GEORGE NEWS - If you are looking to buy protective face masks in preparation for Covid-19 (new coronavirus) or for use in the industrial and chemical manufacturing sector, you will not find a single one to be bought in George - or South Africa, it seems.
A few phone calls to pharmacies and retailers brought this to light. Every shop is completely sold out and they could not guarantee that they will have stock sometime soon. "It was like an explosion in sales," said pharmacist Marina Wessels at E Coetzee Pharmacy.
"As soon as we got stock in, it flew out. We have tried various wholesalers for various types of masks, but to no avail. We are also selling a lot of a very strong disinfectant."
Liz Steyn, head of safety gear at Margot Swiss, said it will be "futile" to try to find a mask to buy. "The whole country is out of stock. People are willing to buy any type of mask for the coronavirus and this is going to have a major effect on the industrial and chemical manufacturing industries. If the virus spreads to South Africa, I'm expecting the same surge in sales of disposable gloves and clothing."
The largest importer and supplier of personal protective equipment and clothing in Africa, Dromex, is also out of stock. Spokesperson Lyndall Farrer said all the major importers and suppliers are in the same boat.
Christine Francis, consultant: Infection Prevention and Control, WHO headquarters, explains on the WHO website how and when to use a mask.
"Countries overseas are stopping exports of items they might need for the coronavirus until further notice, so stock availability is unsure. We import safety items to ensure that they are manufactured according to the required international standards."
Dis-Chem regional manager Kevin Steyn said they have various suppliers locally and internationally. "We try to offer clients a choice of pack size. Lately, stock has been selling out as fast as we receive it.”
An enquiry to HSE Solutions in Johannesburg, suppliers of protective gear, revealed that they are out of stock of all types of masks and will also not be importing any more masks at this time.
Hospitals in George
Both George Hospital and Mediclinic George confirmed that they do not have a shortage of supply of surgical masks. They do not sell to the public. Nadia Ferreira, spokesperson for the George Hospital, said masks are not given out to the public but are used for staff and patients as prescribed in their treatment protocols for various diseases, including TB.
"We advocate the responsible use of masks. At present there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in South Africa. Although there are no vaccines or cure, transmission is reduced by washing hands often, avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with infected people, and covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing it away when used."
The Washington Post in the US reports that health officials "have begged" Americans to stop "panic-shopping" after sales of surgical masks there skyrocketed.
When to wear a mask
According to the WHO, one needs to wear a mask only if you have a cough, fever and difficulty breathing. Then you should put on the mask and seek medical care. If you do not have these symptoms, you do not have to wear a mask as there is no evidence that they protect people who are not sick.
Yet, they recommend that if you are healthy and are taking care of a person who may be infected with the new coronavirus, you should wear a mask whenever you are in the same room with that person.
View the WHO's information page on the correct use and effectiveness of masks with regard to Covid-19 here.
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