A group of German doctors have posed nude to protest the lack of costumes, protective equipment and masks.

The protest was called Blanke Bedenken or "Concern Boxing" and members of the group said they felt threatened by the coronavirus and that their requests for help had fallen on deaf ears.

Ruben Bernau, general practitioner, told Arztezeitung that he and his team were not prepared to face the whirlwind. "Nudity is a symbol of our vulnerability without safeguards," he said.

Doctors posed in their offices, hiding behind files, toilet paper, medical equipment and prescription blocks.

Christian Rechtenaald, also a general practitioner, said the group was inspired by the actions of French physician Alain Colombie, who was photographed nude at his clinic after describing himself and colleagues as "meat for the ball" in the fight against pandemics.

Jana Husemann, another general practitioner, said: "Of course we want to keep working and treating patients." But for that, he needs masks, gloves and protective suits, she said.

A doctor said she was once trained to sew wounds, but is now forced to sew her mask.

German doctors have been regularly looking for protective suits and masks since January, when the coronavirus struck Germany.

German clothing companies have increased production capacity but failed to meet demand.

Doctors have reported the theft of disinfectants and masks from hospitals, which police have attributed to criminal gangs.

Source: The Guardian