A New Jersey convenience store owner has been charged for creating and selling a homemade sanitizer to combat the coronavirus, which in turn left four children with burns.
According to the Huffington Post, 47-year-old Manisha Bharade mixed foaming sanitizer with water and sold the bottles in her store, although the initial ingredient wasn’t meant for resale.
If that wasn’t enough, officials also opened an investigation into the sale and promotion of other health and sanitation products at her 7-Eleven store.
“Let me be perfectly clear: if you try to take advantage of our residents during a public health emergency, we will hold you accountable,” said Attorney General, Gurbir Grewal, after issuing a summons charging Bharade with endangering the welfare of a child and deceptive business practices. “Retailers who try to make a quick buck by exploiting others will face civil and criminal consequences.”
One person has died in Jersey from the illness, as several other residents fight to recover. However, according to the World Health Organization, majority of those infected with the illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more serious conditions recover in six.
In the meantime, five of the 14 bottles Bharade sold to the public have been turned over to officials.
