Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Jill Sperling

COVID-19

Kamloops stores run out of hand sanitizer, masks amid growing coronavirus concern

Mar 2, 2020 | 4:43 PM

KAMLOOPS — With nearly 89,000 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) globally, containment is a top priority for healthcare professionals.

People around the world are taking measures to protect themselves against coronavirus by wearing masks, washing their hands and staying home.

In B.C. there have been eight confirmed cases of the illness and residents are preparing for an even larger outbreak.

Missagh Manshadi, the owner of Manshadi Pharmacy, says concern has been growing in Kamloops.

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“Maybe a couple months ago, actually, a month and a half ago, we started to see a lot of people asking for face masks and hand sanitizers, those are the two big items that people are asking for,” he said.

Hand sanitizer has been out of stock at Manshadi Pharmacy for about a month and unavailable from the wholesaler.

“We don’t even have it for our own staff actually,” Manshadi said.

Other stores and pharmacies across the city have confirmed that they are also out of hand sanitizer and masks.

There are, however, other ways to protect yourself against coronavirus.

“One of the things that I really like to emphasize and everybody perhaps knows about it, 20 seconds of hand-washing, not two seconds, 20 seconds,” Manshadi said. “Still there are wipes, like sanitizer wipes, having it in your car, in your house.”

The BC Centre for Disease Control states the risk for spread in this province is low.

Manshadi doesn’t think Kamloops residents need to panic, but he does think they should be prepared.

“You should have a plan of action,” Manshadi said, “I don’t think we should be saying everything is OK, I have a plan of action for my pharmacy what is going to happen if this hits to the city.”

Manshadi says people should ensure they have enough supplies, like medications and other necessities, in case of a quarantine.