Sharp plans to start making face masks at one of its factories in Japan. The plant, in Kameyama, MIE prefecture, is usually used for mass-producing large LCD panels and assembling TVs.

Sharp will make 150,000 masks a day by the end of this month, rising to as much as 500,000 a day. The facility is said to be well-suited for mask production because of the essential high standards of cleanliness.

Face masks are a common sight in Japan, particularly in winter. Most retailers restrict buyers to a single pack at a time. Sellers have been jacking up prices on online marketplaces.

Us surgeon general Jerome Adams urged the public not to add to the demand.’they are not effective in preventing general public from catching # coronavirus, but if healthcare providers ca n’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!’.