Singaporeans are urged to stay at home since the start of the circuit breaker period on April 7.
During this period, some Good Samaritans among us are keeping a lookout for those in need.
Video showing man in need sitting by the roadside
On the first day of the circuit breaker, a volunteer was distributing food, drinks, and masks to the needy.
He then chanced upon an elderly man who was sitting by the roadside near Beach Road.
The volunteer then asked the man, named Luke, about his plight and put up a video of their conversation on Facebook, hoping to raise public awareness on Luke's situation as he's also "a fellow Singaporean".
The volunteer was worried that Luke, who had apparently lost his identity card, would not be able to receive the financial assistance.
While Luke mentioned "Sister MP Denise Phua" a few times who offered help and gave him face masks, he described social workers as "alibaba" and were not helpful.
The conversation also revealed many of Luke's personal details such as his full name, IC number, date of birth and his family situation.
At the end of the video, the volunteer warned Luke that it is dangerous to stay out during this period and reminded Luke to put on his face mask.
The video has since garnered over 1,000 shares since last Tuesday (April 7).
Social workers attend to man's latest needs
In response to the video on Apr. 8, Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC, Denise Phua, thanked the public for showing concern towards Luke.
According to Phua, Luke is a resident in Jalan Besar GRC.
Phua added that several community organisations and social welfare groups are aware of Luke and said that he is usually not at home, which makes it difficult for the social workers to find him.
However, it is not convenient to elaborate on Luke's personal issues, Phua added.
Phua said that Luke did not collect his daily meals that day, but the social workers found him eventually, and have attended to his latest needs.
Phua also urged members of the public to contact the social workers or personally message her if they see Luke again.
Man has been receiving help since 2012 when contactable
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) also shared a Facebook post to clarify Luke's situation last Friday (April 10).
MSF said that the volunteer could have referred Luke to social service agencies and charities instead of revealing his personal information online.
The ministry added that Luke has been receiving help since November 2012 "over the periods when 'Uncle Luke' remained contactable by social services" at Jalan Besar.
The social service office has been working with a few community organisations to assist Luke with his financial and daily living needs such as grocery and food vouchers.
The social workers lost contact with Luke since December 2019, but managed to reconnect with him on April 9, 2020.
The social service office has provided Luke with interim cash assistance and food vouchers while they are in the midst of processing his ComCare long term assistance application and the replacement of his identity card.
They have also gained permission from Luke to help him clean his house once the circuit breaker period is over, and will be delivering meals to him subsequently.
You can read the full post here:
Top photo via 招積's Facebook video and Ng Eric/Google Maps