People living in Saudi Arabia have been buying face masks in enormous numbers due to their fear of catching coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Arab News reported.
According to Dr. Bandar Al-Amri, infectious diseases consultant at East Jeddah General Hospital, many people have “unjustifiably” bought surgical face masks as their precautionary measure against the disease.
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In an interview with Arab News, the consultant urged residents not to panic buy as it will affect health practitioners, who need face masks the most. He also noted that wearing face masks and surgical gloves are not yet proven to help prevent the spread of the disease.
“They are for in-hospital health practitioners when providing medical care to isolated patients, home-quarantined patients, and their health care providers. Masks may also transmit infection if medical precautions regarding how to wear, remove or dispense of them are not properly observed,” Arab News quoted Al-Amri as saying.
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Al-Amri added that the state of panic is not justified especially as experts are assuring the public that face masks are not necessary in this pandemic, noting that washing hands and proper hygiene are still the best defense against the disease.
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