Toothpick maker releases button-pressing sticks amid virus fears english.kyodonews.net

KYODO NEWS - 4 hours ago - 09:25 | All, Japan, CoronavirusAn Osaka Prefecture-based toothpick manufacturer has released a new product to help people reduce the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus through contact with surfaces -- wooden sticks for pressing buttons in elevators and other public places.
Marketed as "noncontact sticks from a toothpick maker," the product developed by Kikusui Sangyo uses recycled wood from Hokkaido difficult to process for other purposes after being exposed to moisture during manufacturing.
The product, which features the tagline "come, press to your heart's content," comes with an additional container to hold the disposable sticks after use.
stores start resuming operations as virus concerns easeDelivery of "Abenomasks" starts in 34 remaining prefecturesOne set contains around 120 sticks, each measuring roughly 7.5 centimeters in length.
"I want to send the message that even a small-town factory hit hard by the novel coronavirus can turn the tables with just one idea," she said.