I don't think they are currently available anywhere.
If you know of a location in-store and/or online please post.
Also please make a comment if you think/know they meet Australian standards or if you think/know they do not.
Shops with Masks in Stock: P2/N95, Surgical, and Other
bargain huntress on 07/02/2020 - 13:05
Comments
I'm gonna take a really really massive stab in the dark here and say…. wear them? I believe that's what you do with them.
But why do they need to wear them?
viruses
Nice quick edit there. Do you have corona virus?
yes i apologise - i was sarcastic in the first place and regretted it as i do not know if you are trolling, or avoid the news, or were genuinely asking what i needed them for in order to be helpful, or whatever
no i do not have the coronavirus
the masks would be intended to prevent me from catching it
there are also other viruses and bacterial infections i would use them for
@bargain huntress: Don't waste your time or money or add more to this I'll informed frenzy
Do face masks protect against the virus? Which face masks?
Face masks are not recommended for the general population.
People who have symptoms and might be infected with novel coronavirus are required to stay in isolation at home and should wear a surgical face mask when in the same room as another person and when seeking medical advice to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to anyone else.
Health care workers who are caring for patients with suspected novel coronavirus should use P2 masks to protect against the virus, but these must be fit tested and worn properly.
@Muzeeb: It doesn't explain why face masks for the general population isn't recommended.
Unless it's implying the general population should save these face masks for the health care workers who are more at risk due to higher chance of exposure.
I can't see how that'll alleviate the general population's concern though.
@bargain huntress: Regular washing of hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds or hand sanitiser use, would be far more effective in preventing the catching of any viruses including the flu, more so than any mask.
@UncleRico: That is the best current advice. Warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds especially after coughing and sneezing, going to the bathroom, before sitting down to eat any meals and during food preparation when handling raw foods.
Use hand sanitiser for any situations where you will be away from warm water and soap for extended periods. Carry it with you.
@Stone Monkey: No doubt that the advice to thoroughly wash hands and minimise hand to mouth contact is sound, but I'm a bit perplexed by those that seem to be mandating that washing is better than masking, even for those in close proximity to multiple possible carriers.
Surely the best advice would be to do both?
I've never worn a mask in my life, but I can understand entirely why anyone travelling, utilizing hospitals, catching mass transit or potentially coming in regular contact with inbound Chinese tourists would be sourcing masks. And washing their hands…
@UncleRico: The best advice is to do both but unfortunately the majority of people think that wearing masks negates them from needing to wash their hands thoroughly or use hand sanitiser. I guess wearing face masks for people is better than nothing at all including lack of basic hygiene practices.
@bargain huntress: You realise it can go in your eyes and infect you too? Are you going to be wearing goggles too?
the masks would be intended to prevent me from catching it
I thought the idea of people wearing masks was for people who have a virus and will stop it spreading to others. Not the other way around.
You are better off having rigid hand washing routines if you don't want coronavirus.
@bargain huntress: sounds more like purchasing to either resell or make a huge mark up profit on them more likely….
Cause the faeces is about to hit the rotating air agitator if China re-open the floodgates and send everyone back to work on Monday!
If it was the correct decision to extend Factory Shutdowns a week ago when there were (officially) 6000 cases, why is it suddenly OK to reopen factories when the case count is 22,000 extra (as of today, ~3000 cases being added daily to the official tally)?
The good news for Australia is that the virus doesn't like warm temps. Europe and North America are in real trouble though!
If you think this is not a high likelihood of Pandemic you're more stupid than the people walking around with facemasks.
Per my statement, Australia is at reasonably low risk due to the warm weather. But if I were travelling I would be seeking a mask to help minimise risk.
@ESEMCE: Interestingly this article https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/hot-climate-… implies air conditioning helped make SARS worse in Singapore, so warm climate might not be so great at protecting us from the Wuhan Flu
@petry why?
Because China, notoriously obsessed with both face and half assing everything, quarantined a city of millions and is building pest houses disguised as hospitals by the dozen for absolutely no reason at all, right?
Beat me to it…
To be frank, if you need them because you or someone in your immediate vicinity is potentially contagious, then you will have already have access to a ready supply.
If not, then please leave them for those who have a genuine need.
(As a reminder, the priority for masks in general are those who are actually unwell and contagious. It stops them from infecting others. As someone who doesn't work in direct proximity to the unwell, wearing masks is a wasted effort. Wash your hands, and make an effort to not touch your face. That's all you need to do.)
@bobbieb
To be frank, if you need them because you or someone in your immediate vicinity is potentially contagious, then you will have already have access to a ready supply.
from where?
We urge pharmacies with stocks of face masks to keep some masks in reserve for those cases where a patient presents with symptoms and a travel history that gives rise to concern that they may have contracted novel coronavirus.
Simply put, if you're told there's no stock, what they most likely mean is there's no stock for you.
Anyone that's going to be in tightly contained areas, perhaps say, an aeroplane or cruise ship? Just because you're not going to China doesn't mean that the person next to you hasn't been in contact with someone with the virus.
Why wouldn't you want precautions with so much uncertainty about the virus at this point?
stay at home in front of your computer spreading fear and anxiety like most talking about in all probability about a genetically engineered virus?
maybe talking about limiting the development of genetically engineered weaponry would be more useful.
stay at home in front of your computer spreading fear and anxiety … genetically engineered weaponry
Ahh, so your conspiracy theories are definitely not spreading fear and anxiety…
But, this does not change the facts. There's an outbreak. If you're going on holiday or work trip, why not spend a few bucks on a mask to filter 95% of the particles.
@rompastompa: cuz they don't work
your assertion that its a conspiracy theory fits with your climate change denial…
@rompastompa: please quote where you buy yours. thankyou
good for your smoke inhalation for the rest of your life I imagine…
@petry: OP wanted to know where to get them from, MS Paint asked why, I gave an example of why some one may want one for precautionary measures without having to be paranoid and masking up going to the their local supermarket or staying at home in front of your computer.
No conspiracy theories from me, or spreading fear and anxiety. Simply one reason why someone would want to purchase one in this climate.
@petry: Got a source where I said that? I think you might either have me mistaken for someone else or you're reading things that aren't there.
I'm not in position to definitively say whether they work or not against the coronavirus, so why would I comment saying so?
Given the limited supply, I wouldn't consider myself a priority.
Given that we're a couple of weeks into this saga, and there's yet to be an un-contained outbreak outside China the odds are on my side. I'd have to be seated very nearby to an infected person to be in their sneeze/cough/breath infection zone (generally considered to be about 6 feet - gravity is your friend.) Wash your hands, avoid touching your face - eyes/nose/mouth.
Besides, it's increasingly believed that 2019-nCoV can transmit by digestion, etc. so you'd also need to avoid eating, using the bathrooms, etc.
Given that we're a couple of weeks into this saga, and there's yet to be an un-contained outbreak outside China the odds are on my side.
61 people on a cruise ship probably thought the same.
Besides, it's increasingly believed that 2019-nCoV can transmit by digestion, etc. so you'd also need to avoid eating, using the bathrooms, etc.
Sure, there's still many unknowns. My point is, if you're going to be in a confined space with unknown travellers, then masking up might not be a bad idea (and possibly the reason for OP's post).
61 on a cruise ship probably thought the same.
Yeah, point taken.
Nonetheless, without being overly graphic, given that these cruise ships are huge, the main locales that transmission is likely to happen just happen to be the same places where good hygiene practices are gonna protect you.
If you cross paths with a contagious person and happen to touch a surface that they've contaminated and don't subsequently wash your hands and then touch your face, the mask isn't going to do anything for you.
Best advice that I can give people is learn how to wash your hands properly.
Dat Wuhan sniffles.
This is a good question. I am getting messages from Chinese contacts on Alibaba that I have not dealt with in years asking if I can supply them masks and gloves from my country. I am assuming they are wanting to sell them on for profit?
Maybe lets keep some in this country.. Just in case :P
@jayniner
terrifying
that's wholesalers in the country where they are almost (or entirely?) exclusively manufactured and shipped to here, trying to buy them back!?Maybe lets keep some in this country.. Just in case :P
yes please
Please stop smoking the small glass pipe.
What's the going pay rate for being a Chinese astroturfer? Or is this something you're doing for Pooh Bear out of love?
Got mine from bunnings but that was in December. Not sure if they still have them.
thank you
my local is out
Priceline Pharmacy Pinewood (in Mount Waverley, Victoria) had a shipment of P1 masks yesterday. I can't guarantee there's any more stock left, but feel free to call up.
However due to people complaining that this is OzBargain and not OzStockcheck I decided I wouldn't create a thread on it.
However I am happy to notify people here.
Note I am associated with Priceline.
maybe we should do what putin suggests?
What did Putin suggest?
suspending pharmacy licences that price hike during an hysterical outbreak of mass stupidity..
@petry: Yep.
I have no say in the prices, nor am I privy to the costs which I've been told is higher especially since they come from suppliers we had to deal with specially for this.
All our usual wholesalers have run out of any masks, and like my previous post have mentioned we've been trying to get supply of ANY sort of mask from ANY supplier.
And unfortunately we, just like you, are at their mercy as far as pricing goes.
Putin on the Ritz
Instant deport for any infected
@CMH thank you
@CMH my local pricelines are out
Yeah, we're out pretty soon after I posted that we had some.
Like I said in another thread, supply isn't from the main Priceline wholesaler anymore. They're from any wholesaler each individual Priceline can find who has stock.
As it's a global issue, it's going to be rough trying to get any masks for awhile.
@CMH
will an individual priceline ship to me if i phone in an order?all the ones people have been suggesting are not near me
@bargain huntress: Just an update.
Was just shown pricing from a wholesaler selling 3M N95 masks.
$25 a mask wholesale. Minimum quantities apply.
Not all wholesalers have gouged this bad, but just a fyi for those that think pharmacies are gouging the public.
Buy them and sell them to the Chinese at inflated prices?
I can assure you that the market is already there, based on the quantities people have been trying to buy.
I mean, if you came in asking for 100 masks you may have a large family and need that many as you should change them daily.
But if you want to buy a whole shipment of 5000 masks…. The only reason would be for resale.
typical yank idea - true blue red and white
Happened in Japan. Probably within a week of the virus. Masks are sold out here in a population of 126 million people, where wearing a mask is an everyday hygiene precaution, and people were wearing them anyway as its regular flu season.
On Mercari, the Japanese gumtree, people are selling masks for $60AUD a piece.
A piece? A box, you mean.
Yes you're right. A box of 7 for $50 from this article
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/03/business/japan-…
You can still get masks at literally any drug store or even don quijote for the normal price?
@tsunamisurfer please don't
Asking for a friend, if one could get a decent supply of this sort of mask, what sort of prices will people pay currently?
I've seen P2 masks selling for $19.95 each last week at some random store. I was told people were paying that much because they just weren't available anywhere else.
Supply is coming in trickling in, so supply I believe is less constrained so I would be surprised if people are still paying that much.
how much the n95 respirators -according to rompa they work?
P2 and N95 are the same.
As far as working, they work as specified.
But as you can see from other posters the benefit you may get as far as protecting yourself from this Coronavirus would be quite limited, as it has a few routes of transmission other than your respiratory system.
whatever fearful people will pay to be exploited. sad to see Australia doing nothing to help China - what goes around..
If they won't even wash their hands with soap then what do you expect us to do about it?
@brendanm are they australian standards compliant? there are cr*p ones.
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/268582/76917/mvimg_202…
Useless for people already infected with anything due to the valve, but good if you don't want to catch things I suppose.
is your friend going to be profiteering?
(and i am still looking to buy some)
@bargain huntress: He does like profit.
I'll check tomorrow and see if there are any boxes left where I get mine from for you.
@brendanm: Place where I get them is out of the pro choice p2s, which are reasonably priced, and the supplier has no more. They have the 3m P2 masks, but they are about $50+ for a pack of 10.
The virus was created by a coalition of face mask companies. Wake up sheeple.
But Corona bought the naming rights, on the basis that any publicity is good publicity. When it comes to beer, name recognition is a big thing.
… yeah, why you so smart?
As mentioned above - only infected people should wear them to stop the spread. It gets too confusing when non-sick people are wearing them too.
thank you
can you tell if they are compliant with australian standards?
The pro choice would be for sure, not so sure about the 2nd option, never heard of them.
it says the seller is on vacation
thanks anyway
Priceline in Watergardens has a whole boxful of them (P2/N95) bought 2 for my parents and they have a 5 per person limit. Hand sanitisers are mostly cleared out but they have a few left.
Bought 2 for elderly parents because hey, if (big IF) they do get sick, I'd be blaming myself - $20 for piece of mind isn't too bad. None for myself though, I have a much higher chance of catching something else sitting here in this open plan office w/ recirculated air…
thank you
Why do you need them?