Coronavirus: Jack Ma to donate 500,000 test kits and 1 million masks to US
- Ma’s businesses have already sourced and donated supplies to other countries being hit by the virus, including Japan, Korea, Italy, Iran and Spain
- The donation comes amid testing delays across the US as officials scramble amid a shortage of lab materials
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Myah Ward on politico.com on March 13, 2020.
Jack Ma’s charitable foundation and his China-based company’s foundation, the Alibaba Foundation, have also sourced and donated supplies to other countries being hit by the virus, including Japan, Korea, Italy, Iran and Spain. (Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.)
The donation comes amid testing delays across the US as state officials scramble amid a shortage of lab materials – sparking concerns that health officials are undercounting the number of Americans with the virus.
“Drawing from my own country’s experience, speedy and accurate testing and adequate personal protective equipment for medical professionals are most effective in preventing the spread of the virus,” the statement said. “We hope that our donation can help Americans fight against the pandemic!”
Ma’s announcement also comes as Trump aides and allies cast blame on China, with some officials calling it “the Wuhan virus” – a reference to the Chinese city that is the epicentre of the disease.