemic for many to realise its importance, but now is the time to make correct handwashing a frequent daily behaviour.
So, how does handwashing help? Handwashing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself and loved ones during this critical time. Regular hygiene keeps the community safe and free from germs that we may unknowingly spread. If we do not regularly wash our hands, germs from the surfaces of our hands can be transmitted into our bodies, making us sick. Additionally, we may transmit our own germs onto other objects, potentially spreading bacteria and viruses to others. We all have the capability to transmit diseases without even knowing it, and in today’s context, we can spread COVID-19 without having any symptoms. 
​​​Approximately 39% of people don’t wash their hands after sneezing, coughing or after blowing their nose
This is absolutely avoidable as long as we practice personal hygiene diligently.
About 7% of women and 15% of men don't wash their hands after using the bathroom.
Why soap? When we wash our hands, soap kills viruses and germs that may be on the surface of our skin. Viruses have a membrane called lipids, and soap makes the virus inactive by dissolving that layer. On a molecular level, soap helps breakdown and trap germs so they can be washed away with water. Therefore washing with soap is a must, not just rinsing with water. In cases where soap is unavailable, using hand sanitiser that has a minimum alcohol concentration of 60% is a way to ensure cleanliness. However, it is important to note that it will not be 100% effective and may only serve as a short-term barrier of defence.  
​Handwashing with soap and water is ultimately the best choice. ​​
How handwashing with soap effectively destroys coronavirus and prevents the spread of infectious diseases
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/health/soap-coronavirus-handwashing-germs.html
How should I wash my hands?
Follow the steps below for proper technique, taking at least 30 seconds for steps 2-7:
When should I wash my hands?
This list is not exhaustive, but always wash hands:
  • Before, during, and after preparing food
  • Before and after eating
  • Before and after caring for someone who is sick, or coming into contact with a sick individual
  • Before and after treating a cut or wound
  • After using the washroom
  • After changing diapers or cleaning a child who has used the toilet
  • After blowing your nose, sneezing, and coughing
  • After handling animals, feed, or animal waste
  • After touching a dirty surface or trash

Most people only wash their hands for 6 seconds 

A woman washing her hands thoroughly with clean water and soap to maintain good personal hygiene
So far, we've emphasized the importance of soap, ​but clean water is important too!
A glass of clean water that is retrieved from a tap and can be used for handwashing
​​Amidst this, we cannot forget about the communities that do not have access to clean water. ​We’ve been told repeatedly to wash our hands regularly with soap and clean water, but this is not possible for communities who do not have the privilege of free flowing clean water. Filtered water is not only needed for drinking, but also for sanitation, hygiene, and medical purposes. With multiple demands for the use of clean water, practicing this simple act may not be the highest priority for family deciding between dehydration or dirty hands.

​Today, a Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19 has been launched by the United Nations, pledging a total of US$2 billion to help vulnerable communities around the world. Handled mainly by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), UN-Habitat, and UNICEF, these agencies will be focusing on the provision of WASH facilities and services, as well as the continued sustainability of them. In a time where sanitation is highly stressed, it is vital for such responses to be carried out for those living in fragile settings.

​This Plan is vital to ensure communities are educated on the importance of such a simple measure in disease prevention, but also so communities are provided with physical access to basic necessities so they do not have to decide between two important priorities.  ​
The implementation of WASH measures  means vulnerable communities will be less susceptible to outbreaks; this is extremely important where healthcare facilities and medical treatment are not easily accessible. During this time, we are offering a discount for our ROAMfilter™ Plus to help provide clean water access to an entire community for two years. ​
Two happy young boys who are enjoying clean drinking water from Wateroam's ROAMfilter Plus
​If you know of a community or anyone in need of clean water during this difficult and trying period, please fill out the contact form below or visit the page here.

During this trying time, we hope that everyone can be socially responsible, work with one another and get through this together! Practice social distancing and always remember to wash your hands for at least 30 seconds, following the 7 steps as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Bury the germ, fight the virus. Stay home, stay safe!
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html
https://www.wateraid.org/us/
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/12/science-soap-kills-coronavirus-alcohol-based-disinfectants
https://globalhandwashing.org/about-handwashing/faqs/#do
https://www.ri.org/why-is-water-vital-for-containing-the-coronavirus-pandemic/
https://allportablesinks.com/blogs/news/17-handwashing-facts-and-statistics
Blog Author: Joey Lim
Chief Editor: Michelle Falcone 

4 Comments

    Want more?

    ​Click below to see what other blog topics might peak your interest
    View all blogs
      Thank you for Signing Up
    Please correct the marked field(s) below.
    Join our newsletter!
    1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2

    Social Awareness Blog Archives

    August 2022
    July 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020

Add Impact to Your Inbox

Please correct the marked field(s) below.
  Thank you for Signing Up
By providing your information, you agree to receive newsletter emails from Wateroam
1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2

Explore

Site Map
Distributorship
Rewards Program

About Us

​​Press
​Awards
​Events

​Resources

All Products
Disclaimer 
Privacy Policy

​

Contact

Wateroam HQ
Find a Distributor






​

Copyright © 2023 Wateroam Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved   
*Wateroam is a social enterprise that works with both international and local partners to provide better access to safe drinking water around the world. Givers’ contributions directly support Wateroam in growing our efforts in providing rural and disaster-afflicted communities with clean drinking water. Please do note that Wateroam is not a Singapore registered Institute of Public Character and your support of Wateroam’s relief efforts does not constitute as a charitable donation and does not qualify for tax-deduction in Singapore or elsewhere. If you have any questions about contributing to Wateroam, please contact us here.