By Park Si-soo
In many drugstores, fine dust masks are sold out, as people scramble to avoid contracting Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
As the demand far exceeds the supply, customers are often searching for shops that sell them. .
Online shopping malls have also seen a sharp sales increase of dust filter masks and other goods that are believed to be helpful in preventing MERS for which no cure or vaccine has yet been developed.
Social commerce website WeMakePrice said its mask sales between May 20 and June 1 jumped 415 percent year-on-year.
One difference this time is that unlike the past outbreaks of infectious diseases during which people looked for “ordinary” fine filter masks, the current demand is largely for “ultra high performance” models which experts say are suitable for extremely dusty or contaminated environments.
The N95 mask is one of the best-selling models. It has been proven to be able to filter out 95 percent of dust and pollutants in the air, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
Doctors and nurses at hospitals with confirmed MERS patients are working wearing the mask.
Health Minister Moon Hyung-pyo used it when he inspected quarantine facilities at Incheon International Airport, May 23.
N95 is normally distributed to medical staff working in areas with highly infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, meningococcus, SARS-CoV and avian influenza, according to the ministry.
Experts say N95 is helpful in significantly lowering the chances of inhaling the MERS virus, but its users could experience difficulty breathing, due to the particulate filtering system. Nevertheless, the demand for N95 continues to rise.
“No one is fully committed to protecting my health, but me,” said a 30-something woman walking wearing an N95 in downtown Seoul, Wednesday. “Although it’s uncomfortable to wear, I will wear it for a while.”
Health authorities claim wearing non-special dusk mask is enough to prevent infection.
“N95 is essential for medical staff working in hazardous areas. For ordinary citizens in affected areas, an ordinary mask is enough,” a health ministry official said. “Another important thing to prevent infection is washing hands and rinsing mouth frequently and avoiding being in crowded or germ-infested areas.” He advised those with respiratory problems to wear a mask.
KF—94 and KF-80 are among models recommended by the ministry. The two can filter out ultrafine yellow dust blown to Korea from China and Mongolia in April and May.