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Virus-Preppers Buy Out All the Hand Sanitizer on the Upper West Side; Six Stores and Not a Bottle to be Found

March 1, 2020 | 8:40 AM
in NEWS
32

Local pharmacies can’t keep hand sanitizer on the shelves, because the minute they get a new order Upper West Siders swoop in to buy it. The spread of the novel coronavirus, known officially as COVID-19, has frightened people all over the world, and the Upper West Side is no exception.

“It seems one cannot buy hand sanitizer for love or money on NYC’s Upper West Side. Six stores and I couldn’t find even a little travel-size bottle of it,” wrote Gayton Gomez on Twitter on Saturday.

Purell and the like are important protections against the disease for people who can’t immediately get to a bathroom to wash their hands.

Claude Essimel, manager of Park West Pharmacy on Columbus between 82nd and 83rd, said they’ve been out of masks, Purell and all other hand sanitizers since Wednesday. He said that in general the virus is showing some of the limits of the drug store supply chain — people, he noted, probably don’t know where their medicines and products come from, and why there may be limits to those supplies.

Sherif Elthawy, the owner Joseph’s Pharmacy on 72nd between Broadway and West End Avenue, says he got some Purell on Friday but was completely sold out by Saturday. And he’s having trouble getting any more — nor can he get wipes or masks. “Distributors are gouging prices like crazy,” he said.

Other stores, including Ace on 90th and Columbus, are creating entire coronavirus sections. On Saturday, it appeared to mostly have Clorox wipes. No N95 masks were available, according to Teresa Pesek.

ACE Hardware on UWS Columbus Ave dedicated a section in their store for “anti-#coronavirus”, also a few older customers asked for the 3M N-95 masks, which are sold out. #COVIDー19 prevention is key, probably also a smart idea to have a prominent “anti-flu” section every season. pic.twitter.com/bd5vl0MD0n

— Teresa Pesek (@TeresaPesek) February 29, 2020

If you’ve found the secret stash of Purell, let us know in the comments. And don’t hoard it all please, your neighbors may need some!

Here are some basic precautions that you can take to try to avoid the disease, via the CDC:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
    • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
    • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to  others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
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cjc
cjc
3 years ago

Earlier in the week, we were running low on Purell as a normal matter (small children), and when I looked on Amazon to get some, the only available stock were from 3rd party resellers charging $90 for a carton. I did find some Walgreens brand hand sanitizer the next day, but these were the last few bottles.

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Carol
Carol
3 years ago
Reply to  cjc

I was shocked that Amazon was sold out, too!

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Joko
Joko
3 years ago

West side market on 98th had a few, small
Purell by check out. All the drug stores have lots of handi wipes which do the same thing as purell, so just use those instead. Staples.com has large hand sanitizers so you can just refill
The small ones.

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MA
MA
3 years ago

People really are freaking out. I feel vindicated for having taken advantage of the supply chain while it was still operational. I’ve purchased a gallon of hand sanitizer, multiple refillable squirt bottles for it, and a gallon of 99% isopropyl alcohol with spray bottles as a fallback for when the factory made hand sanitizer runs out. I plan to thin it with water until I can’t.

Yesterday at the Costco in Astoria sanitizing wipes were in short supply. A pallet of them was tucked away quietly in a far corner of the store. I’m proud to say that most of it is now in the trunk of my car. I won’t be buying sanitizing wipes for a while.

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EmmKay
EmmKay
3 years ago

Not ideal but Bath and Body works has some small hand sanitizers. staples still has some giant purel refills.

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RD
RD
3 years ago
Reply to  EmmKay

kind of stupid to stock on purell, or any hand sanitizer, as to kill virus, you need upwards of 90% alcohol content. Purell is 70% – aka useless for the corona (or even plain old flu…). FDA even warned purell to stop false advertising. But – media generated hysteria is the winner.

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Ted
Ted
3 years ago
Reply to  RD

@RD

You are incorrect. From the CDC website:

“CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water whenever possible because handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands. But if soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. The guidance for effective handwashing and use of hand sanitizer in community settings was developed based on data from a number of studies.”

Hand sanitizer is not a panacea. It is not effective against C. dif. spores for example but does not have to be 90% alcohol to be effective.

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Michael
Michael
3 years ago
Reply to  RD

Not to mention that high alcohol content is incredibly drying. Extended use causes the skin barrier to fail. This barrier is why you need to touch your face after touching a contaminated surface. If you destroy your skin barrier, there is no need to touch your face.

Washing your hands for 20 sec. is the best. Drying with paper (sorry environmentalists) is far superior to electric blowers.

Finally, and to your point, antibacterial soaps are ineffective. This has been proven repeatedly. The only difference between washing with or without antibacterial agents is the continued contamination of our water supply.

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Parker
Parker
3 years ago
Reply to  Michael

Lots of people don’t have consistent access to hand washing facilities during the course of their day. Hand sanitizers can play an important role in these types of situations.

There’s going to be a lot of people coming forward with their expert opinions on hygiene. Be circumspect, particularly when reading anonymous comment sections.

Follow CDC and NYC Health for best practices.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/coronavirus.page

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julie
julie
3 years ago

My neighbor bought a few antibacterial wipes at Zen Medica on West 72nd street yesterday. They have some left….but that was last night

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Jay
Jay
3 years ago

The joke is on these people hoarding this stuff. Purell won’t do a thing to prevent Coronavirus.

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SHG
SHG
3 years ago

As above: Wash your hands (soap, warm water, rub for 20 seconds (sing the happy birthday song) rinse. Don’t pick or wipe your nose without a tissue or rub your eyes. Don’t Panic. WASH YOUR HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS.😊

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ben
ben
3 years ago

Not a single confirmed case in the state of NY yet and the hysteria has already created a shortage. What’s next, WFM sold out of toilet paper?

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Dr. Sense
Dr. Sense
3 years ago

Wash your hands with soap and water. You don’t need Purell and stop buying and wearing face masks unless your sick. While your wearing your mask your unconsciously touching your face 1,000 times and putting any virus in your eyes and ears,

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Noemie
Noemie
3 years ago

Go to Bath & Body works on 125th st. You’re welcome 🙂

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Noemie Zysermann
Noemie Zysermann
3 years ago

Found 2 normal sized-bottles at Joseph’s pharmacy on W 72nd.

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Concerned About Cons
Concerned About Cons
3 years ago

Masks are available at Basics Plus for a mere $200 for 10!

And the label? Not warranteed for disease prevention.

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Reply
CFB
CFB
3 years ago

Buy a bottle of rubbing alcohol, a bottle of aloe vera gel, some tea tree oil/peppermint oil/cinnamon/whatever suits you although the tea tree oil is good for your skin and antibacterial.

2/3 alcohol, 1/3 aloe vera gel, 10-12 drops tea tree oil. Put in a squeeze or small spray bottle. Voila, you have inexpensive easy to make hand sanitizer that’s effective, good for your skin, and smells nice depending on the essential oil you add.

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LK
LK
3 years ago
Reply to  CFB

Rubbing alcohol is sold out.

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Reply
MB/UWSer
MB/UWSer
3 years ago
Reply to  LK

Truth? Or fear mongering?

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Reply
MB/UWSer
MB/UWSer
3 years ago
Reply to  CFB

WOW!! I like this!!

Have everyone of those ingredients – including a small spray bottle.

Thank you!! 🙂

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Jennifer
Jennifer
3 years ago

was in Queens today , all along Queens Blvd loads of purell and all supplies
masks could not be found but stores are getting stocked
tomorrow

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Reply
Nevets K
Nevets K
3 years ago
Reply to  Jennifer

Though I’m no expert, people may want to try using plastic bags as masks. Though they’re probably ineffective against the virus and may very likely cause suffocation, if you make it to a grocery store you’ll save a nickel and/or a lot of aggravation.
Remember to recycle!

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Gillian
Gillian
3 years ago

You can make your own hand sanitizer very easily and cheaply. See Google

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Reply
gail
gail
3 years ago

I read that Purell won’t kill viruses and that the company recently got into some trouble for making antiviral claims. I just found some Lysol antibacterial wipes at Duane Reade on Bway and 102 but I think they were the last ones. I work at a large museum with many international visitors and can’t run to the sink to wash my hands often so this is what I’ll be using for now. There are Clorox wipes and Lysol wipes still available on Amazon.

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NEF
NEF
3 years ago

Think: Soap and Water!
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-01-28/fda-warns-maker-of-purell-not-to-claim-sanitizers-prevent-flu-ebola
FDA Warns Maker of Purell Not to Claim Sanitizers Prevent Flu, Ebola
The letter stated that the company’s hand sanitizer products were unapproved new drugs and in violation of FDA rules.

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html
Show Me the Science of Hand Sanitizer

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Parker
Parker
3 years ago
Reply to  NEF

The science is right in the article itself. Did you read it?

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Jonathan Perkel
Jonathan Perkel
3 years ago

FYI, as of this weekend, there was a whole shelf of the stuff at Staples. Also FYI, the problem with Purell was that they made ad claims that weren’t supported by studies, not that it doesn’t work. It’s more of an advertising issue rather than an efficacy issue.

“While the FDA is “not aware of any hand sanitizers that have been tested against Ebola viruses,” Ebola, along with the flu, is an enveloped virus. These viruses are easily killed or inactivated by alcohol and the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using an alcohol-based sanitizer as a preventive measure. Purell hand sanitizers are formulated with ethyl alcohol.”

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nwande219
nwande219
3 years ago

People are clearing shelves of hand sanitizer and some are probably selling them on Ebay for 5 times (or more) the regular price. ONLINE SITES LIKE THESE NEED TO STOP ALLOWING THIS.

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Reply
AK
AK
3 years ago

Basics Plus on Broadway between 83rd and 84th has N95 masks but selling a box of 20 for $200!! It’s usually $20-40. It’s ridiculous!

It’s disgusting to see people gouging.

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Kevin Peters
Kevin Peters
3 years ago

I recently found out that hand sanitizers can actually expire. Basically if its past the expiry date, it starts to lose effectiveness. Stay safe everyone! https://www.groomjournal.com/does-hand-sanitizer-expire-what-happens-when-it-does/

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Pashtun
Pashtun
3 years ago

I have cases of 12, of purell advanced 8oz pump handsanitizer. Selling each bottle for $10 a pc.

0
Reply

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