Ravichandran Ashwin offers to purchase N95 masks for needy, seeks fans for ideas on how to distribute them

As India fights a devastating second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin's philanthropic side came to the fore when he offered to buy N95 masks for people who couldn't afford them. Ashwin encouraged his followers to wear two masks, and not fabric masks, in a tweet. When a Twitter user pointed out that an N95 mask could be out of reach for many in the country, Ashwin offered to buy them and asked his followers to come up with ideas for how to distribute them to those in need.

N 95 masks can be washed and reused. I am happy to buy and give it to people who can’t afford it! Please let me know ways to distribute them if you or anyone on my timeline knows how???? https://t.co/iGjTmVDXqs

— MASK UP INDIA ( NO CLOTH MASKS PLS)???????????????? (@ashwinravi99) May 7, 2021

Ashwin, who took a break from the Indian Premier League to help his family recover from COVID-19, on Friday morning tweeted, urging people to keep a healthy distance from one another and get their vaccinations.

A single N95 mask starts from 70rs , A normal surgical mask costs 10rs which we can't and shouldn't use for more than 8 hours.
People who suffer to get food, people who have low income , how can they afford this?

Solution?

— @im_manoj (@im_mano12) May 7, 2021

And, when another Twitter user pointed out that there were no vaccination centres in his city, Ashwin responded "All I can say is that you should wait until it becomes available. We are a nation with a population of over a billion citizens. Until then, stay safe and cautious."

All I can say is please wait till it’s made available for you. We are a country in excess of a billion people. Stay safe and careful till then???? https://t.co/38NlqEOHdQ

— MASK UP INDIA ( NO CLOTH MASKS PLS)???????????????? (@ashwinravi99) May 7, 2021

In IPL 2021, Ashwin was a member of the Delhi Capitals, but he had to withdraw from the tournament when several members of his family tested positive. Subsequently, while fighting the virus, Ashwin's wife Prithi gave an insight into the family's ordeal, describing COVID-19 as the "most isolating disease."

Further, Prithi disclosed that the virus had infected ten members of her family, including six adults and four children.

According to health ministry data released on Friday, India has recorded over 400,000 COVID-19 cases and nearly 4000 deaths.