What the Government can do, and it did, is to make N95 masks available as fast as possible. We have to give credit here.

One piece selling for S$2-plus is not unattainable, even for the poor. Grassroots organisations are also giving out masks for free.

This curbs the incentive of profiteers. Forcing merchants or individuals to not sell at the price they want, though, goes against the free market.

These merchants or individuals selling at high prices can be prosecuted only if they have misled consumers. Otherwise, the transactions are legal and fair. Immoral? Yes. But illegal? No.

As for the masks not reaching merchants quick enough, it has to be said that logistics takes time. One cannot expect things to move by waving a wand.

This comment was first posted on www.todayonline.com/voices in response to the letter, “Profiteers break our unity” (June 27).