The radical surge of coronavirus infection across the nation has revealed a glaring shortage of resources that has resulted in a steep cost inflation, further diminishing the availability. In this scenario of high demand and crippling supply, the Sikh community in Kanpur has launched a novel service called the 'mask langar' that is distributing free layered masks to needy persons. The 'mask langar' is set up near the Sangeet Talkies, every day from 10 AM to 12 noon.

2-layer masks to counter the 2nd COVID wave

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2Fhomemade_masks.jpg&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.momscleanairforce.org&s=614&h=0ad3bd7e35795149abf37fa33217803060bd6e53026afa3c2610df429e0d3bd3&size=980x&c=3575412464 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" site_id=20074994 caption="" photo_credit_src="https://www.momscleanairforce.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/homemade_masks.jpg" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2020%252F05%252Fhomemade_masks.jpg%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.momscleanairforce.org%26s%3D614%26h%3D0ad3bd7e35795149abf37fa33217803060bd6e53026afa3c2610df429e0d3bd3%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3575412464%22%7D" expand=1]

Kawaljeet Singh Manu, President, Yuwa Sikh Morcha, said that the cost of masks has shot up through the roof during this spiked spell of second wave infection. Prices have been almost doubled, adding yet another trouble for the poor citizens who are already struggling to protect themselves from the plague. "We have come across people who cannot afford to buy masks for themselves and their family members. Therefore, we have launched mask langar for them," he said and free masks are being provided by means of this service.

The community has hired tailors, who have started to transform thousands of turbans in its 'turban bank' into double-layered COVID masks. These turbans were donated by the members of the community, he informed. The production is conducted at the Gurudwara, he pointed out. So far, more than 10,000 masks have been distributed to healthcare professionals and people in need. Besides them, it is also handing out masks to those people who have forgotten to wear one.

The Sikh community has already been organising food langars for the needy and in some districts, the community members have even organised 'oxygen langar' where free cylinders are given out to the needy patients.