NHS nurse criticises Boohoo for selling £5 face masks for ‘accessory purposes only’

‘Selling masks as a fashion accessory has been popular with our global customer base for a long time,’ says online fashion brand

(Boohoo.com)

An NHS nurse has criticised Boohoo for selling “fashion masks” at a time when healthcare workers are concerned about the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) when treating patients with coronavirus.

The masks cost just £5 and one has the words “eat, sleep, isolate, repeat” written across the front.

Boohoo states alongside the item that the masks are ”for accessory purposes only and should not be used as PPE”.

The online fashion retailer sells a number of “fashion masks” on its website, including one with the word “Man” written across it.

Now, in response, an anonymous frontline NHS worker has spoken out to criticise Boohoo for selling such items.

“Boohoo are selling useless ‘PPE’ fashion masks that are of no use to the public and are using their greed to make a mockery of people on the frontline,” they told The Sun.

“I, myself am a frontline nurse and find it appalling that they feel the need to make PPE into a fashion statement when we are struggling with the provision of this in the hospitals.”

Boohoo has since issued a statement in response reiterating that its masks are not to be used as PPE, nor are they marketed as such.

“Selling masks as a fashion accessory has been popular with our global customer base for a long time and like many other brands we have offered them in a variety of styles as a part of collections,” the statement begins.

“We are clear that this item is not suitable or designed to be used as protection and we are very sorry for any upset that the message on this particular item has caused and have immediately taken them off sale.”

The mask in question can still be viewed on Boohoo’s website, but the item appears to be “sold out”.

Boohoo’s statement continues: “Like everyone in the country we are immensely proud of the incredible work the front line NHS staff are doing and which is why our entire team are mobilised to identify how we can help.”

The retailer adds that it has gifted ”tens of thousands” of items of basic clothing for NHS staff to wear under their scrubs. It is also currently producing “thousands” of scrubs, masks and gowns which the company will donate.

“We have also gifted hundreds of tablets for patients to use to stay connected with their families and we are responding to hundreds of individual requests from NHS staff and charities as fast as we can,” Boohoo adds.

“We are keen to play our part and we are sorry that this item caused offence and did not reflect the efforts that our team are making.”