Filipino Good Samaritans Hand out Face Masks for Free
By Saghir Ahmed Aslam
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
(The following information is provided solely to educate the Muslim community about investing and financial planning. It is hoped that the Ummah will benefit from this effort through greater financial empowerment, enabling the community to live with dignity and fulfill their moral obligations towards charitable activities)
Good Samaritans are handing out free face masks in Dubai and Sharjah in the wake of coronavirus concerns in the UAE following reports of shortages at most pharmacies.
Filipino expat Lyle Daguino Ham told Gulf News that he and his friend Patrick Fronda, decided to give away the surgical masks for free “because people have become wary about reports of coronavirus and are looking for face masks to protect them.
“We ourselves had a hard time looking for face masks until I found them readily available at a hypermarket in Sharjah.
Ham and Fronda bought 10 boxes containing 50 surgical masks at Dh6 per pack and distributed them to anyone they met on the street in Al Nahda on Thursday night.
Ham bought more masks and distributed them in Al Rigga, Dubai on Friday night.
“We were just happy to give out free masks,” said Ham. “We knew people were scrambling for them and that some stores have allegedly hiked up their prices,
Meanwhile, Dubai Economic Department has warned pharmacies not to hike prices for face masks. The warning came after Gulf News reported a shortage on Wednesday in local stores.
“DED instructs pharmacies and medical supply businesses not to increase masks prices,” said the DED in a tweet on Thursday morning.
“DED resolved a business complaint by obligating a pharmacy to supply masks with its original price,” added another tweet from the department.
The DED asked consumers to file complaints if they find the price of masks had been increased.
Online stores have started selling N-95 protective masks, which cost between Dh150 to Dh180 (for a box of 20), for up to Dh599 (per piece).
Complaints can be registered at the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector in Dubai Economy.
(Saghir A. Aslam only explains strategies and formulas that he has been using. He is merely providing information, and NO ADVICE is given. Mr. Aslam does not endorse or recommend any broker, brokerage firm, or any investment at all, nor does he suggest that anyone will earn a profit when or if they purchase stocks, bonds or any other investments. All stocks or investment vehicles mentioned are for illustrative purposes only. Mr. Aslam is not an attorney, accountant, real estate broker, stockbroker, investment advisor or certified financial planner. MrAslam does not have anything for sale.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
