Do Tacoma health facilities have enough face masks for coronavirus outbreak?
You might have heard about the shortage of medical masks for sale at pharmacies and elsewhere as fears of a coronavirus pandemic has taken off.
The paper-mask market is currently seeing a run up of prices, with reports of Amazon cracking down on price surges among third-party sellers on its own online site.
On Thursday, one case bundle of 100 masks was being advertised on Amazon for nearly $160.
For your own safety, the World Health Organization has videos on proper use and disposal.
The News Tribune reached out to Tacoma’s two local health systems on how they were braced for the illness and possible supply shortage of masks.
Marce Edwards, spokeswoman for MultiCare, told The News Tribune via email MultiCare “currently has adequate supplies of protective equipment including masks, gloves and gowns. We have been increasing our inventory over the last few months to prepare for the possibility of Covid-19 presence in our communities.”
That said, there’s been a shuffle in mask distribution at its facilities.
“We also have begun to conserve supplies, especially masks, to ensure we have enough to take care of our patients and employees. That means prioritizing distribution to patients with upper respiratory symptoms,” Edwards said. “We have removed the paper-mask dispensing stations from our public areas and will distribute masks as needed.”
As for a plan for how to handle incoming patients with suspected virus, she said: “We have processes for potential entry points and we have communicated via email, our intranet and through in-person conversations.”
Cary Evans, vice president for communications and government affairs for CHI Franciscan, told The News Tribune in an emailed statement that the health system was good on supplies for now and is following guidance from local and state authorities as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We manage infectious disease on a regular basis and adhere to policies in place for this purpose. We have the necessary supplies and are prepared to identify, isolate and treat any potential patient who seeks care in our facilities,” Evans said. “The safety of our patients, employees and physicians is our highest priority.”
Before you whip out your own wallet to stock up on $160 cases of masks, here’s what the CDC is advising on its website:
▪ ”CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including Covid-19.”
▪ ”Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of Covid-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).”
More information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
