Mask sales surge in Bengaluru amid HMPV concerns

The growing concerns about the virus have been particularly evident in educational institutions and public spaces
| Photo Credit: IDREES MOHAMMED

The recent increase in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases has led to a noticeable surge in masks sales in the city, with medical stores reporting around 50% rise in demand compared to last month. 

Store owners attribute the surge in mask usage to heightened awareness about HMPV, coupled with a lingering caution from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is despite doctors allaying fears about HMPV.

Concern over children

“I mainly see women coming with their children to buy masks as they don’t trust the environment in schools. There has been almost a 50-60% increase in demand for masks this month compared to last month. Around 60-70 packets are sold every day, and we had to order new stock as well. We order around 200 packets every week,” said Niam Ahmed, store manager at Dawa Dost, Shivaji Nagar.

At Lion Airport City Medical in Marathahalli, store manager V. Prakash revealed that 25-30 mask packets are sold daily, including at least two N95 packets. He says this is 50% more than last month. “Most of our customers are aged between 25-60 years. Normal masks are priced at ₹5 each, while N95 masks are priced at 50 rupees, said Prakash.

While surgical masks are sold at ₹10 per piece, N95 masks are priced ₹50-80 each.

Increasing concerns

The growing concerns about the virus have been particularly evident in educational institutions and public spaces. Several schools advised using masks and issued advisories to parents, recommending that students showing symptoms of cough or cold should remain at home.

“Students are advised to (1) be retained at home if they display any signs of illness, which includes running nose, cough, etc (2) should wear a mask if they have had exposure to any person/s who have displayed symptoms of illness. We should like each family to be responsible for preventing the rampant spread of HMPV,” read a mail from the principal at a school in Whitefield.

As caution

In colleges too, masks seem to be regaining popularity. Ishani Gambhir, a student at Christ University, shared, “I don’t leave home without a mask, especially in the metro. It’s better to be cautious.”

WhatsApp groups of apartment residents, meanwhile, have become active in discussions around the virus and concerns regarding health of children. While some residents expressed hesitation to send their children to play without wearing masks, others shared how they restarted wearing masks to office since last week.