Lantau, Hong Kong.-Gary Stokes, fundador de la organizaciónOceans Asia, informó que miles de cubrebocas fueron encontrados en un pequeño grupo de islas que se encuentran frente a la costa suroeste deLantauen Hong Kong. El equipo visita estas playas dos veces al mes para investigar sobre la acumulación de basura incluido el micro plástico.

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

More surgical masks washing up on Hong Kong beaches……… #coronavirus #covid19 #hk #beach #marinedebris #virus

Una publicación compartida porOceansAsia(@oceansasia) el6 de Mar de 2020 a las 1:00 PST

Debido a lapandemiadecoronavirus, la población en general ha tomado la precaución de usar máscaras quirúrgicas y si tienes una población de 7 millones de personas que usan una o dos máscaras por día, la cantidad de basura generada es impresionante”, indicó Gary en el sitio web de su organización.

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

Sadly No Shortage of Surgical Masks On Hong Kong Beaches OceansAsia are currently 5 months into a year long study of #marinedebris and #microplastics. Our research site is located on the Soko Islands, a small group of islands located south west of Lantau at the mouth of the Pearl River delta and one of the focuses is investigating the make up of the debris, where it comes from etc. On this months survey trip the team noticed a new arrival to the beach, the surgical mask. Besides the obvious disgust in hygiene mentality the interesting part for us is seeing the timing. With such a massive social change (everyone wearing masks) it has taken 6 weeks to see the effects wash up on our beaches. Surgical masks would possibly have been there before the COVID-19 virus in very small numbers, but no way on the scale we witnessed. We have been on this beach twice a month for 5 months. In Hong Kong we have already seen our nature trails getting trashed by masks, however to now know that something introduced enmasse to a population, takes just 6 weeks to arrive on our beaches. This highlights we have a serious waste management system, both in Hong Kong & China. Photo: Naomi Brennan *Gloves were worn at all times and collected masks were disposed of correctly. #covid19 #virus #cdc

Una publicación compartida porOceansAsia(@oceansasia) el29 de Feb de 2020 a las 5:56 PST

Stokes indicó que la situación es realmente grave y preocupante pues las mascarillas están siendo desechadas de una manera irresponsable, causando problemas en el medio ambiente.