As part of countermeasures against the spread of Corona 19, the Japanese government plans to distribute 80 million cloth masks to kindergartens, etc., as reported by the Asahi Shimbun and Kyodo News on the 28th.

According to the report, distribution targets include kindergartens, nursery schools, facilities for the disabled, and care (care for the elderly). The distribution period is from the end of this month to September.

Earlier, the Abe Shinzo regime distributed 20 million sheets from April to 40 million from June.

It is called'Abeno Mask' (Abe's Mask), and it is a different business from the nationwide furniture distribution cloth mask that has been mocked, but the material and shape of the mask are the same.

Since the Japanese government has released cloth fabrics for pregnant women since March, masks distributed to households across the country have discovered foreign substances such as mold and insects, and have a re-examination.

During the re-examination process, the distribution of masks was delayed, and at the time of distribution, there was a lot of evaluation that the effect of policy was not exerted due to the fact that many of the masks on the market were resolved.

This controversial cloth mask distribution project continues to be pursued in order to extinguish the orders already placed.

Asahi acquired and analyzed 37 contracts signed by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in relation to the cloth mask distribution business. As a result, the total amount of cloth masks already distributed and ordered is 280 million.

The distribution of household furniture is 130 million, and the distribution of kindergartens and nursing facilities is 150 million.

The total ordering cost was KRW 50.5 billion (about KRW 557.5 billion), all of which were voluntary contracts, not competitive bidding.

In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also ordered an additional 58 million sheets for nine companies including Ito Chuka on June 22, after distribution of cloth masks for households across the country was completed.

Since the lack of masks on the market has been resolved a long time ago, it has been criticized for distributing more cloth masks.

A nurse 44, a visiting nursing worker in Kitakyushu, said, “The government's cloth mask is small and can't be used for nursing because it doesn't stick to the face. I will not use it," said Asahi.

(Photo = Getty Image Korea)