Shortage of corona masks

Humanity and the whole wide world around needs to join hands in the fight against the deadly virus

There are reports that there is a shortage of protective masks used against the coronavirus and other related accessories in the country. The Federal Investigation Agency is to investigate the issue to establish whether the shortage has been caused due to the rising demand or some scum of the earth has created an artificial shortage to cash in on human suffering. The fact remains: there is a shortage of masks as they are not available even to medics and all those associated with the healthcare sector. People should not get carried away by speculations being made in a section of the media about the reasons for the shortage. We should wait for the FIA inquiry report. There are also reports that the demand for protective masks during the gas leak in Keamari, Karachi, is one of the causes leading to the shortage. All of this, however, are mere conjectures.

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan took notice of the reports of masks being sold in the black market. Actions yielded results and prices came down. According to press reports, the government had banned export of respiratory masks and of other related items on January 30. A spokesman for the relevant ministry claimed that the ban was relaxed and masks were allowed to be exported at the request of the Chinese embassy in Islamabad. The relaxation of the ban was reasonable in view of the Pakistan’s friendly relations with China, and considering the enormity of the epidemic in China till a fortnight ago.

There are, however, certain immoral elements who are trying to exploit a bad situation to their advantage both to make money and to defame responsible quarters. Such crooks are always present everywhere, and stupidity has a knack of getting its way. Crooks cannot be made straight but they can be compelled to mend their ways by the use of the state’s coercive machinery. An overwhelming reality of a global pandemic is with us and the situation calls for close international cooperation. A pestilence is upon us, and humanity the whole wide world around needs to join hands in the fight against the deadly virus. This is the moment.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2020.

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