Factories ramp up mask production

[snoop1130]

Factories ramp up mask production

 

 

BANGKOK(NNT) - A representative of mask factories has insisted they are ramping up their production, with all masks produced being sent to the authorities for distribution. The Government Pharmaceutical Organization has confirmed that surgical mask shortages at hospitals will be resolved in coming days. The Ministry of Labour has also introduced a measure allowing employers to submit reduced social security payments for their employees.

 

The government’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information Center today made its daily announcement regarding current government actions to overcome the impact of the epidemic.

 

At today’s press conference, a manager from Thai Hospital Products Paisarn Charuraksa, said the company has been increasing its production capacity of surgical masks, with the current maximum capacity now at 400,000 items per day. The company is delivering 350,000 pieces daily to the Department of Internal Trade and the Government Pharmaceutical Organization for distribution.

 

He said the company is trying to increase the production output to meet the rise in demand, insisting that the company doesn’t send surgical masks to any persons or companies, as the production line is now being monitored by officials from the Department of Internal Trade to prevent illegal exportation.

 

The company has ensured the current production is compliant with quality control measures and strict inventory control, with all information continuously shared with relevant organizations.

 

The Government Pharmaceutical Organization’s Managing Director Withoon Danwiboon, said today the GPO is now mainly occupied distributing the 410,700 surgical masks it receives from factories daily, to government agencies in need. The organization has successfully maintained distribution to 99 percent of hospitals in major provinces.

 

The Ministry of Public Health now distributes 400,000 surgical masks to public hospitals under its supervision, 30,000 masks to hospitals beyond its supervision, and 140,000 items to private hospitals and clinics, 70,000 items to hospitals under the supervision of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and 60,000 of the masks to teaching hospitals belonging to universities, as well as dental schools.

 

Additionally, the Ministry of Commerce now handles 500,000 surgical masks each day. 200,000 of which are allocated to those at low-risk of infection. The ministry is selling 150,000 surgical masks each day to the general public through Blue Flag stores across the country, plus 25,000 items through pharmacies, and 125,000 masks through convenience stores and government offices. The ministry has distributed some one million surgical masks over the past three days, expecting the earlier shortage to be resolved soon.

 

Meanwhile, an advisor to the Minister of Labour Jak Panchupetch said today the Ministry of Labour has prepared aid measures to prevent affected businesses from closing, including a measure allowing employees to take leave while receiving 75 percent of their normal wage. In addition, the Social Security Office has approved a measure allowing employers to pay a reduced contribution to their employees’ social security fund, lowered from 5 percent to 4 percent. This measure is starting this month, and will continue for six months.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2020-03-11

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[TaoNow]

As far as the mask depicted in the photo, I believe that the WHO and US CDC have said that these masks are not likely to be effective to prevent transmission of COVID-19. 

 

That is because the virus can penetrate and get around these masks.

 

Further, the use of these masks may increase transmission by encouraging people to touch their face, their nose, their ears, etc. 

 

Finally, panic buying and hording of surgical masks causes stock-outs for those who really need them to control spread of many other infectious diseases in the clinical setting.

 

In sum, re-think your need to wear a mask to prevent COVID-19.  You may be harming yourself and others.

[ben2talk]

Yup, useless masks just for show.

Why can't they make N95 masks? too technical?

 

The last set we bought were returned - made in thailand, cloth with valves - but two layers of cloth covering the valves to hold the filters so they just wouldn't work anyway.

 

If China can't make our masks, we're screwed.

[Susco]

[monkfish]

27 minutes ago, ben2talk said:

Yup, useless masks just for show.

Why can't they make N95 masks? too technical?

 

The last set we bought were returned - made in thailand, cloth with valves - but two layers of cloth covering the valves to hold the filters so they just wouldn't work anyway.

 

If China can't make our masks, we're screwed.

Not as good as N95 masks but still offer some protection the COVID19 is transmitted within water droplets i.e. saliva, mucus which can be absorbed by the mask.
Also if you have the VIRUS it can help protect others from being infected.
For sure it's better not to touch the mask and there's always a chance it could infect you through your eyes so best is a full face respirator.

[Estrada]

10 hours ago, ben2talk said:

Yup, useless masks just for show.

Why can't they make N95 masks? too technical?

 

The last set we bought were returned - made in thailand, cloth with valves - but two layers of cloth covering the valves to hold the filters so they just wouldn't work anyway.

 

If China can't make our masks, we're screwed.

N95 masks are useless against Corona Virus, because the particle cut off for N95 masks is 0.3micron and the Corona Visus has a width of only 0.14micron. Good for PM2.5 air pollution though.

[Tayaout]

16 minutes ago, Estrada said:

N95 masks are useless against Corona Virus, because the particle cut off for N95 masks is 0.3micron and the Corona Visus has a width of only 0.14micron. Good for PM2.5 air pollution though.

 

multimedia.pdf

[Yinn]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

with all masks produced being sent to the authorities for distribution

All masks “sent” to the authorities to 

1) Boy’s wherehouse

2) before sell/distribution to China again? 

 

Why not sent to the hospitals?

 

This story start on the Facebook page 5-6 days ago. Show the mask for sale, but no mask for doctors, hospitals, nurse, the sick people.

 

Yesterday Prayut team go to the Facebook page and tell them to remove because “over information”. 

Everyone know now. 

 

Boy’s new red plate Benz.....

 

[PatOngo]

Whether the masks are any good or not, just keep that filthy, lowlife, heroin smuggling grub away from them!

[ChrisY1]

"with all masks produced being sent to the authorities for distribution".......in China?

[colinneil]

2 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

"with all masks produced being sent to the authorities for distribution".......in China?

Yes a pathetic situation, control, control, thats what it is all about.

Control so they can sell them and make money themselves.... Sod the public/ hospitals... Disgusting.

[mtls2005]

Masks: Pablum for the Thai masses.

 

 

[gamb00ler]

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

Masks: Pablum for the Thai masses.

Did you mean pacifier?  It would seem to be a more valid comparison.  Soothing but otherwise ineffective.