Mask giveaway a misuse of funds

Re: Alberta moves up Stage 2 relaunch, June 10

The announcement by Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro that the government will be distributing masks to all Albertans “at no cost” and that it “will help Albertans get back to work and enjoy everyday activities” may be misleading and costly.

These single-use, non-medical-grade masks are generally not intended to be used for more than three hours, and then discarded. At a cost of approximately $20 million for the first distribution, $20 million for the second, as well as another $350,000 to get them to more remote areas, it doesn’t seem the best use of $40 million.

I do not understand picking fast food establishments to distribute the masks. What an incredible boon for them. Amusingly, Shandro said that these fast food companies are not charging the government for distributing them.

Marilyn Foxford, Canmore