Buzz
Surge in demand for face masks and antibacterial soap
The emergence of community transmission cases without clear sources has triggered a series of nationwide Covid-19 prevention measures, and the public has gained experience in preventing virus transmission. Consequently, products related to infection prevention are now in high demand.
According to data from Mytour, after a 2-month lull, searches related to face masks, antibacterial water, hand sanitizer,... have spiked again since July 23. In just 5 days from July 23 to 27, the total search queries for face masks on Mytour exceeded 10,000, while those for antibacterial water, hand sanitizers,... were also significant.
Notably, '4-layer medical face masks' is a highly searched keyword. This may be due to the discovery of new virus strains from cases in Da Nang, which are believed to spread faster. Previously, the WHO also warned that the coronavirus could spread through the air, not just through droplets. This necessitates thicker face masks to minimize the risk of infection.
As demand rises, sellers have prepared in advance to ensure an adequate supply of epidemic prevention products for the public. This is reflected in the price history statistics on Mytour, where face masks and antibacterial solutions have not seen much price fluctuation as in March, and stock shortages are also minimal.
Online traders artificially create scarcity to increase face mask prices
A popular shopping channel for many consumers is ordering online through social media platforms, especially Facebook. In recent days, face masks have also become a hot commodity attracting a lot of user attention, and the frequency of advertisements for face mask sales in communities or trading groups is also high.
Although not as prominently advertised as during the outbreak in March, signs of face mask price increases are still quite common during this period, albeit more discreetly.
Messaging a familiar seller of medical face masks on Facebook, she quoted 160,000 dong per box of 50 pieces of 4-layer medical face masks, compared to only 120,000 dong a few days ago.
Another seller, specializing in antibacterial fabric masks from Japan, is reportedly out of stock. Just a few weeks ago (before the cases in Da Nang), the writer was able to purchase this box of face masks for 420,000 dong for 100 pieces.
Meanwhile, through direct surveys at pharmacies and major supermarkets in Hanoi, we observed that these vendors clearly display the selling prices of face masks and always have sufficient stock for buyers, with no stockouts. Due to prior preparation, essential items as well as epidemic prevention products are all stocked in large quantities by supermarkets to meet consumer demand.
Therefore, in our opinion, buyers should avoid purchasing from unfamiliar traders on social media platforms, as they may be expensive and the quality may be uncertain. Currently, reputable pharmacies, supermarkets, and e-commerce platforms all have ample supplies of face masks and antibacterial hand sanitizers for buyers, ensuring both quality and origin.
Besides wearing face masks in crowded areas and regularly sanitizing hands, people should also pay attention to the following issues:
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- Avoid touching your face before washing your hands
- Limit time spent in enclosed spaces or crowded areas (keep doors open for ventilation, or use air conditioning and electric fans to ventilate the space).
- Maintain a minimum distance of 1 meter
- Regularly clean and disinfect objects and surfaces frequently touched (such as door handles or phones)
Furthermore, to prepare for the possibility of new social distancing measures, in addition to essential items, you should also check household appliances and machinery such as laptops, TVs, refrigerators,... to ensure they are always functioning well and avoid any issues.
