A Department of Health (DOH) official asked the public to be judicious especially in the purchase of N95 face masks.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo, in a press conference on Friday afternoon, explained that these masks are really needed by health workers and those who are really ill.
“Huwag na po kayong makiagaw. Ang nangangailangan talaga yung mga nag-aalaga,” he said.
There has been a “panic buying” reported in the different parts of the country especially after the DOH announced the first confirmed 2019-nCoV case.
Long queues were reported in establishments selling medical supplies and even in pharmacies of people wanting to buy face masks.
In Bambang Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila, people had to wake up early and wait for the opening of medical stores to purchase face masks.
There’s also a similar scenario in Cebu City since Thursday afternoon.
However, as early as Thursday evening, some establishments are posting handwritten notices that there are no masks available for purchase.
There were some who would resort to buying masks being sold along sidewalks that are made of cloth.
Domingo warned that it cannot provide the protection that a surgical mask can give.
He explained that those types of masks can protect users from dust and not from infections.
Domingo also recommended pairing the wearing of face masks with hygienic practices.
DOH is coordinating with the suppliers to ensure that there are enough surgical masks to be sold, Domingo added.
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