The haze exposes our lack of readiness

 I understand the need to look at the 24 hour data. That makes sense to avoid undue alarm. But alarm regardless, should a world class gov, in a time of crisis, be this slow and evasive? Do you think it is proper for the gov to prepare the population only after a crisis has hit? That's like putting on a kevlar vest after you've been shot!

Why is it that every time we get hit by a flood/disruption/outbreak/haze, our gov looks like a deer caught in the headlights for the first time? The haze is a 19 year problem. Where are our contingency plans? 

In a fire, we know exactly what to do. Call 995. Leave your belongings. Stay low. Breathe into a wet towel. Avoid the lift. Take fire exit. Do you see people lining up outside a hardware store for fire hoses in a fire? Of course not! We're prepared to deal with fire. Are we prepared to deal with haze?

The haze hit on Monday, and yet the elderly need to wait till Sunday to get their masks. Shouldn't the masks have been distributed prior to the haze? Shouldn't there have been health advisories saying this is haze season, get ready? Why is it so hard to find information on the risks of PM2.5 and the proper steps to take to protect yourself and loved ones? Why were the 9 million masks not readily available for purchase? Logistics? I shudder to think of what would happen in the event of a pathogen (e.g. avian flu).

There is a huge discussion about the PSI readings, but to me, it is a distraction, disguising how utterly unprepared we are. PSI readings are not very useful without the proper training and preparation of the population to act on them. It's like reading a thermometer while your house is burning down. 

There is an old saying: You don't wait until you need to take a dump before building a toilet. Why do we wait till the haze reaches hazardous levels to have these things ready? People would feel safer knowing they are prepared than scrambling about in mass hysteria. If you want to avoid undue alarm, prepare the population!