Street vendors selling unhygienic face masks

Unhygienic face masks are on sale in the city without any check as the street vendors are making maximum money due to the situation prevailing in the wake of coronavirus.
In a survey conducted by the Business Recorder, it was found that even policemen were found purchasing these masks because the Police department has not provided them hygienic masks.
Street vendors are selling homemade masks on wooden sticks on roadsides. Because of no proper packing, these masks are not only full of dust but also contaminated due to repeated checking of material by the intended buyers. Demand is so high that one can see street vendors one after another on all major arteries in the city.
Some buyers pointed out they are preferring to buy homemade masks because of the price factor as the standard masks are being sold on exorbitant prices at medical stores. Again, there is no regulatory check on the price-hike of masks in the city. Some vendors were also found carrying face masks in their hands and offering their customers to check their quality with unclean hands.
According to healthcare practitioners, there are two types of masks recommended by them.
Talking to Business Recorder, Chief Executive Officer Mayo Hospital Dr Asad Aslam said the homemade masks maybe half as effective as surgical masks and up to 50 times less effective than N95 masks. He said homemade face can be used as a last resort, adding that caution should be exercised and preferably use them in combination with a face shield that covers the face and extends to chin or below.
Meanwhile, a few opportunist vendors have also come up with homemade sanitizers and selling these bottles in the area of Samanabad. They are operating in groups and offering small bottles of sanitizers to the commuters, particularly those in cars, on exorbitant prices. It is unfortunate that no regulatory authority is active to check these illegal activities becoming popular due to the rising fear of coronavirus. Also, there is no check on the activities of beggars and drug users.