Russia: Prisonerts, students and military personell to produce anti-infection equipment

Russian prisoners, students and military personnel will produce medical masks and other equipment as the country faces down the coronavirus pandemic, according to The Moscow Times. The Federal Penitentiary Service has been ordered to have its inmates produce masks, says an order from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Russia has the world’s fourth-largest prison population, with nearly 520,000 inmates.

The Education Ministry, Defense Ministry and Rosgvardia (the National Guard) have also been instructed to “provide conditions for the production of personal protective equipment,” including masks and protective suits, Mishustin’s order reportedly said. 

Since Monday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia has nearly doubled from 63 to 114.