📡Guardians of Hong Kong
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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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Government Issues No Masks to Cleaners, Many Forced to Wash and Reuse Old Masks

The ongoing epidemic has caused a continuous shortage of mask supplies, and outsourced cleaners are among the first to be affected. A survey conducted in February showed that 30% of cleaning companies have not provided their employees with masks. Among those who were provided masks, around 40% of them received less than one mask a day.

A cleaner mentioned that “we were given one during Chinese New Year, then (the company) asked us to wash it and re-use”. Many cleaners were forced to wash and re-use them, causing the masks to wear out and some were even damaged. Unions urges government to increase masks supply.

Source: Hong Kong In-Media

#Feb18 #Masks #ChinesePneumonia
#Masks #ChinesePneumonia
Public Hospital cuts down N95 mask supply, causing fear among medical staff for higher risk of Coronavirus infection

There are "invisible patients of Wuhan Pneumonia" in Hong Kong, yet the provision of protective gears in public hospitals has been shrinking.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is suspected of banning frontline staff from wearing N95 masks for colonoscopy and gastroscopy examination, causing deep concerns on the growing risks of infection.

Medics pointed out that the faeces of Wuhan pneumonia patients may carry coronavirus, coupled with the fact that in public hospitals, gastroscopy examination is conducted without anaesthetic. In any case, if an invisible patient coughs during the examination, conducting gastroscopy and colonoscopy without proper protective gear pose a high risk of infection.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital did not respond directly to the matter, only saying that public hospitals had developed guidelines for using masks.

Source: Apple Daily #Feb20
Sharing Full-Face Masks and Washing Wounds Without Gloves: Insufficient Protective Gear Remains a Severe Issue in Hospitals

Insufficient protective equipment in hospitals continued to be a predicament for many frontline medical staff. Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) sent a formal letter to Hospital Authority and the Labour Department to report complaints such as sharing a full-face mask among 10 staff at Princess Margaret Hospital, and using bare hands to wash wounds due to the lack of disposable gloves at Shatin Hospital.

HAEA stated that they have been receiving complaints from members reporting cases of senior officials suspending the use and supply of protective equipment, which is seriously endangering the safety of medical staff.

In the medical ward of Princess Margaret Hospital, staff complained that full-face masks have to be shared among 8-10 of them for 2 weeks, and they can only sanitize it with alcohol wipes between uses. A medical staff reported that they had to wear a plastic bag over their head as protection since they are not allowed to wear a full-face mask even when the patient is coughing at them.

Medical staffs at Shatin hospital medical ward also reported the serious problem of having an insufficient supply of disposable gloves, so that staff will need to wash wounds, test blood sugar and change patient’s diapers with their bare hands. Some staff even had to use the same pair of gloves to bathe more than one patient.

HAEA mentioned that according to the occupational safety and health regulations, it is the responsibility of Hospital Authority as the employer to provide sufficient personal protective equipment to ensure that employees work in a safe environment. HA Employees Alliance also demanded them to explain and clarify whether their recent change in the guidelines has met international standards. They also urged the Labor Department to investigate.

Source: Stand News #Mar11
#MedicalStaff #Masks #ChinesePneumonia
#Newspaper

China raises export requirements for medical supplies. Over 1 million RMB worth of PPE delayed at customs.
Ministry of Commerce researcher states, "This is in answer foreign intentions. We will see the consequences in the EU and US in a week"


(1 Apr) China's medical supplies exports received international criticism for its low quality. The Ministry of Commerce reacted by increasing the requirements for export. Starting from 1 April, all businesses must obtain registration certificates for exporting medical supplies. This includes testing kits and face masks.

Compared to previous requirements of only obtaining FDA certification from the US or CE certification from the EU, the new conditions for export are more stringent.

A businessman who manufactures PPE in Shandong said that he has over 1 mil RMB worth of PPE currently held in customs. He expects the inspection report to take 10 to 15 days, after which he can ship the goods. However, it will have already violated some terms in the contracts between him and his foreign buyers.

He believes that due to the previous lack of monitoring and quality control, the government is now responding to international criticism with the new rules, "We (China) used to export to America and Europe with FDA and CE (certifications). But after obtaining these certifications, some manufacturers went on to create products below certification standards."

Mei Xinyu, a Ministry of Commerce researcher, stressed that raising export requirements was in answer to international intentions and a self-defence mechanism. "You [US and EU] did not use our products according to instructions. Without even checking them yourselves, you blame Chinese products for everything. We want to use China’s production capability to save lives and do good. We have no interest in being smeared for helping others. Per your request, we are tightening our controls (to export requirements)."

He added, "In a week, let's see what consequences you people in the EU and US will face for airing your troublesome opinions. The Chinese government puts the lives of Chinese people first. Yet, in the EU and US, politicians, media and public opinion simply disregard the lives of their people. Then, you want to talk about human rights issues in China. Just shut your mouths!"

#MedicalSuppliesExport
#IcabelChinaGroup

Source: Icable News
https://bit.ly/2RcfGSk

#China #MedicalSupplies #Quality #Masks #TestKits
Study on face masks and their use against transmission of coronavirus

There has been an ongoing dispute over whether the public should wear face masks to protect against COVID-19 transmission. The uncertainty was manifested by conflicting advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and experts globally over wearing masks.

Very little is known about the efficacy of surgical face masks against COVID-19 transmission. Currently, most studies on surgical masks measure the efficacy of virus filtering of non-biological particles. Moreover, they focus mainly on influenza virus instead of coronavirus.

Such shortcomings were addressed in a recent publication in Nature Magazine, where researchers from the University of Hong Kong measured the efficacy of surgical face masks against the transmission of seasonal coronavirus, influenza virus and rhinoviruses. All measurements were taken from respiratory droplets and aerosols of symptomatic patients.

The results showed surgical face masks reduced the transmission of coronavirus and influenza virus. In particular, the study detected a reduction of coronavirus RNA from patients' respiratory droplets and aerosols. While the study focused on coronavirus strains other than COVID-19, the results suggested the potential of face masks at reducing COVID-19 transmission.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0843-2

#Masks #HKU
#Newspaper

China Isn’t Helping Italy. It’s Waging Information Warfare

//Italy is an ideal outpost for China’s wide-reaching propaganda effort to cover up its own responsibility for the global spread of the new coronavirus, all the while presenting itself as a compassionate power aiding Western countries in need.

//The government has been pursuing a two-pronged strategy that carefully combines sending medical supplies to assert its relevance in a leaderless world—call it mask diplomacy—while at the same time spreading conspiracy theories to conceal the true origin of the virus. In this “global battle of narratives,”

//it’s also led by a government coalition that includes the Five Star Movement, a Euroskeptic and increasingly pro-Chinese party that has for years relentlessly promoted a stronger relationship with Beijing while downplaying the traditional trans-Atlantic alliance and fueling suspicion toward NATO

//Recently, China’s state media outlets suggested the new coronavirus originated in Italy, not in Wuhan, by shrewdly twisting the words of the Italian physician Giuseppe Remuzzi

//it was part of a commercial deal formalized a few days before in a phone call between the foreign ministers of China and Italy, Luigi di Maio and Wang Yi. Italy was buying medical equipment from China, but the government took advantage of a parallel donation made by China’s Red Cross to make it look like an instance of its “politics of generosity.”

//selectively praising China’s generous efforts while downplaying the belated solidarity coming from EU members

//If the Chinese government knew [about the virus] and didn’t tell it publicly, it committed a crime against humanity

//The Five Star Movement has long been a hotbed for conspiracy theories and fake news

//France and Germany combined have now donated more masks to Italy than China, and Austria contributed 1.6 million more. German hospitals are taking care of some patients from Italy, while France donated 200,000 protective suits.

Source: FP, (31-Mar)
https://bit.ly/3bVxn08

Further reading:
Italy is ranked as the country with the most rapid spread of Covid-19 outside of China.
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19303

#Italy #China #ChinesePropaganda #France #Germany #Austria #Masks #Donation #OneBeltOneRoad #MaskDiplomacy
#Newspaper

Chinese manufacturer threatened to sell fake infrared thermometers to harm the Americans but later apologised for it's “patriotic act”

(30 Mar) The quality of the Chinese made medical supplies are in great doubt. Days ago, some Chinese manufacturers claimed to manufacture fake infrared thermometers and sell them to the United States, so the Americans cannot test their temperate accurately. The manufacturer said that they did it out of “patriotism”. Researchers found that in the last few months, the Chinese government has stirred up many public opinions, and nationalism has become part of the preventive measures. Some mainland Chinese residents said that many businessmen cashed in on the pandemic and made huge amount of money during the suffering of the nation. They took advantage of the epidemic, and that many medical supplies are fake with bad qualities.

//Many countries have found quality issues in the medical supplies from China.

//Through shifting the blame or speaking about nationalism, it resolves some pressure for the authority. “

I believe the authority pushes theses nationalistic thoughts among citizens, and it actually boosted the world’s distrust and suspicion on China. The “made in China” tag, the sincerity of donating face masks, etc, all these diplomatic moves have casted doubts on China's purposes.

//there are many other medical supplies without any certifications.

Full translation:
https://telegra.ph/Chinese-manufacturer-threatened-to-sell-fake-infrared-thermometers-to-harm-the-Americans-but-later-apologised-for-its-patriotic--04-14

Source: Rfa
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/cn-fake-03302020093609.html

Further reading:
Thermometer Only Gives Reading Below 37°C, Thai Police Arrest Chinese Smugglers of Fake Thermometer and COVID19 Test Kits
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/1948

#Patriotism #Nationalism #Masks #InfraredThermometer #Holland #Fake #MedicalSupplies #ZhangXuandong #MotherYangCongeeRestaurant
#Newspaper

Finland's Emergency Supply Agency Head Quits Over Face Mask Purchase

// The Finnish government said on Friday it has accepted the resignation of the head of the country's emergency supply agency over a multi-million euro purchase of Chinese face masks that proved unsuitable for hospital use.

// The National Emergency Supply Centre had paid two Finnish agents a combined 10 million euros ($11 million) for face mask deliveries from China.

//The delivery that arrived from China on Tuesday was meant to contain 2 million surgical masks and 230,000 other face masks.

//But the masks were quickly found not to be suitable for hospital use due to their low quality

//the first delivery of masks were bought via an agent who previously ran a short-term loan business and who faces court orders for debts.

Source: NYTimes, (10-Apr)
https://nyti.ms/3cqkQCo

Further reading:
Thermometer Only Gives Reading Below 37°C, Thai Police Arrest Chinese Smugglers of Fake Thermometer and COVID19 Test Kits
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19480
China raises export requirements for medical supplies. Over 1 million RMB worth of PPE delayed at customs
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19304
Several Countries Report Incorrect Results From China's COVID-19 Test Kits; Beijing: Chinese Test Kits are of Good Quality
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19062
Czech Republic finds 150,000 rapid coronavirus test kits recieved from China have an 80% error rate, returns to laboratory testing
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19058
Some coronavirus test kits shipped to states are not working as expected, the CDC says
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/17293

#Finland #Masks #Purchase #China #Unusable #MadeInChina
#Newspaper #OpinionArticle

Reflections from the virus crisis: Should the world take "cost" as the sole consideration for manufacturing?

(7 Apr) Many country relies heavily on manufacturing in China. When a crisis arises, huge demand of products is created. Country with enormous manufacturing capability has the power to make decisions.

Crisis creates opportunity. I believe that after this time, the world will hold a different view!

After the Netherlands and Spain, the medical-grade masks shipped by Austrian Airlines at the end of March are completely unusable.

After a review, the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that the masks provided to South Tyrolean did not meet FFP standards. At present, the Austrian army has taken over the logistics of these masks.

Following the criticisms of the Netherlands and Spain on the poor quality of the protective equipment produced in China, South Tyrolean is also experiencing the same situation. The Ministry of Economy confirmed in Vienna that the large number of FFP2 and FFP3 masks that will be shipped to South Tyrolean are not usable. Initially, these masks were ordered from China through a sporting goods company and shipped by a private plane of Austrian Airlines.

In addition to the masks, 400,000 sets of protective clothing were transported to the Vienna International Airport. When the Red Cross carried out a visual inspection of masks at the airport, they were shocked. Later when the Ministry of Economy sent the items to the German laboratory for examination, the results showed that they did not meet the FFP standards.

Austrian Minister of Economy Margarete Schramböck (ÖVP) also criticized publicly at a press conference that nine out of ten medical
masks provided by international suppliers were unusable. Fortunately, a consortium of Vorarlberger has invested in the manufacture of masks. If there are enough tailors, they will be able to produce 500,000 masks per day. This is not an unachievable target. Up to now, there are 1,700 tailors. You just have to find 700 more.

#RelyOnYourselfIsTheMostReliable

Source: Facebook
https://bit.ly/3brvjNy

Further reading:
Chinese manufacturer threatened to sell fake infrared thermometers to harm the Americans but later apologised for it's “patriotic act”
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19516

#MedicalSupplies #Masks #ProtectiveClothing #Austria #Netherlands #Spain #Unusable #MadeInChina
#Speech
Taiwan is a true friend for Europe and the World
Stephane Corcuff, a scholar at the Lyon School of Political Science in France, posted a video on Facebook on the 8 April, emphasizing that Taiwan unconditionally donates masks to European countries without diplomatic relations and is a true friend of Europe. He called on the government to give a helping hand to Taiwan, not to let her to face China's suppression alone.

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️Watch
https://youtu.be/EIystnbG9T0

Further reading:
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro calls WHO chief one of China's 'proxies' at the UN
https://www.foxnews.com/media/peter-navarro-china-who-tedros-proxy

#France #Taiwan #Masks #Donation #China #CCP #Deal #Pandemic #Friend #Europe
#Newspaper

German Government Spokespersons’s Reponse to Taiwan’s Mask Donation

//German government spokespersons unable to say Thank You to Taiwan for donating 1 mio. masks. Shameful.//
=========================

Für Taiwans 1-Mio-Masken-Spende sagt Regierungssprecher Seibert nicht nur nicht Danke, er bringt nicht mal das Wort "Taiwan" über die Lippen.
Das ist eine Steilvorlage für Bundestagsabgeordnete (und Medien), die das auch peinlich finden.

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QALfB04bjio&feature=youtu.be

Source:
TaiwanReporter, (15-Apr)

#Germany #Taiwan #Masks #Donation