Thread by @GwynethTeoCNA

Here's a thread about face mask stocks in Singapore. A lot of people are trying to get their hands on face masks - both surgical and N95. There are reports across Asia that face masks are totally sold out, some city-wide, some at national level. These are my observations. 1/14

It's hard to get face masks in Singapore too. Our editor @AngelaTengCNA shot video showing a snaking queue for face masks at Nex's NTUC FairPrice past 3pm yesterday. There were quips that it's longer than the one for the lottery next door, for once. 2/14

Jokes aside, the queue is because not many stores have face masks in stock. I checked out a few pharmacies myself yesterday (28 Jan), here are signs saying they were sold out. 3/14

At the same time, the ministerial taskforce is repeatedly insisting there are enough masks in our national stockpile. Last night, Senior Minister of State for Health Lam Pin Min posted photos of a warehouse he says contains said national stockpile. m.facebook.com/story.php?stor…
4/14

So, why are there no face masks in stores?
There's frustration. I overheard people venting, asking ministers to come down from their "ivory tower". It seems like they'd been trying multiple pharmacies; said "That's what they all say," when staff said stocks will come 'soon'. 5/14

The post by Dr Lam indicates some coordinated rationing of masks. Pharmacies Watsons, Guardian and NTUC-run Unity have imposed a quota on how many each customer can buy. In response to our queries, they committed to not raising prices during this period. (Pic @AngelaTengCNA) 6/14

On a side note, these were the prices at Guardian yesterday. $11.55 for a box of 50 surgical masks. A quick search on reseller Carousell shows boxes of 50 going for as high as $50 - more than 4x retail price. 7/14

There has not been community spread in Singapore yet. So health officials, practitioners have said there is no need to wear masks for now. Dr Lam's post reiterates this.

In any case, surgical masks will not protect you from the virus. Only N95 masks will. 8/14

The last number we have for N95 face masks is from PM Lee Hsien Loong during the 2013 haze crisis. At that point, there were 9 million N95 masks in our national stockpile.

Source: asiaone.com/print/News/Haz…

9/14

Given the haze recurs every year, it's not unreasonable to use this number as a gauge. But for the record, authorities have not released any numbers on how many masks there are in Sinagpore's national stockpile since the #WuhanCoronavirus situation began. 10/14

The same 2013 article indicates 1 million were released for community distribution to low-income households. 3 million were released for sale. Again, based on Singapore government's fondness for precedent, it's not unreasonable to expect something similar to happen.
11/14

Which is to say, if stocks are released and used up now, there may not be enough if and when the coronavirus spreads in Singapore - which is when we actually need them. While suppliers are manufacturing more, the demand is *global*. Entire countries want more masks. 12/14

When I have time, I'll talk about what type of face mask is useful, and who and when should use them, according to medical experts. But in short - now is not the time to wear masks, unless you are ill, sneezing and coughing. In that case, PLEASE wear a surgical mask. 13/14

Until then, stay healthy, wash your hands frequently, and don't buy overpriced face masks from opportunist resellers!
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