As the number of people who lost their lives due to coronavirus rose in Iran, interest in the medical masks increased in the border city Van. While the number of the people wearing masks on the streets increased day by day, the prices of masks also increased correspondingly. While the price of disposable masks in the city increased from 2 TL to 5 TL, the price of filter and one-week masks increased from 10 TL to 20 TL. Filter stocks are almost depleted. Fikret Baransel, Chairman of the Board of Van-Bitlis-Hakkari Chamber of Pharmacists, drew attention to the importance of hygiene, not the mask.

 

Indicating that in the city where health institutions recommend avoiding close contact, crowded environments and washing hands frequently, Baransel stated that "The most important factor is contact. We should call off hugging, kissing each other and shaking hands for a while." 

 

WHAT'S MANDATORY IS HYGIENE, NOT MASKS

 

Noting that the use of a mask is not mandatory, Baransel draws attention to the uneasiness created by those who use it and said: "Wearing masks is just one of the precautions. But it creates unease in the society. WHat we need to do is to take measures. There is no confirmed case in Turkey right now. Masks are not mandatory but it is hygenic. There is no problem in wearing a mask. But we need to do what the health professionals say."

 

Reminding that the life of disposable medical masks is one day, Baransel said, "While pulling the mask used up and down, we definitely have to wash our hands. Hygiene is very important here. We should chose more professional masks like N95, N99. They can be used for a week, though this is not a confirmed information."

 

 

Referring to the increase in the price of the mask, Baransel continued: There ofcourse is a price problem with such a demanded product. We have to consider that in this created atmosphere of fear, no pharmacy has such a stock to be enough for everyone. Therefore the price rises."

 

MA / Barış Dönmez