Chinese billionaire to send US 500,000 coronavirus test kits, 1 million face masks

[left-of-center2012]

Source: The Hill

Jack Ma, the billionaire co-founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, announced Friday that he plans to donate 500,000 coronavirus test kits to the U.S. as well as 1 million face masks.

"Drawing from my own country's experience, speedy and accurate testing and adequate personal protective equipment for medical professionals are the most effective in preventing the spread of the virus," Ma, who is the richest man in Asia, said in a statement posted to Twitter. "We can't beat this virus unless we eliminate boundaries to resources and share our know-how and hard-earned lessons."

"We hope that our donation can help Americans fight against the pandemic!” the statement also read.

The donation comes as many have complained that testing in the United States isn't moving fast enough.

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/487535-chinese-billionaire-to-send-us-500000-coronavirus-test-kits-1-million-face

[Traildogbob]

1. Anyone notify Tom Cotton?

[femmedem]

2. That's beautiful. Thank you so much for posting.

This is the kind of generosity and selflessness the world needs--and that I needed to read about this evening.

[BigmanPigman]

3. Thank you!!!!!!!!!

I was wondering when we would get some imports or donations from other countries that have tons of kits. I hope the fucking moron doesn't block them somehow (out of spite, immaturity and narcissism).

[liberalla]

4. They should be sent to the states directly!

But what a wonderful and generous gesture!

[iluvtennis]

5. I thank Jack Ma. trump admin can't get their sh*t together and we need all of the help we cna get.

[sandensea]

6. Doing Cheeto's job for him - and his own expense.

Thank you, sir.

[llmart]

7. The US has lost all standing as number one.

They should never be allowed to claim that at this particular time in our history.

We have just really lost our way as world leaders.

[Sapient Donkey]

23. During the early stages of this when it was mostly isolated to China, several US wealthy folks and

companies sent a fair amount of assistance to China. The big ones being the gates foundation. But that's pretty much expected these days. I think it's nice to see some wealthy chinese billionaires stepping around as global citizens, and also having it be recognized by the media.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

8. I would not get too excited over this. All medical devices and supplies in America.....

must be inspected, tested and approved prior to sale. Otherwise the hospital, emergency medical, lab device and industrial safety supply chain would be flooded with substandard, faulty products that could cost lives.

The items can go straight to work only if they are previously approved and tested devices AND have traceable quality control records filed.

KY...........

[ancianita]

9. Indeed. You've nailed the executive-led bureaucratic stall. It's a great gesture from Ma, though.

[Journeyman]

10. Now I know how people in developing countries feel. Wonder if he'll get us some shoes? . . .

Maybe a couple loads of unused championship t-shirts made in advance for the team that lost.

We really live in a shit hole.

[cagefreesoylentgreen]

11. I'm expecting this Badminstration to reject it

Because he and his stooges been hammering home that this is a “Chinese virus.” The xenophobia will make him turn down the help.

[Lulu KC]

12. +1

I can just hear him saying, "Thank you very much, but we don't need your infected tests, China."

[Talitha]

13. "we don't need your infected tests, China."

But thanks, we'll take your infected voting machines.

[Talitha]

14. Thank you, Mr. Ma! We desperately need all the help we can get.

[patphil]

15. I think this may very well be the first time the US has been on the receiving end...

of humanitarian aid to help us cope with a problem that is seemingly too big for our government to handle.
Usually we are the ones coming to the aid of other countries.

[ouija]

16. I bet

This guy gets a reimbursement for this PR.

[soryang]

18. DECEMBER 14, 2007 / Venezuela brings free heating oil to poor in NY

DECEMBER 14, 2007 / 5:58 PM / 12 YEARS AGO
Venezuela brings free heating oil to poor in NY
Rebekah Kebede
3 MIN READ

NEW YORK, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chavez may be a pariah in Washington, but on Friday the U.S. arm of the country’s state oil company loaded up a truck of heating oil for poor Americans in New York City.

The shipment to New York’s South Bronx section follows a similar giveaway in Boston earlier this week, in the third year of U.S. heating oil assistance by Venezuela’s Citgo Petroleum. The program has grown even as tensions have mounted between Caracas and U.S. oil companies and their allies in Washington.

https://www.reuters.com/article/citgo-energy-bronx-assistance/venezuela-brings-free-heating-oil-to-poor-in-ny-idUSN1425588920071214

[EX500rider]

24. Which was of course a PR stunt by Chavez as there are about 180+ countries poorer then the US...

...where your money would do more good, including Venz, currently with a GDP per capita of $2,548 ranked 133erd while the US is $65,111 in 7th place.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita
Even in the US the boundary between poor and rich isn't as defined as it is in Venezuela.

[Steelrolled]

22. It has happened a number of times

More than a few times it was a political stunt. I remember some natural disasters where we received aid from abroad that I think was done in good faith.

[Lucky Luciano]

17. Wealthy donors are sometimes helpful for the third world.

[C Moon]

19. If he really wants to piss off Trump, he should send them to California.

[LisaL]

20. I hope he sends us some toilet paper while he is at it.

[Maxheader]

21. Trust the powers in this country ..

To send these kits , in a timely manner to locations identified by the cdc?

Maybe we should bring help in from China?......