Singaporean braces for the end of the world
Even though many Singaporeans may not think the world will end on Friday, some are already preparing themselves just in case.
47-year-old public policy researcher Andrew Teo is one person who thinks it is better to be safe than sorry. The family man has already gathered enough supplies and tools to last him and his family a good six months.
“I have oil, water, canned food, milk powder, rice… my things are shoved everywhere around the house," Teo said in an interview with Yahoo! Singapore on Tuesday.
The goods are stored in his Pasir Panjang condominium, where he lives with his wife and three children.
Stockpiling essentials are crucial because if a disaster strikes, be it man-made or natural, there will be no stores or law and order to get necessities from, he adds.
And if he ever needs to leave the house, he has a pick-up truck that he plans to convert to be electricity independent.
Teo is what some people refer to as a disaster or doomsday “prepper”. He readies extensive emergency supplies and procedures in anticipation of a catastrophe. The end of the Mayan calendar and possible doomsday on earth has brought renewed interest in this trend.
He became a prepper when he started researching about disasters and their likelihood about three years ago, and he has gotten the support of his family. A Christian Methodist, he tells his kids about how the world will end soon and that they should prepare themselves physically, mentally and spiritually.
Doomsday or not, Teo believes that it is important to be prepared for disasters, especially those that give no warning. Natural disasters like tsunamis and solar flares well as made-made wars have happened before and are likely to happen again.
The disastrous effects of global warming have already been seen throughout the world. There are increasingly more floods, forest fires, landslides and droughts all attributed to the persistent impact of global warming.
Taking advantage of social media, Teo also is trying to spread the word. He recently launched a Facebook page, ‘Disaster and Emergency Preparedness for Singaporeans’, to educate people on what they would need to do. It has garnered 77 likes since October 29, 2012. Knowing how to distill sea water, start your own fire and do first aid is crucial for survival, he explains.
While there may or may not be a disaster on Friday, the world’s end is imminent and soon, Teo believes, stressing that he is prepared for that eventuality.
Most Singaporeans though are not convinced it’s necessary. According to a survey by National Geographic, 79 per cent of Singaporeans are not prepared for a major catastrophe. 23 per cent don’t think any such disaster would really happen.
In that light Josie Khng, a 24-year-old social media marketer, is throwing a party to celebrate the “world’s end”. “If the world really were to end, you would want to be with people close to you”, she says.
However she admits that she and her friends actually do meet up to discuss strategies in case apocalypse comes and with it zombies. She says they are influenced by popular culture, but argues that it doesn’t hurt to plan. “Paranoia is unhealthy, planning is key.”
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The Mayan calendar
Dec 21: End of Mayan calendar, or end of the world?
Maya demand an end to doomsday myth Doomsday Preppers 2 currently airs on National Geographic Channel (StarHub TV Ch. 411 and mio TV Ch. 201)
