Fresh from getting knocked down on the footprint last week. Just walking along - and every second place seems to be out burning the hell money on the footpaths this noon - to the soundtrack of fire engine sirens - in Xindian. I wouldn’t mind but I’m literally taking my kids to the respiratory physicians. I can feel it in my lungs too, it’s really obnoxious black smoke and ash. And some of these people have their face masks on. Presumably the behaviour is self reenforcing from the brain damage caused by inhaling the lead in the paper.
It’s probably illegal already: it might be possible to test that by setting a bonfire in the middle of the street and see what happens. However enforcement seems to be lacking if you pretend that your bonfire is a traditional ceremony. I think its a conspiracy backed by a cabal of respiratory physicians, leaded paint companies, and bushibans. Politicians probably can’t risk tackling it as that could alienate the vote of the hell money zombies. No voting in China so they were able to just ban this ridiculous - and seriously harmful - behaviour.
I’m thinking WW1 gas masks for all the family as the life hack. But that would make us seem weird for not wanting to inhale the thick clouds of obnoxious toxic fumes. When in Rome eh
My theory is that since the ghost money burning seem to happen more often when it’s cooler, it might be to accelerate climate change and make it warmer.
I pay 台灣大哥大(employer pays) 1,3999 ntd 5G chidaobao per month and barely get a good phone out of it every two years. Top models still require 20k+ from my pocket to purchase.
If I paid myself I would probably go back to packages above.
At the moment the rain has made it worse where I’m at as people are still going through boxes of joss paper (just 1 small family) while it’s sprinkling out making more smoke for the entire street to enjoy.
I don’t think there’s been much effort put in to reduce this kind of burning, at least for Ghost month, if I’m remembering correctly.
My hack/tip…remember the big burning days and close your windows.
I bet any type of electronic replacement won’t take off because “our elders/ancestors don’t know how to use the phone/app”
Strange: was just in Taipei and didn’t see a single place doing it. I’m pretty sure every single business on my street in New Taipei had the hell fires today. Maybe its banned in Taipei, or just the business people there are more able to exercise common sense.
Thanks for the tip, I guess I better stay home tomorrow so. I am in and out of the hospital with my kids’ breathing issues and this idiocy really pushes me over the edge.
If so, they’re doing a terrible job of enforcing it. Today was a nice day until everyone decided it was a great day to create massive pollution for literally no fucking reason.
I shamelessly wear an N95 mask intended for construction work that has a giant plastic exhaust valve in the front. I used to put a surgical mask over it to make it less scary looking but now I proudly wear it with the plastic exhaust valve making a point.
Or make the smoke so much worse.
You open your windows? Between unnecessary noise and assholes who smoke a pack an hour, my windows are always closed with my air purifier running.
I’m so sorry to hear about this. I would legitimately love to join a lawsuit against this burning practice, if you want to. Creating unnecessary pollution is a net negative for all members of society and should be banned with serious fines in place.
Regarding a possible ban. Taiwan does like to appear progressive on the world stage, and cherry picks causes that won’t aggravate the electorate too much. Then they pimp their progressive credentials on social media. But for some issues like this they are gutless whimps. The press here are lazy and don’t hold the government to account. Just get riled up about something, seriously anything, fucking challenge things. You might sell some more papers/advertising clicks too.
