With the coronavirus casting such an ominous pall to the lunar new year’s festivities, many celebrities are helping out in what little way they can to support those affected and donating significant amounts to help purchase medical supplies and much needed medicine. However, a recent decision by Taiwan’s Premier Su Tseng-chang to implement a 1 month ban on the export of medical-grade face masks has sparked heated debate.
With the ban in place, Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu has opted to make donations through other means. In a recent post on social media, Barbie’s husband praised his wife for donating 10,000 face masks to affected areas in Wuhan which she sourced in Japan. Alas, the actress received some flak from those who support the ban and its intention to guarantee adequate domestic supply in Taiwan, advocating the idea that it is important to save yourself before saving others.
Barbie’s sister, TV presenter Dee Hsu had her back, reposting Wang Xiaofei’s (Barbie’s husband) original post on her social media which she captioned – “We are all human beings, and we all live on this earth. Not helping our fellow man is not the behavior of human beings! Without love, the earth could only get worse! Hate, is more terrible than the virus!” Barbie herself also responded to the critics, saying that helping “is the right attitude that everyone must have: take care of people when they are suffering. When people are in distress, everyone should let go of their hatred and help each other instead of fighting! She also emphasized firmly that “I want my children to foster the humanitarian spirit, and I don’t want them to grow up and become jerks who don’t care for anyone but themselves.”
Meanwhile, fellow Taiwanese and singer Christine Fan had some very strong words to say. Using her private Facebook account, the singer called out the Taiwanese premier with a few choice swear words, likening him to a “dog” and calling the halt on mask exports “distasteful and an act of hooliganism.” She received much backlash after her comments were made public.
She has since apologised for her emotional outburst on Facebook, saying that she had no intention of causing a public furor with what she said. “I acknowledge my mistakes and wish to apologise. I’m sorry for letting everyone worry and for causing trouble” writes the singer.
Source: 1
kiwilove
Although I understand why, nonetheless the ban just makes Taiwan look like pricks. And Taiwan's not even in the critical stage to even hoard much less need face masks compared to China.
Anonymous
Reading this just makes me sad. I can understand the difference (in politics) but when actual human beings are in need of help and this is how you act? I guess in times of hardship is when human nature shows their true color.
Anonymous
Yep…I’m so disappointed here…��for those sick and the drs/nurses in the frontline…
Anonymous
Well good on Taiwan for prioritizing its citizens. Having ample supply to make sure that supply for face masks won't run out is a wise decision. Look at what happened to the Philippines. They let China have a million masks and is now lacking in supply. So yes. Good on you Taiwan.
Anonymous
i know producing mask is not like a light of a candle that could be shared to others without loosing the original light … (sorry for my english, but you know what i mean)—but still helping others is a must, refusing exporting mask is fine if you are also run out, but at least give help donations or whatever, not cursing or clapping hands. virus is like a fire spreading in a neighborhood anyway, the distance is close in one asian continents.