Scots key workers use one million masks daily in fight against coronavirus

A million face masks are being used daily in Scotland by key workers in the fight against the spread of coronavirus.

The masks are being used by NHS staff, social care workers, firefighters, police officers and prison staff.

Scotland’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) was boosted on Friday after 10 million face masks and 100,000 testing kits from China arrived at Prestwick Airport on a charter flight.

A similar cargo landed at the Ayrshire airport the previous week but the scale of the PPE required will demand regular consignments. A source close to the supply process said: “The demand for up to a million masks a day put into perspective the scale of the task the Scottish Government faces in providing adequate PPE to everyone who needs it.

“The supply of more than 20 million masks in the last week or so suggests there is plenty available, but when you are using a million a day we need to keep replenishing the stockpile.”

The Scottish Government said: “We are absolutely determined that all our hard-working health and social care staff and key workers get the right personal protective equipment to keep them safe. We currently have adequate stock of all forms of PPE supplies for the current level of demand.”

However, social care providers have warned they have not been receiving enough protective equipment. Yesterday Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the supply of PPE would be extended to all social care providers, including family and unpaid carers.

She said: “The Scottish Government values the importance of everyone who is providing social care and we want to ensure they have access to appropriate PPE. As we respond to the challenges from global scarcity of PPE, we have worked with partners to agree an improved model that will ensure all social care providers have access to supplies from national NHS stock.”

Although tens of millions of face masks are coming to Scotland from China, Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday the Scottish Government was working to boost domestic supply lines. The First Minister said 1,600 businesses and individuals have offered to help the flow of supplies and equipment.