Teams to check hoarding, overpricing of masks

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 5

The Deputy Commissioner today constituted three teams under Sub-Divisional Magistrates for taking action against persons who will be found indulging in sale of face masks at higher prices or hoarding these.

The Drugs Controller-cum-Director Health Services, Chandigarh, informed the DC that N95 as well as three and two-ply masks were not covered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, but there is information that these were being either sold at higher prices or were unavailable.

The team shall conduct surprise visits or raids at medical stores, godowns and provision stores. The Director Health Services has been asked to set up a helpline (24×7) where the general public can provide information about illegal storage and hoarding of masks.

Amarjit Singh, president, Chemists’ Association of Chandigarh, said: “There is no question of hoarding of these commodities as these masks are sold immediately. On an average, a box of 50 masks is being sold daily. There has been an increase in the prices as manufacturers have increased their cost due to the increasing demand. Similarly, distributors have increased the prices. People are generally buying 10-15 masks and a half litre bottle of hand sanitiser in one purchase.”

“The two-layer mask is being sold at Rs 10-12 that was earlier sold at Rs 5. The N95 mask is unavailable in shops but is adequately available in hospitals,” said Singh.

Surgical masks not needed for everybody: PGI docs

To clear the air, doctors of the PGI have stated that masks are not necessarily required for ordinary residents. Dr Thakur explained that Covid fear and buying of masks by people who do not require it is creating their shortage in the market.

Dr Mukesh Kapila, medical professional and Professor of Global Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the University of Manchester, who was at the PGI today for a press conference, said: “There is a worldwide shortage of masks leading to their black-marketing, as people are hoarding these. This is creating a huge problem.”

Dr Kapila said: “Masks are only needed in a clinical setting where doctors and nurses are taking part in a clinical activity or are used by individuals there. If you have ordinary cold or cough, you can wear a mask. The ordinary masks will benefit you but not as much as N95 masks which are not easily available.”

“The last thing you want to tell people is that they should wear masks. The epidemic of fear and paranoia is causing more damage than the virus. If you are to choose between two interventions, mask wearing and hand washing, the latter is 90 per cent effective for stopping such transmission.”

Should I wear a mask to protect myself?

• Only wear a mask if you have Covid-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have infection.
• The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against Covid-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue and maintain a distance of at least 1 metre (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.

When to use a mask

• If you are healthy, you need to wear a mask only if you are taking care of a person with suspected Covid-19 infection.
• Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
• Masks are more effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand sanitisers or soap and water.

How to put on, take off and dispose of a mask

• Before touching the mask, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
• Take the mask and inspect it for tears or holes.
• Find out which side is the top side (where the metal strip is).
• Ensure the proper side of the mask faces outwards (the coloured side).
• Place the mask to your face. Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask so it moulds to the shape of your nose.
• Pull down the mask’s bottom so it covers your mouth and your chin.
• After use, take off the mask; remove the elastic loops from behind the ears while keeping the mask away from your face and clothes, to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces of the mask.
• Discard the mask in a closed bin immediately after use.
• Perform hand hygiene after touching or discarding the mask — Use alcohol-based hand rub or if visibly soiled, wash your hands with soap and water