Postman forks out NT$30,000 for his own gas mask for protection against COVID-19

Not satisfied with the protective capacity of a mere surgical mask, a postman spent NT$30,000 (US$1,085) to purchase a gas mask to protect himself and others against COVID-19, according to reports in China Times, and ET Today.

The Chunghwa Post employee, who is unnamed in reports, but referred to by the pseudonym “Mr Postman,” drew the praises of thousands of readers after his story was posted to a Facebook breaking news group.

The author of the Facebook post said that he had approached the postman out of curiosity after seeing him wearing the unusual device, and was told that the postman took the money out of his own pocket to protect himself on the job, because he came into contact with many people in the course of his work. He also wanted to protect the people he delivered letters to, the postman said.

Readers heaped praise on the postman’s dedication, saying that delivering mail during the COVID epidemic is truly a dangerous job.

One reader suggested that the national army distribute gas masks, which are lying unused, to people like mail carriers. “This is the real battlefield,” the commenter wrote: “and epidemic prevention is the priority.”

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications raised a proposal to the Central Epidemic Command and Control Center, June 10, to include mail carriers, along with taxi drivers, and delivery personnel as priority vaccine targets.

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