Elite’s rush for masks has left less well-off vulnerable

MARKET Watch this week reported that there’s a mandatory push for Americans to wear masks.

In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo has ordered all New Yorkers to cover their faces in public when they can’t maintain proper physical distance. The Turkish government has a policy which states that every person in the country is eligible for five free masks every 10 days.

In South Africa, the Department of Health has recommended that everyone make use of a mask while in public spaces to curb the spread of the respiratory disease.

Over the past few months, it has become evident that face masks, in any form, have become a hot commodity during this season for Covid-19 but, unfortunately, not everyone will have access to them – particularly, appropriate masks such as surgical masks, which are reserved for health-care workers.

There is also, however, a distinctive trend that continues to go undebated, and it’s the fact that masks appear to be for the elite.

In some countries, when infections began increasing, those from wealthy communities flocked to the stores to stock up on masks, leaving the poor without the opportunity to purchase any.

Those who have had to use alternatives such as scarves or other pieces of cloth when shopping for essential items or heading to the pharmacy or clinic will tell you that scarves are not sustainable as they tend to fall from time to time.

And, as we fast approach the winter season, many people will be exposed to the occasional cold or will be forced to treat flu symptoms, which include coughing and sneezing – much like the coronavirus symptoms – and will need to wear masks.

It goes without saying that we all need masks.

Many influential public figures such as Jack Ma, founder of the Alibaba Group, have donated medical equipment, which includes protective gear such as masks, to AU countries.

A question that needs to be asked is, who will benefit from this equipment? It shouldn’t be the elite. This equipment should never land in the hands of those looking to make a quick profit.

There needs to be some level of transparency as to how this equipment will be distributed so that it reaches those who need it the most.