Govt slammed as private firms supply free masks

Govt slammed as private firms supply free masks

As more private firms step in with free face mask distributions in Hong Kong, some residents vented their anger at the government, with one woman questioning why the Carrie Lam administration needs to seek Beijing's help even for basic issues like this.



As the city witnessed hour-long queues for face masks over the last few days, Lam had said that her government had sought help from the central government for more supplies.



On Saturday, the top official urged people sourcing masks from outside to give the government details of the supplier as there is a global shortage.



As the officials scrambled for face masks as the official stock fell to a month's supply, two private firms gave away 10,000 masks each to people who needed them.



Galaxy Engineering Group distributed masks in Tai Kok Tsui and each person was given five pieces each. Some people turned up for the masks before 9am, even though the distribution wasn't to kick off until 1:30pm.



In Mong Kok, a company called HGC Global Communications also gave out 10,000 masks.



Some people in the queue there said they are angry at the government's inability to make masks available.



One elderly woman surnamed Chan said she was a supporter of Lam and had even taken a picture with her in the past.



"[Now] I am very disappointed with her," said Chan. "Like how others throw away Alan Tam’s CDs, I will delete the photo we took together," she said referring to a singer who was targeted by protesters over his support for police and many people posting videos of them smashing his albums.



"This government is really ridiculous. Police have enough masks, but not the nurse or civilians," said a visibly angry Chan.



Liu, an elderly man who was also in the queue in Tai Kok Tsui, also said he thinks the government has done a poor job.



He said had been waiting for more than three hours for the masks, being as pharmacies are charging HK$200 to HK$300 per box.



"We can't afford it. There are not many masks left in the house. I usually use a mask for two to three days," he said.



It wasn't just face masks that were being given out free by some businesses in the city.



A restaurant in Tsuen Wan gave out bleach, and dozens turned up to get the cleansing item that has vanished from city shops. One staff member was overheard saying “even if we can’t hand out gold or silver, we can help by giving out bronze".



In a city known for its love of money making, a new joke that is circulating says wealth in Hong Kong is now measured by the number of face masks and toilet rolls a person has.