Masks proving widely available despite coronavirus shortage concerns

Yeah, these are the ones that were showing up last week, but seem to be in even more locations now. I have a lot of suspicion for the sources of these masks, but at the end of the day I've gotta wear one if I want to go to a shop, or outside at all really.

I'm pretty certain they're making a decent profit on them, and it would be nice if the price goes back to normal soon, but for the time being, I'd prefer them being available from a 'grey' source at an inflated price, to them not being available at all.

Bought 2 packs containing 60 mask each at costco at 1160yen per pack last wednesday

The male manager of the gift coupon shop said that several vendors had approached him to sell him masks, including "brokers who seemed fishy."

I know things are far from normal in Japan now but I cannot help myself but laughed when I read it.

Despite having (from well before this pandemic) thousands of masks, I have never wished to sell them for a profit-they all get donated to family, friends and business contacts...

I was at costco two days ago and bought a pack of 30 disposable masks for 418 yen.

Has anyone got the two mask they sent out?

I got my two face masks from the ward office. I haven't open them because I plan to donate them to a non profit. A close acquaintance has been making cloth facemasks and providing me with some on a regular basis. I am probably good until the end of the year.

Today, I went out for this week's shopping in a different location from my place. All kinds of stores in the shotengai were selling masks. They also seem to be from the same maker. Most places near each other were selling 2-3 for about 800yen. Some of the shops further away were selling them for 750-780yen. It seems like somebody has a sweatshop in Japan and churning out these cloth masks.

Well that’s good to know, because this was definitely a big problem a few weeks ago. Also, since I live in the US, there’s definitely a lot more toilet paper in stock in grocery stores and stuff.

Now, my gut feelings were right, that once people calmed down, that these sorts of things would happen. It’s just nice to see them actually happening, so that way people who need these things, can get them without having to worry.

As far as I can tell masks started proliferating right after sharp started selling.

It might be that hoarders were reluctant to sell openly since the price gouging law came out but sharp selling at the price they do sort of set the standard.

Made In China

Has anyone got the two mask they sent out?

I gave mine away last week, and I know a guy who uses his masks as a guitar string cleaner.

Actually Japan didn't make up it's mind yet .it does not make any difference guys because sooner or later people will do their activities. we should be careful that's all.

that virus is staying for longer time with us !!

All this fuss over something that does very little (if anything) to protect the general public from the virus. It is recommended that only health care workers or infected people wear face masks. Distancing and personal hygiene are the only effective methods of preventing the spread of the virus in the general population.

Masks were always available, we should have never had a shortage. The problem started when some Amazon and other E Commerce Junkies started buying large quantities from wholesalers causing shortages and panic.

Yes, the made in China crap is available but not the good made in Japan or USA ones.

They were openly selling them in 3-3,500 yen boxes on the street in Yokohama Chinatown yesterday

"Under the initiative, Kowa made a contract for supplying masks worth 5.48 billion yen ($51 million) and Itochu got a 2.85 billion yen contract, while Matsuoka's contract is valued at 760 million yen, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, though the ministry declined to clarify how many masks each company will provide.""

What ever happened to these masks?? and this publice $$$?

A South Korean study showed that not only does SARS-CoV-2 pass through a regular mask, but that there was plenty of virus on the outside the mask and none on the inside. So as far as the virus is concerned it appears like the mask isn't there. N95 respirators were not tested. This would go a long way to explaining why we see spread in hospitals even when medical personnel have protective gear on. The virus molecules are just too small for masks to have an effect. It's nice that people wear masks as a sign of their care for public welfare, but it's actually not going to help anyone realistically.

as far as the virus is concerned it appears like the mask isn't there.

No accredit scientists are supporting your claim here.

The virus molecules are just too small for masks to have an effect.

No accredit scientists are supporting your claim here.

I haven't seen any masks for sale yet, but then I don't have any masks so I cannot go to the shops to look.

No masks in drugstores in 江戸川区 but can buy them for 3500円 the box of 50 or 3000円 if you buy a 弁当...

Didn’t receive Abe’s masks either. I don’t know anyone around here who got them.

Other co-workers in 港区 seems to have received them around 2 weeks ago...

Masks secured by the government are distributed first to hospitals and other places that need them most, whatever part of it that makes it to drugstores are quickly snapped up by those who frequent the stores

The dubiousness of these imported face masks is not mentioned in the article, but has been mentioned on other news sites. Let me just say this... a face mask made overseas right now IS NOT going near my face. We do not know if these masks are contaminated, used or even if they are effective. There are reports of them being too thin, made of the wrong material, rip easily, are dirty, etc...

Instead our family will keep doing physical distancing. I do the shopping and am careful not to bring the virus into myself or into our house.

A South Korean study showed that not only does SARS-CoV-2 pass through a regular mask, but that there was plenty of virus on the outside the mask and none on the inside.

Maybe you should try again? If the virus can pass through there should be virus on the inside as well

One thing about Masks, when you wear one, you can still smell the odor off other people.... So one has to wonder...

I think however, being seen to wear one, acts as a reassurance for others, that should you be afflicted with an illness and cough, then the mask will catch whatever comes from your mouth and limit its transference.... which is a courteous thing, typical of Japan.

@Northernlife

The government has put a gag order on the media in regards to the mask debacle

There is something very fishy about that 4th company. Also it is interesting that the news stopped showing Abe wearing that childish mask... even when he is surrounded by mask wearing people.

I think however, being seen to wear one, acts as a reassurance for others, that should you be afflicted with an illness and cough, then the mask will catch whatever comes from your mouth and limit its transference.... which is a courteous thing, typical of Japan.

That's precisely the reason why wearing masks is recommended now. Masks' ability to protect the wearer from airborne contagions is questionable at best but if everyone is wearing masks contagions will be prevented from being airborne in the first place.