Waiting for Clean Air

If you've been reading Bill's blog, you know that we are almost a week into a 'hazardous' haze event here in Singapore due to forest burning in neighboring Sumatra. It's also been in the news -BBC, NPR,
SF Chronicle. Imagine, little Singapore in the US news, unheard of!

Bill sent me an email from work yesterday saying that: "There is suddenly a lot of excitement here about the research opportunity that this haze presents."

He also said he would be bringing home a couple of 'N95' masks, probably the only ones effective against the micron-size particles characterizing this event.

I had to laugh. Here I am this morning trying out my mask looking at the haze outside. In the foreground is a portable monitor Bill brought home that is measuring our indoor particles. No doubt we will be taking it for a walk to enjoy the 'fun' of having a real-time instrument with us as we sightsee.

Other than the fact that it is grey and depressing when you look around you and there is a tiny bit of smoky smell in the air, I don't feel anything in my eyes or throat, and hey, it is cooler because the sun is blocked out. They are advising the elderly, infants and persons of poor health to not do vigorous exercise. (Those chain-smoking seniors in their running shoes pushing jog strollers are out of luck!) 

On another note, there are numerous neighborhood services if you are feeling poorly. Maybe this Ear, Nose and Throat clinic will soon be adding some sort of remedy for the haze discomfort.