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Vancouver – located in British Columbia and home to one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse populations. A grueling 13-hour flight and a whole ocean separates this west coast city from Guangzhou.
Still, the effects of COVID-19 have snaked their way across 10220 kilometers into Vancouver. Aisles in pharmacies that were overfilled with soap, hand sanitizer, and masks are bare and desolate. Even masks for dust and sand are sold out.
The government has resorted to setting purchasing limits for masks, yet the masks still sell out within a few days and have exceedingly high prices.
Many large cities across the globe such as Los Angelas, San-Fransico, Taipei, Kowloon City, and New York City all face shortages of disease prevention material.
Bonny C., who recently arrived in Ho Chi Minh city remarked that “there are no masks to be found, even basic hand soaps are gone.”
Vancouver’s businesses have been tremendously affected too. A once-popular Cantonese restaurant that, a month prior had long lines and waiting times for over an hour is now only filling up about one-third of its capacity at lunch and dinner.
When asked about the decline in customers, one waiter responded, “We have lost almost 80 percent of our customers.”
This shortage around the globe may be due to panic buying. Even with only two confirmed cases of the virus in Vancouver, both of which are in quarantine, citizens are wearing masks even when playing sports.
Michael L., a Vancouver native, suggests that people should not be scared – there are only two cases without any increase in weeks. Instead, “people should be alert and wash their hands, as that is the most effective way to prevent transmission.”
The Beacon hopes you stay safe!
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