Cheaper face masks needed for B40 group

THE government has been urged to subsidise reusable cloth face masks to ease the financial burden on those in the lower income group.

Charles Santiago (DAP - Klang) said having to buy face masks daily would be a financial strain on the B40 group.

He said having to buy disposable face masks could prove to be too expensive for those in the B40 and M40 groups, adding that the price of cloth face masks could be made more affordable if production could meet local demand.

Santiago said another concern is that migrant workers and refugees might re-use disposable face masks to cut costs, thereby putting themselves and others at risk.

He said if a family uses six face masks a day, it would cost them RM216 a month.

“That is more than 20% of the minimum wage of RM1,200,” he pointed out.

“We could develop a cottage industry, which could spur entrepreneurship and employment for people who have lost their jobs,” he said at a press conference in Parliament.

He urged the government to invest in research and development to ensure the masks pass tests for bacterial filtration, particle filtration, fluid resistance and flammability.

He cited the example of Vietnam, which is working on reusable face masks made from coffee grounds.

He said by adding a biodegradable filter developed by nanotechnology, the coffee face mask only needs to be replaced every 30 days.

Santiago said reusable cloth face masks were more environmentally friendly and would help mitigate climate change.

He added it could also help reduce the number of masks disposed daily.

“The government should channel funds to a small business entrepreneurship programme, which can be expanded to include nongovernmental organisations and communitybased organisations that are already producing cloth masks,” he said.