Reader 1: Eh bro, today we’re all getting that $600, you know what that means?
Reader 2: Yes bro, poker party at my place! I’ll call the gang over.
Reader 1: Sounds goo-
I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Reader 1: What? Who said that? Is that you, God?
What? No, it’s me, Goody Feed.
Reader 2: The online media company with entertaining yet informative articles?
That’s the one.
Reader 1: Oh, well thanks for the advice, Goody Feed, but I think we’ll go ahead with the game because-
*slap*
Reader 1: What the- was I just slapped by an online media company?
Yes, and it’ll happen again if you’re not careful.
We’re all getting $600 richer today, but that’s no reason to forget all the rules in place during this circuit breaker.
Fortunately, our banks know we’ll all be rushing out to get that sweet new cash, and that’s why they’re taking several precautionary measures.
Most ATMs Also Coated With Self-Disinfecting Coating Coz We’re All $600 Richer Today
On Tuesday (14 April), many ATMs across Singapore will be covered with an anti-microbial coating to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
They will also be covered with slobbering Singaporeans waiting to get their hands on some cash.
As we previously reported, 9 out of 10 Singaporeans will be getting a one-off payment of $600 from the Solidarity Budget on Tuesday.
There will also be another payment in June.
That’s why these ATMs will be coated in a self-disinfecting solution, because many people will be touching it with hands that may not have been washed in years.
These solutions keep killing germs and bacteria and can be effective for as long as six months, according to The Straits Times.
The same coating has also been applied on the lift buttons in HDB blocks, mostly to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but also because some weirdos were spitting and stomping on them.
The self-disinfecting coating has also been used on various surfaces in Changi Airport.
How It Works
The coating, called sdst, remains in place even with repeated scrubbing and cleaning, and according to the Changi Airport Group, “it has a needle-like structure that ruptures the outer membrane of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, thereby reducing their ability to infect.”
Just picture microscopic assassins with microscopic needles working together to kill the evil coronavirus again and again.
So, there’s no reason to worry about using ATMs at this time, because the banks are taking their cleanliness seriously.
Banks Have Stepped Up Cleaning
According to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), DBS has been applying this coating on its machines since mid-March, while OCBC has been doing it since early April.
UOB will start coating its machines on 17 April.
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Better late than never, I guess?
But some of these banks have generally stepped up the cleaning of their ATMs.
DBS and OCBC disinfect their machines daily, so this anti-microbial coating is just another layer of protection.
OCBC customers can also withdraw cash without touching the PIN pad by scanning a QR code with their phones using the OCBC Pay Anyone app.
OCBC customers:
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Maintain Safe Distancing
This doesn’t mean that you can forget everything the authorities have been advising us to do during the circuit breaker, however.
You should continue to maintain a safe distance of at least a metre when you are out, especially when you’re queueing.
We’re all desperate to get that free $600, but make sure you don’t get the coronavirus in the process.
