A local health department advisory mandating the wearing of facemasks among its employees due to the mpox threat has triggered a panic-buying spree among residents here, who fear a repeat of the Covid-19 epidemic in 2020.
Councilor George Goking, chair of the Cagayan de Oro Committee on Trade and Commerce, said Cagayan de Oro residents went on panic-buying for supplies of facemasks and bottles of alcohol after the City Health Department issued a memo implementing the mandatory use of all its medical personnel on May 26.
“In line with the newly reported case of MPOX outside the region and as part of the prevention of any possible spread of diseases in the city, you are hereby directed to adhere to the Minimum Public Health Standards particularly mandatory wearing of facemask in your workplace at all times,” the memorandum signed by City Health Officer Rachel Daba-Dilla said.
Dilla ordered the implementation “immediately” and the signs “No Facemask No Entry” posted on the City Health premises and various health centers in the city.
The City Health Office and Department of Health Region 10 have yet to announce an mpox case in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental.
Goking said the City Health Office memo triggered hysteria instead of calming the residents who feared that there would be a repeat of what happened in the city during the Covid-19 pandemic where stores and supermarkets ran out of facemasks and bottles of alcohol.
“I saw a person bought seven boxes of facemasks and bottles of alcohol from a shopping mall. If these go on, the supplies will run out and panic comes next,” Goking said.
Gold Star Daily sought clarification from the Department of Health regional office but was told first to fill up a request form for an interview.
The World Health Organization said mpox formerly the monkeypox virus carries symptoms of skin rash and can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person through close, prolonged contact including kissing, cuddling, or sex.
Mindanao is facing rising cases of mpox with more than a dozen cases in three of its regions.
Goking said he advised government agencies to meet together and address the shortage of facemasks and alcohol just like they did during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have to watch the prices and the supplies before it is too late,” Goking said.
