Pharmacies still have plenty of face masks

IPOH: There has been no rush to buy face masks at pharmacies here despite the haze shrouding parts of the country.

Pharmacy owner Michael Kok, 47, said sales of face masks had not picked up despite the poor air quality.

“There was a downpour the night before, so the air seems better now,” he said when met at his shop in Canning Garden.

Kok said there were enough face masks even if there were to be a sudden spike in demand.

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He believes that people still have a sufficient supply at home.

“I think a lot of people would have stocked up because of the Covid-19 pandemic. They would have some masks left,” he said.

At another pharmacy, a staff member who only wished to be known as Lau also said there were face masks aplenty.

“Since Covid-19 cases are seemingly not so prevalent now, people rarely buy face masks.

“We have plenty of stock, so there are no worries they will run out soon,” she said.

Furthermore, she said the air quality in Perak seemed fine and “not as bad as certain states”.

In PETALING JAYA, sales of face masks at pharmacies have gradually dwindled in recent months.

Pharmacist Aina Batrisya Zulkifli, 26, estimated that it had declined by 30% last month.

She said people should be encouraged to buy face masks to protect themselves against the haze.

“This is especially for vulnerable groups with low immunity like children and the elderly,” she added.

Pharmacist Lee Huan Yee said face mask sales in her store had dropped by 35% last month.

She encouraged adults to buy N95 masks while children should wear surgical masks if there was haze.

“It is better to limit children’s outdoor activities because surgical masks aren’t very effective against the haze,” she said.

Another pharmacy sales supervisor, who only wanted to be known as Indramalar, said most of her customers of late were people from the health sector such as doctors and nurses.

“Face masks are important in their field of work while others are comfortable going out without one,” she said.

Indramalar, 33, also estimated that face mask sales at her store had dropped by about 30% last month.

According to the Health Ministry, people are encouraged to wear a respirator rather than a surgical mask during the haze.

“Respirators (such as N95 masks) work better than surgical masks as they seal better and restrict more polluted air from entering the nose and mouth,” it posted on its website.

However, the ministry noted that N95 masks are not suitable for pregnant women, children or people with chronic lung or heart conditions.