The masks of the states fall in the war for a medical mask
All against all and whoever catches up with each other in the battle for a medical mask, as if we are living in times of real war...
We have no war, and anyone who compares periods of war with the coronavirus pandemic, which led to restrictive measures, is the least naive and far from reality. So, we may not have a war, but there is a "war" for products that, in the future, will characterize this period: masks, antiseptics, etc.
The fact that medical supplies are a commodity for sale to him with the most money - with all that entails for the peoples - is highlighted by the recriminations between the United States and other countries, led by Germany and Canada, for surgical masks loads.
Germany vs. US
The Germans are complaining about the US and do not hesitate to call the American "pirates" for a case about what? The protective masks.
The Berlin allegations speak of a seizure of a masks cargo that would reach Germany via Thailand, but with the intervention of the United States, it was led to the United States! A spokesman for the Berlin police, for which the masks were intended, complained to the German "Die Welt" that a US company had lured the manufacturer with an amount greater than what the Germans had paid and "stole" the masks. Now whether the Germans will get their money back is another story. But they did not get masks at least the 400.
Italy vs. Turkey
The Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera revealed two weeks ago that Turkey had blocked a cargo of 200,000 masks destined for Italian hospitals. The masks were paid for with 670,000 euros in funds, but the Ankara customs office was constantly demanding new documents, leaving the masks away from their final destination. The Italian newspaper clearly distinguished political expediencies and selfish intentions from the Turkish authorities. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte spoke personally with Erdogan, who assured him that the issue would be resolved immediately. Still waiting…
Spain vs. Turkey
The Spanish government accuses Turkey of seizing hundreds of respirators as well as other hospital equipment destined for Spain. In a press conference on Friday, April 3rd, Spain's foreign minister said Turkey was holding the respirators for the treatment of its own patients, with Arancha Gonzalez revealing her failed attempt to persuade her Turkish counterpart to leave the equipment. "Turkey is blocking the export of medical equipment mobilized due to the need for medical supplies." On April 4th Turkey authorized the delivery of the respirators and the Spanish government withdrew all her accusations against the Turkish government.
Canada vs. US
At the same time, the provincial prime minister of Ontario, Canada's largest province, announced that the United States had blocked the delivery of 3 million face masks to be used in the fight against the new coronavirus epidemic. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has ordered an investigation into the incident.
US allies are protesting what they call "Wild West" tactics, describing methods adopted by Washington, such as making more substantial offers or blocking shipments to buyers who have already signed medical equipment deals. In France and Germany, high-ranking officials say the United States pays far above the market price for medical masks and, in some cases, wins contracts even after European buyers believe they have closed the deal. At the same time, Brazil's health minister also reported a similar incident.
Donald Trump said, last Monday, that the US government is now urging Americans to cover their faces with a cloth to limit the spread of the virus, but the CDC's guidelines do not recommend that people wear medical level masks. Trump also signed an order to stop the export of N95 masks, which provide effective protection for the health sector workers and other US medical equipment.
The US-based multinational 3M Co. announced on Friday, April 3rd, that the White House had ordered it to suspend all shipments to Canada and Latin America of respirators manufactured in the United States, despite the "significant humanitarian consequences" that 3M points out that there will be.
In France, three governors outlined a similar picture. Jean Rottner said, "We're working around the clock to ensure these masks arrive," in the Grand-Est region, where the epidemic first broke out, before expanding westward to Paris. He said that the loads were changing hands at the last minute; "Americans pay three or four times the amount we pay, and in cash," "At airport runways, Americans take out their cash and pay three or four times what we have offered," Rottner told RTL France. Rottner's counterpart in the greater Paris area, Valérie Pécresse, said she lost order from a country with deep pockets, but did not name the United States.
The French Foreign Ministry said it was checking the information. However, an official expressed doubts that action could be taken. "These are the forces of the market," he said. "The one who pays more gets the prize."
Photo credits: euronews.
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