Samaniya Bhat
SRINAGAR, April 27: Mohammad Muzaffar Baba is a resident of Sopore, who is running a factory ‘Kashir Brand’, making ready-made garments including sports uniforms.
But these days, Baba along with his six workers is busy making masks and protective gear for health workers of Sopore hospital and other common masses in the apple town.
“When COVID pandemic started, I saw there was a shortage of masks. We initially started making masks free of cost but now we are selling these gears at very cheap rates. We are not making any profit but making masks so people can protect themselves,” Baba told Kashmir Despatch.
Besides masks, Baba’s factory is also making protective gear for healthcare workers and other people in his area.
“We can’t compare them with personal protection equipment which doctors wear in various hospitals. But these protective gear (gowns and trousers) also protect one from the deadly virus. We sell them at very low cost without making any profit,” he said.
Baba told Kashmir Despatch that initially they were making gowns which were not affordable for common people. “Now we make waterproof gowns which are washable. They can be used during the day and washed in the evening with a disinfectant. People wear them so as to not get exposed to the virus,” he said.
Doctors have also been saying that cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
He said there is a lot of demand for these waterproof gowns.
“We all know that there is a shortage of masks and PPEs in Kashmir. We are working hard to ensure people don’t face a shortage of masks and protective gear here. Everyone should come forward and help people in these difficult times,” he added
