As a chunk of the populace throng pharmacies to buy hand sanitizers as part of efforts to protect themselves from being infected with coronavirus, owners of some pharmacies have hiked up prices of the commodity – a development which has been frowned upon by Nana Aba Anamoah.
The renowned journalist argues that the decision to increase the prices astronomically is exploitative, and inhumane considering the fact that a collective effort is required in the quest to curb the pandemic.
“You’re opportunists,” she jabbed in a tweet, Sunday, while sharing a screenshot of a receipt from a pharmacy.
In the past few days, prices of hand sanitizers have skyrocketed following the announcement that Ghana has recorded first two cases. Public education has consequently been intensified in order to prevent others from being infected especially when the victims, according to officials, have been in the country for a week before testing positive.
Among other things, people have been urged to avoid shaking hands, wash their hands under running water and apply hand sanitizer. As they heed to the call, prices of the commodity has seen an increase by more than 200%.
According to Nana Aba Anamoah, it is repugnant for any pharmacy to capitalize on the development and exploit customers.
“Shame on all pharmacies increasing the price of hand sanitizers. If your neighbor can't afford it, the chance of infection is higher,” she scolded.
Meanwhile sports journalist Michael Oti Adjei has observed that some pharmacies are hoarding the product to maximize profit.
About coronavirus
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Newscaster Nana Aba Anamoah