Mar 01, 2021 15:21:00

Pointed out that Facebook, Amazon, and Google are hindering the sale of safe masks

At the beginning of the outbreak of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the lack of protective equipment for healthcare professionals became a problem, and online platforms such as Facebook, Amazon, and Google banned or restricted the advertisement and sale of medical grade masks. I did. However, even after the introduction of protective equipment to the medical field in 2021, the above policy still existed, which hindered the distribution of masks manufactured by small and medium-sized enterprises, New York Times. The Times points out.

Facebook, Amazon and Others Restrict Online Sales of Masks --The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/26/health/n95-masks-facebook-sale-amazon.html

In 2020, following the shortage of masks due to the epidemic of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Facebook has set a policy that 'medical grade masks should be provided to healthcare professionals'. Started blocking ads for. CastleGrade, which sells high-filtering rate, reusable masks used by dentists and teachers in the United States, was unable to advertise due to this policy, and sales of $ 5,000 a day were $ 40,000 (about 4.26 million yen). It has decreased to (about 530,000 yen).

On the other hand, companies that sell non-medical grade cloth masks and plastic protective equipment can continue to advertise, so masks that are less effective than just cloth dominate the market. Dan Castle, the president of Castle Grade, complains about the current situation.

Not only Facebook, but Google still has the policy of 'not handling medical grade masks' made in the early days of COVID-19, where lack of protective equipment was a problem. In addition, although Amazon does not prohibit handling, it is said that the availability of users is restricted by the algorithm. Due to these online platform policies, many manufacturers not part of the hospital network are leaving inventory in their warehouses.

Initially, the shortage of protective equipment for healthcare professionals was a problem, but

major manufacturers such as 3M are expanding mask production, and China, which had suspended exports of N95 masks, is resuming exports to the United States. I will. Under these circumstances, it has been pointed out that the above platform policies are becoming 'obsolete'.

But Facebook explained that the policy banning the sale of medical masks was based on guidance from US health officials and the need to curb the sale of counterfeit masks. “We regularly evaluate our policies, balancing the growth of small and medium-sized brands,” he said.

On the other hand, Amazon had a problem with the rampant scammers who sell masks at high prices and fraudsters who do not deliver products, but the sale of medical masks itself was not prohibited. Although Amazon permits the sale of N95 masks, its distribution is almost monopolized in the form of 'Amazon purchases masks from major manufacturers and ships them directly from the Amazon warehouse.' It is said that small companies can sell N95 masks only if the buyer has an Amazon business account. For this reason, when a general consumer searches for 'N95', what comes out is a low-grade mask made in China called 'KN95'.

Many companies struggle to sell masks on Amazon, including T3 Gear, a California mask maker. T3Gear was asked to submit test data when handling its own 'mask that can filter at least 95% of pathogens' on Amazon. After confirming the submitted data, Amazon approved the sale of T3 Gear masks, but after a few months, users' mask purchases were blocked. Even after the sale was approved, the product lineup was still under KN95, said Michael Atkins of T3 Gear. 'Amazon always changes the rules without any explanation. I understand that Amazon is not a charity, but small businesses like us have no chance,' Atkins said.

Former Amazon executive and marketing consultant James Thomson said, 'At first glance, it looks like it's for healthcare professionals, with the exception of masks that they buy in bulk,' said Amazon's favorite loyalty. I think it 's a strategy for.

Dr. Abral Karan, a researcher and public health expert at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, said, 'Even though the number of cases is settling down, there are concerns about the emergence of mutant strains and the spread of the infection. To prevent infection with this virus, it is necessary to wear a mask with a high filtering rate, 'he said.' Masks such as Castle Grade and T3 Gear do not accumulate in the warehouse and must be on the market. ' Is shown. Meanwhile, in response to a New York Times question, Facebook, Amazon, Google and others have stated that they have no plans to revise their mask policies immediately.