If the government had implemented that policy at the start of the crisis, rather than waiting until we're over halfway through the year to start doing it, then maybe the coronavirus death toll in the UK would have been lower by this point than it is now.  I doubt if they'll start giving face masks away for free - we'll no doubt be expected to buy our own, so don't be surprised if there's a sudden spike in the number of cases of sellers selling face masks on eBay at extortionate prices as a result.