Face mask inquiries soar as pharmacies report stockouts

Raymond Jaravaza

A HARDWARE shop owner in the city centre says inquiries and demand for masks at his establishment have soared significantly despite a stagnant construction industry, as locals seek ways of staying safe from the coronavirus that is ravaging countries all over the world. 

Wearing masks, among a cocktail of precautions such as washing hands with soap regularly, is recommended by health officials in the fight against the virus that has so far killed thousands of people worldwide. 

As fears of the virus reaching Zimbabwe’s shores continue to grip the country, B-Metro took a snap survey on the availability of masks and hand sanitisers in the city centre. 

It would come as a surprise that the five pharmacies that were visited by the B-Metro news crew did not have masks in stock. 

One employee at a city centre pharmacy simply said: “We have never had masks in stock as far as I can remember and I have been working here for the last six years.” 

According to the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when used correctly, masks are highly effective in preventing the spread of viral infections such as sars (CoV-2) and coronavirus (Covid-19). 

Facemasks are fairly loosely fitting, disposable masks generally used as medical devices by doctors, dentists and nurses while treating patients.

The masks prevent large droplets of bodily fluids that may contain viruses from escaping via the nose and mouth. Facemasks also protect against splashes and sprays from others, such as those from sneezes and coughs.

Ideally the average mask can be bought from a local pharmacy.

But the situation obtaining in Bulawayo pharmacies is totally different. 

Another pharmacy employee said customers had been inquiring about masks in the last fortnight but she had to turn them away as the drug store did not have the commodity in stock. 

“We simply refer them to a hardware shop down the street. I don’t think we will be having the masks anytime soon but the demand for the masks is growing every day,” she said. 

At the hardware shop, the news crew was handed what the employee called an industrial mask, which he said is ideally used by painters and people working in dusty environments. 

The mask costs $25 each. A box with 50 masks goes for $1 100. 

He said it was cheaper to buy a box compared to singles for anyone that intends using the masks for a prolonged period of time.

“It’s not advised to use the mask repeatedly. Some people try to cut costs by washing the mask after use but there is the risk of damaging it thus exposing the user to dust and harmful air particles,” he said. 

Another form of mask recommended by health officials is a respirator, which is designed to protect the wearer from small particles in the air that may contain viruses.

Respirators are selected to fit the face and form a perfect seal that doesn’t allow gaps that let airborne viruses in. 

Healthcare workers use them to protect against airborne infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and anthrax.

The public has been advised to make good hygienic practices part of their daily lives. 

Simply washing hands with soaps or applying hand sanitisers are some of the basic recommendations that health officials are advising people to practise. 

“We are seeing a peak in demand for hand wash products, which are in the same category with soap and require that the user rinses their hands with running water. 

“But people must not confuse a hand wash product with a hand sanitiser because the other needs water to work effectively while a hand sanitiser kills bacteria and viruses by simply applying it after shaking hands with someone else,” said an employee at a leading retail shop. 

The products range from $90 to $110. 

Some businesses are supplying hand sanitising products for their employees and visitors alike as means of keeping safe working environments. 

The Government has banned large gatherings and advised members of the public to avoid unnecessary travel to reduce the risk of transmission of the coronavirus. 

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