Fear of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has markets worldwide freefalling, and its continuing spread has people here and abroad rattled. World trade and travel have slowed down, even banned in some places. This epidemic has also swayed public policy choices, and if there were still ample supply of surgical masks, more Filipinos would be buying them, despite their inflated prices and dubious utility.
Milan, Lombardy : Tourists wearing protective face masks take pictures on February 28, 2020 in the centre of Milan, after COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, spread to Italy. (AFP / Miguel MEDINA)