Coronavirus: Sharp TV factory repurposed to make face masks as people rush to protect against disease
Displays are made in 'germ-free' plants that also make good mask factories
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
A TV factory will be repurposed to make surgical face masks amid the rise of coronavirus.
The vast numbers of people looking to wear the masks has led to a shortage across many parts of the world, potentially causing problems for those healthcare professionals and others who rely on them.
Now Sharp has said it will use a plant in Japan which normally makes displays to produce up to 500,000 masks a day.
Electronics displays are generally made in what are called "germ-free" plants for the sake of high quality, making them an ideal place for mask-making.
It comes as officials condemn those people who are unnecessarily buying the masks, amid warnings over the unintended consequences of stocking up on them.
“Seriously people — STOP BUYING MASKS!” said Jerome Adams, the surgeon general of the US, on Twitter. “They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if health care providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!”
The Japanese have long worn face masks to prevent spreading colds or alleviate allergies and that practice has grown more widespread since the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus that causes the disease known as Covid-19.
Sharp, owned by Hon Hai Precision Industry Company, also known as FoxConn, of Taiwan, said mask production at its Mie Prefecture plant will start by the end of March.
Sharp, based in Osaka, Japan, said in a statement it hoped to contribute to society by making the masks.
Their prices, sales channels and other details are still undecided, it said.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments