While people all over the world continue to wrestle with the uncertainties and challenges created by COVID-19, a Chinese man made international news when he paid $1.5 million for a face mask. Dubbed the world's most expensive face mask, the Yvel Covid-19 Face Mask is expected to be delivered on December 31st by the Israeli jewelry house Yvel.
The buyer, whose identity has not been revealed, is a billionaire from Shanghai. He specifically requested that the mask be "one of the most expensive in the world", a request that the Israeli jeweler Yvel found no difficulty in fulfilling.
The mask excels in functionality with N99 filtration - the highest possible performance available on the market. And the rest of its features are northing short of extravagant: 250 grams of pure 18k gold and 3608 natural diamonds, with a weight of 210 carats all told.
Whatever artistic value this mask offers the world is shrouded by the message of blinding wealth inequality it cannot help but deliver.