Panic buying sparked by fear of virus
PANIC buying has stripped Cairns chemists of face masks, and hand sanitisers are next on the precious commodities list.
With Queensland last night confirming the state’s first case of coronavirus at a Gold Coast hospital, chemists across Cairns are recording a rush to snap up items believed to ward off the mysterious pathogen.
Chemist at Woree’s Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy Kwun On said he had received 5-6 calls each day asking about face masks.
“Obviously it’s about the virus,” Mr Kwun said.
“I have been here for 18 months and have never been asked about face masks before.”
He said concern was mounting among the general public as stocks run dry.
“They are sounding a little bit worried,” Mr Kwun said.
“They have said that they have tried a lot of pharmacists.
“Almost all of Australia is out of masks because we use the same supplier; the supplier has run out.”
At least one instance of hoarding cleaned up 50 of the $8 masks in one swoop.
“I would prefer to limit the amount one person could buy,” Mr Kwun said.
“We have put orders in but they can’t tell us when they will arrive.”
In a stroke of good fortune, the Federal Government announced it would distribute one million masks to GPs after stocks had been depleted by the bushfire response.
The N95 masks are effective against 95 per cent of small particles.
Infectious disease expert at James Cook University Dr Diana Rojas Alvarez said people it will go next,” Dr Alvarez said. In comparison, the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic had a BRN of 2-3. 2014 ebola: ....................... 1.5-2.5 SARS: ...................................... 2-5 HIV: ......................................... 2-5 Mumps: .................................. 4-7 Diphtheria: ............................. 6-7 Measles: ............................... 12-18 should take the same precautions in the case of coronavirus as they would with a respiratory illness.
“People should clean their hands and cover their mouths and nose with tissues if coughing and sneezing,” Dr Alvarez said.
“Avoid people with cold and flu-like symptoms and if they can avoid travelling to China, even better.”
Australians trapped in the epicentre of China’s coronavirus will be evacuated and quarantined on Christmas Island.
“This will be done subject to working closely and with the authority and approval of the Chinese government,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.