Man Paid RM17,000 For Custom Gold Mask To Ward Off COVID-19

Main image via South China Morning Post

Face masks are the new norm in the world now after the COVID-19 outbreak but one man in India decided to make his mask stand out from the rest!

A man from Pune, India decided to have a custom-made gold mask made to protect himself from the COVID-19 virus!

The business man named Shankar Kurhade said that he got the idea of making a gold mask after seeing the news about a silver mask. He paid around RM17,000 ($4,000) to custom make the gold mask.

“I saw a news on television about a silver mask. I then spoke to my jeweller and ordered a gold mask,” he said.

The gold mask weighs 60 grams and took eight days to make. The 49-year-old man said that “it is a thin mask and has tiny pores that is helping me to breathe.”

“I am not sure if it will be effective to protect me from a coronavirus infection but I am taking other precautions.”

The internet was baffled by the man wearing the custom-made gold mask, with many saying the money could have been used to make masks that could be donated to people in need and some jokingly asked where and when he would be disposing of his face mask.

Wish people learned that “charity” is so much more fulfilling than this extravagance. So many people could’ve been fed, so many masks could’ve been built with that much money lying around.

— Shaurya (@_shaurya) July 4, 2020

For that worth, he could have donated so many cotton washable layered masks.

— Ashwin (@ashwinyadav_98) July 4, 2020

Sir please tell me where are you going to dispose the mask after a six hour use😁 Or else I can pic up the waste mask after your use😎

— Veteran _ Syam (@I_mSyam) July 4, 2020

The gold-jewellery lover also revealed that people have been asking him for selfies when they see him wearing his gold mask, amongst other gold jewellery like a bracelet, a necklace and rings on him.

“They are awestruck when they see me wearing the gold mask in markets,” he added. "All my family members love gold, if they too demand it, then I will get it designed for them too.”

“I do not know if I will be infected with the coronavirus wearing a gold mask or not, but following all the rules of the government can prevent the spread of virus.”

Face masks are mandatory in public places in India that has over 699,000 confirmed cases and  19,700 deaths recorded.

Do you know someone that loves gold as much as him? Let us know what are your thoughts on the gold mask!

Stay safe and stay updated with the latest COVID-19 news here: https://en.syok.my/covid-19

Info via South China Morning Post