In response to the call for aid from Lower Silesia, the Bavarian government is preparing to send nearly nine tons of supplies to Wrocław, Poland, to support flood relief efforts. While the shipment includes essential items like bedding and mattresses, one peculiar item stands out—20,000 mop covers. This contribution not only highlights Bavaria’s commitment to helping its neighbours but also clears surplus pandemic stockpiles.
As first reported by Süddeutsche Zeitung, the aid package will include 500 pillows and duvets, 1,000 pillowcases and duvet covers, 500 bedsheets, 200 mattresses, and the notable 20,000 mop covers. The total value of the shipment is estimated to be around €155,000.
These items are being released from Bavaria’s pandemic reserve, which was built up during the height of COVID-19 but is no longer required. The inclusion of mop covers has drawn particular attention. They were initially purchased in 2020 by Hubert Aiwanger, Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs from the Free Voters party. At the time, Aiwanger’s decision to procure such a large quantity of mop covers was ridiculed, even by his coalition partners in the Christian Social Union (CSU).
Despite sending 20,000 mop covers to Poland, Bavaria still has an additional 60,000 in storage. In a tongue-in-cheek comment, Süddeutsche Zeitung remarked, “The CSU and the opposition will likely apologize to Aiwanger soon for the mop-related teasing—or perhaps they’ll just thank, maybe in Polish, ‘Dzięki, Hubert!’”