Rama Mishra
Amid a coronavirus scare in Delhi-NCR, the doctors of Safdarjung Hospital have threatened to go on strike if masks are not provided to them.
As per the doctors’ association, the hospital has no stock of masks. Corona is a life taking virus and “we cannot put our lives in danger.”
The demand for surgical and N95 masks increased manifold in Delhi and its satellite towns. Some people have claimed that they are being sold at rates much higher than the actual cost.
People claimed surgical masks which usually sell for Rs 10 were being sold for Rs 40 or higher, and N95 masks which sell for around Rs 150 were being sold for up to Rs 500.
“They had run out of the recommended N95 masks so I had to buy the surgical mask,” Prince Tyagi, a senior manager at a private firm in Sector 62 of Noida said.
People also complained about shortage of hand sanitising gel in the market.
Gautam Buddh Nagar Chemists Association President Anoop Khanna said the demand shot up around 10 am after news of suspected coronavirus cases in Noida started doing rounds on news and social media.
“If a pharmacy sold 10-15 masks daily on an average, today the demand went up to 100. Several retailers went out of stock in Noida and Greater Noida, while wholesalers too had a tough time meeting the demand,” Khanna told.
He said there was a huge demand, especially for N95 masks, recommended by healthcare experts for prevention against viruses.
He added the demand for masks and panic among people due to the novel coronavirus is more than what was witnessed during peak air pollution around Diwali.
Two private schools in Noida were shut on Tuesday after the father of one of their students tested positive for the new coronavirus, while several people, including his family members, were quarantined.
The district health department sent samples of six people including three children and three adults for coronavirus test. Reports are awaited.
(Note: We have received the video from our source at Safdarjung Hospital who wants to remain anonymous)
