Use of disposable masks unsustainable: Myanmar’s state counsellor

NAY PYI TAW, May 12, 2020, Myanmar Times. Myanmar’s de facto leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, said the use of disposable face masks is unsustainable and could become a heavy financial burden on ordinary people who struggle just to feed their families. But she underscored the importance of wearing face masks when out in public as part of preventive measures against COVID-19, Myanmar Times reported.

The State Counsellor, who is leading the fight against the dreaded disease with a lack of resources, called on all government officials to encourage people to wear re-usable homemade masks rather than the expensive disposable masks.

She said surgical masks cost K400 (US$0.29) each, and everyone uses two or three of them a day.

“For the long term, it will become a burden on the people. We should change our masks two or three times a day, so it is impossible for people to use surgical masks,” she said during an online meeting on May 12 with the vice mayor of Nay Pyi Taw, the administrator of Myaing township in Magwe Region, and the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) MP for Kalaw township in Shan State.

“No one wants to pay too much for face masks, so please encourage people to use masks they make themselves,” she said.

Just three homemade masks are enough for one person, they are easy to make and cost little, she said. However, she said, people must follow the Health Ministry guidelines for sewing the masks.

“I want people to get used to wearing masks like we wearing shoes whenever we go out,” she said.

Yangon and Mandalay have ordered that people who do not wear masks in public will face being fined.

Myanmar has 180 COVID-19 cases, six deaths and 74 recoveries, according to the ministry.