<p> <br />But experts say, it is not required for everyone to wear a mask. Many doctors have been complaining that masks are not available now for the medical staff.<br /><br />CEO of Wockhardt Hospital Dr Lloyd Nazareth says that since H1N1 Influenza has cast its spell, the masks have disappeared from medical stores. <br /><br />“I don't understand why people walking on the road should wear masks, it is meant only for the medical staff and infected patients,” he said.<br /><br />According to a doctor from RGICD, the price of triple layered masks (green and blue masks) was just Rs. 2 or 3, cost of N95 mask was just Rs 150. But now the triple layered is sold at Rs 20 or 30 and N95 is sold at Rs 500 to 600.<br /><br />Santosh, a chemist shop owner says that the suppliers are selling masks at a very high rate. “We are just making a marginal profit out of the supplies given to us,” he said.<br />Ideally, masks are meant only for person suffering from flu like symptoms and the medical staff. <br /><br />Head of Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospital Dr Purnima Parthasarathy said, “If a child is ill and is suffering from H1N1 Influenza, then the mother ideally should wear a mask while taking care of the child.”<br /><br />She further added that, virus will be present in droplets, if any infected person sneezing or coughs without closing his/her mouth in a crowded place, there are chances of that person infecting others. <br /><br />“Wearing a mask when you are in a highly ventilated areas is definitely not required,” she said.</p>
<p> <br />But experts say, it is not required for everyone to wear a mask. Many doctors have been complaining that masks are not available now for the medical staff.<br /><br />CEO of Wockhardt Hospital Dr Lloyd Nazareth says that since H1N1 Influenza has cast its spell, the masks have disappeared from medical stores. <br /><br />“I don't understand why people walking on the road should wear masks, it is meant only for the medical staff and infected patients,” he said.<br /><br />According to a doctor from RGICD, the price of triple layered masks (green and blue masks) was just Rs. 2 or 3, cost of N95 mask was just Rs 150. But now the triple layered is sold at Rs 20 or 30 and N95 is sold at Rs 500 to 600.<br /><br />Santosh, a chemist shop owner says that the suppliers are selling masks at a very high rate. “We are just making a marginal profit out of the supplies given to us,” he said.<br />Ideally, masks are meant only for person suffering from flu like symptoms and the medical staff. <br /><br />Head of Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospital Dr Purnima Parthasarathy said, “If a child is ill and is suffering from H1N1 Influenza, then the mother ideally should wear a mask while taking care of the child.”<br /><br />She further added that, virus will be present in droplets, if any infected person sneezing or coughs without closing his/her mouth in a crowded place, there are chances of that person infecting others. <br /><br />“Wearing a mask when you are in a highly ventilated areas is definitely not required,” she said.</p>
