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How a Pharmacy Handles Mask Hoarders and Coronavirus Fears How a Pharmacy Handles Mask Hoarders and Coronavirus Fears
(about 16 hours later)
HONG KONG — “It’s like World War III,” said May Tang, an employee at the Kit Pharm Dispensary Ltd. in Hong Kong.HONG KONG — “It’s like World War III,” said May Tang, an employee at the Kit Pharm Dispensary Ltd. in Hong Kong.
As panic over the coronavirus outbreak has swept across the city, residents have taken to waiting in line for hours to buy face masks, disinfectant and even toilet paper from places like Kit Pharm in North Point.As panic over the coronavirus outbreak has swept across the city, residents have taken to waiting in line for hours to buy face masks, disinfectant and even toilet paper from places like Kit Pharm in North Point.
And Ms. Tang, a friendly woman with tinted hair, has witnessed the hysteria first hand.And Ms. Tang, a friendly woman with tinted hair, has witnessed the hysteria first hand.
“You could say we’re tired,” she said of the spreading outbreak and its consequences. “Not many people can experience so many things at once. It will be written down in history.”“You could say we’re tired,” she said of the spreading outbreak and its consequences. “Not many people can experience so many things at once. It will be written down in history.”
After enduring months of political unrest and a waning economy — and with the deadly SARS outbreak from 2003 still looming in people’s memory — jittery customers concerned about the spread of the coronavirus have started to hoard goods from pharmacies around town, leading to dwindling supplies and increased costs.After enduring months of political unrest and a waning economy — and with the deadly SARS outbreak from 2003 still looming in people’s memory — jittery customers concerned about the spread of the coronavirus have started to hoard goods from pharmacies around town, leading to dwindling supplies and increased costs.
Before the New Year, a box of 50 masks was 50 Hong Kong dollars, about $6.50. Now the price has doubled — if you can find masks at all.Before the New Year, a box of 50 masks was 50 Hong Kong dollars, about $6.50. Now the price has doubled — if you can find masks at all.
When Ms. Tang first noticed the growing demand, she said she tried to order high-quality masks from German and British suppliers. But with months to go before a potential shipment would arrive, the pharmacy has been forced to rely on whatever is available.When Ms. Tang first noticed the growing demand, she said she tried to order high-quality masks from German and British suppliers. But with months to go before a potential shipment would arrive, the pharmacy has been forced to rely on whatever is available.
Even she has had trouble getting her hands on masks, she said.Even she has had trouble getting her hands on masks, she said.
On a recent trip to Taiwan, she bought 200 masks for herself and her family. Her friends have flown to Korea and Japan just to hunt for more boxes.On a recent trip to Taiwan, she bought 200 masks for herself and her family. Her friends have flown to Korea and Japan just to hunt for more boxes.
“Every minute, it gets more expensive,” she said of the price increases she has seen online. “It’s too scary.”“Every minute, it gets more expensive,” she said of the price increases she has seen online. “It’s too scary.”
Unlike chain stores, Kit Pharm does not carry a large stock of goods, and what little it puts on the shelves now sells out in a matter of minutes, said Ms. Tang. The pharmacy, a small family-owned business, usually relies on prescription sales. Customers now seem to come in to buy things like bleach, disinfectant and hand sanitizer as frequently as they do to fill their prescriptions, Ms. Tang said.Unlike chain stores, Kit Pharm does not carry a large stock of goods, and what little it puts on the shelves now sells out in a matter of minutes, said Ms. Tang. The pharmacy, a small family-owned business, usually relies on prescription sales. Customers now seem to come in to buy things like bleach, disinfectant and hand sanitizer as frequently as they do to fill their prescriptions, Ms. Tang said.
Like many others in the city, Ms. Tang said she thinks the government should have acted sooner to contain the virus. “If they had done things earlier, Hong Kong would be in an even better place,” she said.Like many others in the city, Ms. Tang said she thinks the government should have acted sooner to contain the virus. “If they had done things earlier, Hong Kong would be in an even better place,” she said.
As of Tuesday, the virus has sickened 61 people and killed one man in Hong Kong. Protests have erupted outside quarantine sites and the government has closed most of its border crossings with mainland China.As of Tuesday, the virus has sickened 61 people and killed one man in Hong Kong. Protests have erupted outside quarantine sites and the government has closed most of its border crossings with mainland China.
Right now, Ms. Tang said, the entire city is alert, but she is hopeful the number of new coronavirus cases will fall. Winter this year has been warmer than usual and more people have been wearing masks, which she says is a good thing.Right now, Ms. Tang said, the entire city is alert, but she is hopeful the number of new coronavirus cases will fall. Winter this year has been warmer than usual and more people have been wearing masks, which she says is a good thing.
Updated July 7, 2020 Updated July 15, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
“Watching people die, it hurts our hearts,” she said. “I hope no more people are lost.”“Watching people die, it hurts our hearts,” she said. “I hope no more people are lost.”
For now, part of her job at Kit Pharm has become learning how to calm nervous customers desperately looking for more supplies.For now, part of her job at Kit Pharm has become learning how to calm nervous customers desperately looking for more supplies.
“We tell them, ‘Don’t be so anxious, just buy enough for you. Don’t hoard too much,’” she said. Pharmacists at Kit Pharm also encourage customers who get a fever or a cold to be tested for the virus. But not everyone listens, she said.“We tell them, ‘Don’t be so anxious, just buy enough for you. Don’t hoard too much,’” she said. Pharmacists at Kit Pharm also encourage customers who get a fever or a cold to be tested for the virus. But not everyone listens, she said.
Ms. Tang’s inevitable contact with people who are ill has started to worry her. It did not help when she learned that someone living in a building near her own, in Siu Sai Wan, had been infected by the virus.Ms. Tang’s inevitable contact with people who are ill has started to worry her. It did not help when she learned that someone living in a building near her own, in Siu Sai Wan, had been infected by the virus.
Her father, 89, who lives with her, barely leaves home these days, not even to play mahjong, she said.Her father, 89, who lives with her, barely leaves home these days, not even to play mahjong, she said.
After she returns home from work, Ms. Tang is careful to wash her hands and wipe down surfaces using disinfectant. “When I get home, I spray, spray spray,” she said.After she returns home from work, Ms. Tang is careful to wash her hands and wipe down surfaces using disinfectant. “When I get home, I spray, spray spray,” she said.
She used to take the bus to the pharmacy. “Now, I don’t dare,” she said. Instead, she brings her lunch so that she can afford to take a taxi.She used to take the bus to the pharmacy. “Now, I don’t dare,” she said. Instead, she brings her lunch so that she can afford to take a taxi.