Continue to Mask Up

Chief Executive Carrie Lam wears the CuMask+ at a press conference today

There were no new coronavirus cases today, making it the 10th time in 16 days with no local infections. The government has announced that restrictions will be relaxed further on May 7, with gatherings from Friday doubled to eight people, while bars, gyms, beauty salons and cinemas can re-open, though with social-distancing measures in mind.

As things are slowly getting back to "normal", the government is now launching a reusable mask for people to use for 60 times.

How about some more colourful options for reusable masks?

It's called CuMask+, as Cu is the chemical name for copper, as the mask has this metal in it to apparently suppress the virus. Modeling the mask today at a press conference, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor pronounces it "cue" mask, or most people will probably call it "see you" mask.

Every person with a Hong Kong identity card will receive one, and each household can receive a pack of 10 disposable masks.

However there are cautions that children three years old and younger should not wear it as they might suffocate -- perhaps we will all be hard a breathing in it...

The CuMask is kind of dull-looking, a striped pattern of brown and beige against a white background (sorry no black ones). Some male colleagues have jokingly described it as a refashioned bra.

Some may continue to wear disposable masks (they already got)

Critics point out that when masks were no where to be found on the market in January, the government didn't step up to source masks, but only now when restrictions are easing and disposable masks can be bought at reasonable prices does it bring out this reusable one.

The authorities aren't quite on the ball again, as people continue to lose faith in the government to protect its own citizens, but it should at least get some points for making environmentally-friendly masks.

Once we all get these masks we're all going to look so bland... there will probably be some who will refuse to wear government-issued masks out of principle, though most people will probably give in, as long as it's relatively comfortable to wear.

Disposable masks are easy to find on the market now

But first online registration to get the mask begins tomorrow at 7am... knowing the government's abysmal track record in dealing with online traffic (websites have been known to crash), it might not be a good idea to register on the first day until they work out the bugs...