Masks run out of stock

Most have made a beeline to the medical shops in the vicinity to ensure protective gear for their children. The result; masks sold like hot cakes and shops ran out of stocks by the end of the day. Emergency orders have been placed, particularly for the high quality imported variety. Out of 600 masks (ordinary, local make) that Siddhanth Medicals on Cambridge Road has sold ever since the H1N1 outbreak in India, 300 were sold on Monday alone.

These masks, green in colour, roughly cost Rs six a piece.  "I had also sold over 250 masks of the N-95 make, an imported one, white in colour which has three layers of protection in the last one month and ran out of stock for the last three days. Following persistent demand, I have placed orders for 60 pieces which will be delivered tomorrow," informed Sushil Kumar, the proprietor. The cost of the superior make is nearly Rs 300 but parents have been insisting only for this now, he added.   

Vimal, the proprietor of Marudhar Pharma, said the shop never stocked the imported variety. However, after having sold 100 green pieces and observing the demand for the imported one, he has placed orders for N-95 variety. "I still have stocks of the local make though it is selling very fast. A major fear psychosis is being created and parents are tensed up by this,” he said.