Citizens brace for the flu

Citizens have began stock piling as they prepare for the threat of the swine flu pandemic and sales for preventative items are on hot demand. And if you were expecting to purchase a bottle of hand sanitizer or antiviral wipes, masks or gloves… you are out of luck. Supermarkets and stores around Belize City are out of stock. Since Tuesday there has been a steep increase in the sale of these items. News Five checked with Brodies Supermarket downtown and found that the shelves are empty.

Marco Villanueva, Assistant Manager, Brodies, Albert St. Supermarket
“All hand sanitizers—antibacterial hand sanitizers have been sold out. We’ve also seen increase in antibacterial wipes, even alcohol—we have a gel alcohol, alcohol that’s gel, people are buying that also. We’ve also had a few masks and gloves and those have already been sold out also. Anything that is antibacterial people are pickup up right now.”

Duane Moody
“Is this for both your stores here at Albert Street and the Northern Highway?”

Marco Villanueva
“I believe the Northern Highway are also sold out because we called this morning and they don’t have. We’re trying to locate for our store the antibacterial hand sanitizers, noh.”

Duane Moody
“What are you guys going to do in case—because it’s in demand. What are you guys going to do to facilitate this?”’

Marco Villanueva
“Well, I know we have already placed an international order with our international company to bring in some more hand sanitizers or we’re trying to find some of the local market right now to help with the ease of the demand.”

Duane Moody
“When are those orders expected to come in?”

Marco Villanueva
“Those will take a little while to come in.”