Prison Inmates Manufacture Face Masks To Meet Rising Demand In Kerala

Italy and Spain are in coronavirus lockdowns and the US has declared a state of emergency to tackle COVID-19. The situation in India is no different with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issuing guidelines on when and how to home quarantine ourselves.

Amidst all the panic-inducing news updates, Kerala has been a glimmer of hope. From successful recovery cases to Anganwadi centers hand-delivering mid-day meals to kids at home, even virologists are lauding the state’s efforts to contain the pandemic.

According to The Indian Express, on March 14, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the tailoring units of prisons in Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur and Viyyur are manufacturing face masks to meet the increased demand in the state.

In addition, Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd is manufacturing hand sanitizers to deal with its shortage, reports Deccan Chronicle. Their goal is to boost supply by producing 10 lakh bottles within 10 days.

Desi Twitter welcomed the initiative but also called for awareness programs to educate people on the proper use of masks, their disposal, and effectiveness.

https://twitter.com/ThaliaCrafts/status/1238887086452867072

With the total number of confirmed cases in the country rising to 110, it is imperative that we avoid mass gatherings and crowded public places to keep ourselves from getting infected #CautionYesPanicNo.

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