By Jamie Jablonowski
It’s a sign of anxious times. As the novel coronavirus – and the illness it causes, COVID-19 – spreads in the United States, some local pharmacies report face masks and hand sanitizer are flying off the shelves.
Without a vaccine currently available, local residents are seeking to have something – anything – on hand to protect against the threat of the illness.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 80 cases of novel coronavirus in the United States across 13 states, including 16 cases resulting from person-to-person spread and 40 cases under investigation. There have been a total of 11 deaths reported in the media as of Wednesday afternoon, 10 in Washington and one in California. No cases of COVID-19 have been reported in New Jersey as of press time. On Tuesday, the World Health Organization warned officials the virus could be more deadly than the flu, with a mortality rate of 3.4 percent.
“Customers come in asking for masks all day long,” said Dave Samuels, a pharmacist at Rumson Pharmacy on West River Road. The drugstore has been unable to restock its supply for about a month, he said.
The CDC is not advising face masks for healthy people unless they are recommended by a health care professional. It advises face masks should only be worn by health care workers and individuals who have COVID-19 or individuals taking care of someone infected with the virus.
Surgical masks do not provide a tight seal around the nose and mouth, allowing for the potential inhalation of respiratory droplets that can make a person sick, according to the CDC. While N95 respirators provide higher protection, they must be fit-tested to ensure the masks fit properly, especially if a person wearing one has a beard.
Even though the CDC does not advise wearing a surgical mask, Daniel Leng, a pharmacist at Little Silver Family Pharmacy noted that demand surged following the CDC’s announcement last week urging the public to prepare.
“There was an initial surge when the virus first hit and then it died down a little bit. It surged back up again after the CDC came out with the report that we should get ready,” said Leng.
The pharmacy was able to find masks through its wholesalers. “We were able to stock 20 boxes of 10 each, and they sold out within a day,” Leng said. “The pharmacy has a waiting list, but the demand became so high they stopped taking names. The pharmacy has been out of masks for two to three weeks. “We’ve been getting 10-15 calls a day asking for masks.”
Hand sanitizer and antimicrobial wipes are both out of stock, said Mike Salerno, who orders supplies at Little Silver Pharmacy. “Hand sanitizer is back ordered until the end of March,” he said. He added that the customers most concerned were mothers and individuals planning travel.
Waleska Jorge, a pharmacy technician and Jennifer Gonzalez, a pharmacy clerk, stood in front of the counter at Shrewsbury Avenue Pharmacy where they field daily requests for face masks and hand sanitizer. Photo by Jamie Jablonowski
At Shrewsbury Avenue Pharmacy, a few travel-sized bottles of hand sanitizer were available early in the week, but sold out quickly. Jennifer Gonzalez, a pharmacy clerk, said a middle-school-aged girl came in asking for masks, stating she had been to multiple pharmacies in the area without luck. When Gonzalez informed her they were also out of stock, she returned with her mother and purchased the remaining hand sanitizer in the store.
While hand sanitizer is selling out, regular soap is still readily available and is preferred for handwashing by the CDC. (See article about handwashing in the Health section, page 22.) Hand sanitizer is recommended only when regular soap and water are not available.
Some customers are nervous about being able to obtain chronic medications in the future. “People are worried about their drugs being on back order. If the generic drug is made in China then there’s a chance there will be a supply issue. We haven’t noticed anything yet, but that’s always a possibility,” said Leng. He added that customers are willing to pay out-of-pocket for an early supply and that he receives this request at least once per day.
Anthony Yacullo, a pharmacist for 25 years who currently works at Red Bank Family Pharmacy said, “ I saw something like this when SARS was in the papers.” He explained that the lack of definitive information around COVID-19, how it spreads, and what will happen next adds to the growing fear and desire for protective supplies.
Shelves at Red Bank Family Pharmacy, usually stocked with face masks, are empty. Pharmacies report they are unable to replenish supplies.
“Our domain is explaining side effects and educating the public in situations like this because we’re accessible and part of the community,” he said.
All pharmacists echoed CDC guidance to practice hand hygiene, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, avoid touching your face, stay home when sick and avoid contact with those who are ill.
The article originally appeared in the March 5-11, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
