By Uche Mbah
Chinese in Nigeria have been mopping up face mask and sending home for protection against Coronavirus, The Source can now report.
The disease, which is of epidemic proportions in China but has not been labeled pandemic by world Health Organization, WHO, has infected over 40,000 people and killed about one thousand people worldwide, had resulted in lockdown of the epicenter and the extension of the New year holiday by Chines authorities. This has resulted in shortage of face masks since the production factories are closed and South Korea is dependent on China for the importation of the face masks. Chines are now faced with sourcing for alternative.
The Source investigations show that the face masks that are usually hawked by the bus stops have literally disappeared from view. It was discovered that Chinese are buying them up from source to send home to their relatives.
A carton of such surgical face masks are usually sold at about ten thousand Naira. Last week, a carton sold for N45, 000. As at press time, the asking price per carton is N85, 000, according to investigations.
“The Chinese are buying everything”, this Magazine was told, “and the price has skyrocketed.”
Nigerians, particularly in Lagos and Abuja, use the face masks as antidotes to excessive dusts during harmatan. Okada riders were the greatest patronisers.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has said they have spent $10 billion in the fight against the scourge while accusing the US of unduly politicizing the epidermic. A Japanese Cruise ship was recently quarantined when there was suspicions that there may have been carriers of the viruson board . Currently, a US cruise ship is also under quarantine.
The minister of health has said that government has budgeted N620 million to monitor, detect and prevent the country from coronavirus attack and spread across the world from China to Nigeria..
While discussing with the senate on the preparedness of his ministry to manage coronavirus outbreak in the country, Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire said his ministry has submitted a memo, proposing the release of the said amount to take proactive measures to manage the virus.
