Mumbai: But, masks are not selling yet, say pharmacists

People, a majority of whom are without masks, enjoy themselves at Marine Drive, on December 25. Pic/Ashish Raje

The global surge in Covid-19 cases has not sent Mumbaikars into panic mode yet, with chemists saying that there has not been much of a rise in demand for masks and sanitisers. The government has not announced any guidelines or curbs. Authorities have appealed to the public to wear masks at crowded and public places. However, a majority of the city's population is in wait-and-watch mode before picking up masks.

While the government is gearing up to update the health infrastructure to deal with a spike in cases in the coming days, only some citizens have started stocking up on essentials. "Keeping in mind the previous experiences, we bought masks and sanitisers early this time. Last time we had to run from pillar to post to buy masks. We have travel plans so we are being extra cautious," said Dhaval Shah, a resident of Andheri.

Only a few commuters can be seen wearing masks on the foot overbridge at Andheri station on Saturday. Pic/Satej Shinde

The majority, however, pointed at the low number of cases in the city for not stocking up on medicines and other Covid-related essentials. "Mumbai is not seeing a rise in cases yet. Besides, we have plenty of cloth masks and sanitisers at home. And even the government has not made masks mandatory. If cases start increasing, we can always buy it then," said Ashwini Maurya from Navi Mumbai.

When mid-day spoke with pharmacists and chemists, they said they have not witnessed a rise in demand for masks or sanitisers. Prasad Danave, president of Retail and Dispensing Chemist Association, said, "There is hardly a 10 per cent increase in the demand of masks, and that too for three-ply masks and not N-95 ones. Customers are also buying sanitisers for their children. There isn't any demand for other medicines or disinfectant spray."

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"The demand hasn't increased much. A few cognisant people have started to buy masks and sanitisers. But there is already enough stock, and suppliers are well aware of the situation so there won't be any shortage," said Jagannath Shinde, president of Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association.