Singaporeans laughed heartily when they saw images of a woman in the airport in Vancouver wearing a plastic bottle over her head in a bid to ward off the novel coronavirus.

But it turns out, the phenomenon is more widespread and fashionable than people expect.

Apparently, in Hong Kong, the same thing was witnessed:

But why?

The basic idea is that such forms of full-face protection is to prevent exposure to other people's secretions, which can enter one's eyes, nose and mouth and cause the virus to spread from host to host.

In Singapore, people have also started to improvise.

While donning a face mask covers one's nose and mouth, it leaves one's eyes exposed.

So, to have peace of mind while seated on public transport and reduce the risk of being coughed or sneezed on, some have taken to donning full face and body protection.

Apparently, such a method of demarcating one's safe space is not new.

In Taiwan, the same thing was witnessed as well.

However, whether donning masks or full-body protection is sufficient or even necessary is still up for debate.

One Singaporean has argued that it is one's personal hygiene and the tendency to touch one's own face and orifices on one's body with unclean hands that is causing the spread of viruses.

Regardless, practise frequent handwashing these days for greater peace of mind.