Germany: Pharmacists recommend hand washing to stop coronavirus

M/S Pharmacist Carolin Reibenspiess at the pharmacy at the main train station, Munich
C/U Bottles with hand disinfectants
SOT, Carolin Reibenspiess, pharmacist (German): "So we have an insane demand for the face masks, some of them have already been sold out and we have different companies that can deliver them from time to time. We have just received 100 pieces and I have to see for how long that amount will be enough. We also have a waiting list, but in general, the demand is very high."
M/S Reibenspiess shelving drugs *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Carolin Reibenspiess, pharmacist (German): "Since Saturday, the Asians have been asking a lot [for face masks]. Of course, since yesterday when the latest case has been confirmed or from the first case confirmed the face masks are also in high demand among the Germans as well. So it's fifty-fifty."
M/S Reibenspiess shelving drugs *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Carolin Reibenspiess, pharmacist (German): "The best, of course, are these FFP3 masks, which have a special filter in them that is supposed to stop the viruses. Then there are FFP1 and FFP2 masks and then there is a normal face mask."
M/S Drugs on shelves *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Carolin Reibenspiess, pharmacist (German): "My personal opinion is that… before you have nothing at all, but if you are worried [then get one]. As for me, I don't wear any masks."
M/S Drugs on shelves *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Carolin Reibenspiess, pharmacist (German): "I have to say we have been enquired by several companies about the nasal spray that might contain the virus. This is also another possibility that you simply use a nasal spray that might contain viruses, otherwise, I personally would not create such a stir now."
C/U Reibenspiess holding bottles with hand disinfectants *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Carolin Reibenspiess, pharmacist (German): "What is quite important right now is to disinfect your hands, to wash your hands more often in order not to bring any virus on your hands. So, disinfect your hands."
W/S Pharmacy at the main train station
W/S Pharmacy at the main train station
W/S Sign
W/S Pharmacy at the main train station
SCRIPT
A Munich pharmacy advised the general public to wash their hands frequently and use hand disinfectant as a simple precaution against coronavirus after the number of confirmed cases rose to four on Wednesday.
"What is quite important right now is to disinfect your hands, to wash your hands more often in order not to bring any virus on your hands," said pharmacist Carolin Reibenspiess in an interview.
She also stressed that the demand for face masks has skyrocketed since the first case was confirmed by the German Health Ministry on Monday. "Since Saturday the Asians have been asking a lot. Of course, since yesterday... the face masks are also in high demand among the Germans as well," she added.
The total number of coronavirus infection cases confirmed in Germany has risen to four, the German Health Ministry confirmed late on Tuesday, all of them are employees at the firm Webasto from Stockdorf, upper Bavaria.
Germany is the second European country after France to confirm its first case of coronavirus. The outbreak has killed 132 people in China and infected close to 6,000.
The new strain of coronavirus has spread from China to other countries, including the US, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, Nepal and France. Cases were also reported in Taiwan, Canada, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam.