Panic and pollution are driving a surging market for protective face masks in Asia, where fear of the virus from China is straining supplies and normalizing mask-wearing. In some parts of Asia, wearing of surgical masks has become mandatory, for now.
Boat passengers on a jetty wear face masks in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 to protect themselves from new virus infection. Panic and pollution drive the market for protective face masks, so business is booming in Asia, where fear of the coronavirus from China is straining supplies and helping make mask-wearing the new normal.
Factories are rushing to boost production as the number of infections and deaths from the new virus first found in the central Chinese city of Wuhan climbs. In some parts of Asia, wearing of surgical masks has become mandatory, for now. “Now we are out of disinfectant gel for hands. The maker just sent just new lots this morning and by noon we were sold out,” she said. “People keep coming and asking for these products.”
“In China, masks are very expensive,” she said, adding that one little pack of masks costs more than 100 yuan . “They are cheaper here and easier to buy.” Sales of soap, hand sanitizers and mouthwash more than doubled, said CU’s parent company, BGF Retail. Overall, though, there were no immediate signs of major shortages in South Korea, which has reported four cases of the illness.
Everyday use of surgical masks, once mainly confined to Japan and parts of China affected by major dust storms or smog, has expanded in recent years, largely in response to worsening air pollution. In the Philippines, which so far has reported no cases of the virus, the recent eruptions of the Taal volcano have prompted many to wear masks to protect against ash.
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