Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is lending the United States a helping hand during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ma, who is the wealthiest man in Asia, announced Friday that he plans to donate 500,000 COVID-19 test kits and 1 million face masks to the U.S.
“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 said in a statement.
“We can’t beat this virus unless we eliminate boundaries to resources and share our know-how and hard-earned lessons,” he added.
Through a donation of 500,000 testing kits and 1 million masks, we join hands with Americans in these difficult times. pic.twitter.com/tGviVhC6Gx
— Jack Ma Foundation (@foundation_ma) March 13, 2020
President Trump’s administration has been criticized for the lag in testing as cases of the flulike illness spread across the country. The president declared a national emergency during a speech outside the White House on Friday and also faced questions about the country’s capacity to test possible cases.
“The action I am taking will open up access to up to $50 billion of very important and a large amount of money for states and territories and localities in our shared fight against this disease,” Trump said.
There have been almost 1,900 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 41 deaths in the U.S.
