Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s low-income families struggling to afford masks and disinfectant, new study claims
- Society for Community Organisation says results show nearly 70 per cent of families struggling
Nearly 70 per cent of low-income families in Hong Kong cannot afford to buy masks or disinfectant, and are experiencing increased levels of stress over the coronavirus epidemic, a human rights advocacy group has claimed.
A HK$990 million special allowance package for low-income working families and children was set aside by the government in its HK$30 billion relief package last week, but the NGO said that was not enough for most families.
The survey, conducted between February 11 and 18, found more than 60 per cent of the 397 low-income families polled – with a median household income of about HK$13,000 – had fewer than 10 masks in stock at home.
More than 66 per cent said household income had been impacted by the outbreak, with some families seeing a drop of up to HK$10,000 over the past month. Some 24 per cent said family members were out of a job during the epidemic.