N95 is the new buzzword in Kolkata. It's dominating streetside addas as the saviour against swine flu', and is the most frequently asked
question at medicine shop counters after Digene. But it's not available in Kolkata.
Months after the H1N1 virus struck India and nearly a week after Bengal had its first victim, the N95 mask is not to be found on the shelves of medicine shops or surgical and medical apparatus outlets in the city. A handful questionable ones were apparently sold on Thursday at four times the normal price.
Traders at Fancy and Chandni Markets tremendously resourceful at digging up cheap mobile phones and accessories have started selling "locally made N95", priced at
Rs 50, for anything between Rs 160 and Rs 400. The original ones, made in the US, are not available in the market.
Panic-struck Kolkatans are taking to the common surgical mask in spite of the fact that they are useless against the H1N1 virus. Shops ran out of stock of surgical masks as well, many selling them for double the price. There is a rising clamour for N95, without realizing that it is not effective in preventing the infection. Some shady dealers are trying to cash in on the paranoia.
"We were approached by some distributors with what they claimed to be N95 masks. We were not too sure and turned them down. We have requisitioned N95 masks from 3M, a US company. Hopefully the shipment will arrive in three days. The price of the mask should be around Rs 300," said Tanmoy Sarkar of H Mukherjee and Banerjee Surgicals, off College Street.
N95 masks not available' reads a poster pasted on the counter of R Lynch & Company private company Ltd on Central Avenue. "We had to put up this notice as we are flooded with enquires. In a day we get at least 200 customers asking for the masks. We do not want to stock up masks without being sure of the quality. After all, we cannot play with the health of people," said a staff.
Sadly, not everyone thinks the same way. A shopkeeper in central Kolkata was seen peddling N95 masks' to a rather desperate buyer whose brother was heading for Pune. "We have just two and the price of each is Rs 350. Take it or leave it,' the proprietor was heard saying. The buyer shelled out the money. "I have no choice. Pune has run out of N95 masks," he told TOI.
Kamal Dey, an employee of Nicco Corporation Limited, was on a wild goose chase for one of his seniors. "He is going to Mumbai with his family and wants 10 N95 masks. Where do I get them?" said Dey.
Two or three shops in College Street claimed to be selling N95 masks made by Wilson Respirator. The price tag is Rs 55-70. "But we are selling it for Rs 300 a piece because the suppliers have hiked the price," claimed Sushanta Dutta of Supreme Surgical & Scientific Stores.
question at medicine shop counters after Digene. But it's not available in Kolkata.
Months after the H1N1 virus struck India and nearly a week after Bengal had its first victim, the N95 mask is not to be found on the shelves of medicine shops or surgical and medical apparatus outlets in the city. A handful questionable ones were apparently sold on Thursday at four times the normal price.
Traders at Fancy and Chandni Markets tremendously resourceful at digging up cheap mobile phones and accessories have started selling "locally made N95", priced at
Rs 50, for anything between Rs 160 and Rs 400. The original ones, made in the US, are not available in the market.
Panic-struck Kolkatans are taking to the common surgical mask in spite of the fact that they are useless against the H1N1 virus. Shops ran out of stock of surgical masks as well, many selling them for double the price. There is a rising clamour for N95, without realizing that it is not effective in preventing the infection. Some shady dealers are trying to cash in on the paranoia.
"We were approached by some distributors with what they claimed to be N95 masks. We were not too sure and turned them down. We have requisitioned N95 masks from 3M, a US company. Hopefully the shipment will arrive in three days. The price of the mask should be around Rs 300," said Tanmoy Sarkar of H Mukherjee and Banerjee Surgicals, off College Street.
N95 masks not available' reads a poster pasted on the counter of R Lynch & Company private company Ltd on Central Avenue. "We had to put up this notice as we are flooded with enquires. In a day we get at least 200 customers asking for the masks. We do not want to stock up masks without being sure of the quality. After all, we cannot play with the health of people," said a staff.
Sadly, not everyone thinks the same way. A shopkeeper in central Kolkata was seen peddling N95 masks' to a rather desperate buyer whose brother was heading for Pune. "We have just two and the price of each is Rs 350. Take it or leave it,' the proprietor was heard saying. The buyer shelled out the money. "I have no choice. Pune has run out of N95 masks," he told TOI.
Kamal Dey, an employee of Nicco Corporation Limited, was on a wild goose chase for one of his seniors. "He is going to Mumbai with his family and wants 10 N95 masks. Where do I get them?" said Dey.
Two or three shops in College Street claimed to be selling N95 masks made by Wilson Respirator. The price tag is Rs 55-70. "But we are selling it for Rs 300 a piece because the suppliers have hiked the price," claimed Sushanta Dutta of Supreme Surgical & Scientific Stores.
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