The government’s effort to distribute protective cloth masks in the nation’s coronavirus battle has been marred by complaints about mold, insects and stains, fueling further concern that the government has botched its handling of the pandemic.
Not long after it began supplying every household with two washable, reusable masks at a cost of ¥46.6 billion in the strategy to contain the virus, the government has been forced to replace some masks following reports of defects from recipients.
“I’m thankful to receive these masks, but is this a bug? Debris? Dirt?” asked Twitter user Aiai, posting a photo of two white masks in their original packaging, with what appeared to be a small insect trapped near the side seam of one.