PUEBLA, Mexico -- All around the world, the coronavirus pandemic has left people scrambling for protective face coverings.
But in Mexico, where the masked stars of "lucha libre" wrestling are already cultural icons, people are using their colorful masks to ward off the disease in style.
In less than a month, Huerta has sold 600 masks, churning out 30 a day -- and he has a backlog of orders that will take more than a month to fulfill. After retiring, he got his hands on a couple of old sewing machines and started turning out –- together with his sister –- masks for both professional wrestlers and their fans.
That was when his son-in-law noticed how useful and attractive the mask could be for Mexicans facing the airborne virus. "They don't really understand what is going on and putting on the mask of a luchador makes them feel like superheroes, while it also protects them," he said.The walls of Huerta's poorly lit workshop, where he works furiously to meet his orders, are covered with old newspaper cuttings and photos of him in his glory days as The Grey Cat.
Every day, they have to figure out how to send packages to far-flung parts of the country, like prosperous Monterrey in the north.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
In Mexico, ‘lucha libre’ masks en vogue in virus fightIn Mexico, where the masked stars of “lucha libre” wrestling are already cultural icons, people are using their colorful masks to ward off the disease in style. | AFP
Read more »
In Mexico, 'lucha libre' masks en vogue in virus fight
Read more »
In Mexico, 'lucha libre' masks en vogue in virus fight
Read more »
In Mexico, ‘lucha libre’ masks en vogue in virus fightIn Mexico, where the masked stars of “lucha libre” wrestling are already cultural icons, people are using their colorful masks to ward off the disease in style. | AFP
Read more »
In Cebu City, COVID-19 patients stay fit to fight the virus
Read more »
Two Dutch mink farms infected with coronavirusDutch authorities believe the animals caught the virus from human contact. COVID19
Read more »