Opinion | Face masks are scarce in coronavirus-hit Hong Kong. Let’s spare them for the people most in need

The government and private sector are doing their best to boost supply but there just aren't enough masks to go around

The advice for all to wear a mask when outside, based on the idea that it’s better to be safe than sorry, is not feasible when supplies are limited

Reading Time:3 minutes

People wear face masks in Mong Kok on February 25. It is simply not possible for all in Hong Kong to use masks without creating a severe shortage. If we all use them, we would need a minimum of 200 million a month. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:00am, 28 Feb 2020Updated: 6:10am, 28 Feb 2020

Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing became famous in Hong Kong last week for his leaked comments calling people here “idiots” for panic buying rice and toilet paper as fear of the coronavirus spread.

Hopefully, we can see the funny side of his remarks. He was talking to a Singaporean audience and was concerned that what happened in Hong Kong could happen there too. Indeed, Singapore did experience some panic buying.

After the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003, it is understandable that Hong Kong people are nervous about the new and little-known disease. It does not help that, after the unrest of last year, the government does not enjoy as much confidence as it should.

The good news is that toilet paper and rice now seem to be back on supermarket shelves. However, we continue to have a shortage of face masks.

Although people like to blame the government, the fact is that it is simply not possible for all of us to use surgical masks without creating a severe shortage. If we all use them, we would need a minimum of 200 million a month.

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