In Hong Kong 100% of people are wearing masks; There is no shortage, so the prisoners in the jail are also making 25 lakh masks every month.

Allen U. The best option to avoid corona in the World Health Organization guidelines is social distancing, frequent hand washing and wearing masks. By the time these three options were fully implemented in the world, it was too late. In the midst of all this, Hong Kong, a small country adjoining China, showed activism for the safety of the people. Close schools overnight, put up posters in the city to wash hands every two hours. On getting out of the house, do apply a face mask. People also did not lag behind. The figure of wearing masks was recorded at 100%. The result is in front of everyone. In this country with a population of 7.5 million, only 4 died from Corona. 830 people out of 1038 infected have also recovered. In order to ensure that the countrymen do not fall short of surgical masks, the inmates of the jail here are making 2.5 million masks every month. During this period, the need and capacity of masks was debated in the West and many weeks passed.

Lessons learned by Hong Kong people from SARS epidemic 17 years ago

The people of Hong Kong expressed confidence in the masks because they were wreaked havoc by the SARS epidemic 17 years ago. Taking a lesson from this, the administration started making masks on a large scale here. The story behind the omnipresent mask of Hong Kong is also quite unique. In fact, in Hong Kong, millions of surgical masks are making prisoners here, many of whom are working till late night for extra money. Mask-making is underway 24 hours from February in the low-level prison at the border with China. Inmates as well as retired employees and exempted officers are also contributing in making masks. Every month 11 lakh masks were produced before the epidemic reached Hong Kong.

In 2018, the value of goods made by prisoners was Rs 432 crore.

Inmates of Hong Kong spend their time working in prison, which not only reduces their laziness and stress, but the work money helps them in their rehabilitation. Every year, more than 4000 prisoners prepare traffic signs, police uniforms, hospital clothes and items given in government offices.

In 2018, the value of goods manufactured by prisoners was estimated at Rs 432 crore. Inmates do this work voluntarily all night or in extra shifts. For this they are paid more wages. However, Yannis, who came out of jail last month after completing a two-year sentence, says he had a daily wage of $ 4.30, an eighth of the minimum wage set in Hong Kong.

Law Yuk-kai, director of the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor, says that reliance on such cheap labor to meet the urgent needs of society is not good. If the prisoners are working so hard to fulfill our needs, then they should not be given the nominal wages of their work.