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"Madness": Rush for free masks in pharmacies

2020-12-15T19:40:40.571Z


Long lines formed in front of pharmacies in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district on Tuesday. It was the first day the free FFP2 masks were given out. Actually only for risk groups. But control is hardly possible.


Long lines formed in front of pharmacies in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district on Tuesday.

It was the first day the free FFP2 masks were given out.

Actually only for risk groups.

But control is hardly possible.

District

- The Garmisch pedestrian zone on Tuesday morning: a few people are strolling, a few are shopping.

The GEP shopping center on Tuesday lunchtime: a few people are looking for Christmas presents, a few are at the supermarket checkout.

The pharmacies in Garmisch and Partenkirchen at the same time: long, very long queues in front of the entrances.

As if on the day before the lockdown - which doesn't even affect pharmacies - nothing cares about anything other than FFP2 masks.

A snapshot, of course.

But Verena Bockhorni also says: “Crazy.” And: “I feel sorry for my people.” The press spokeswoman for the pharmacists in the district and owner of the old pharmacy in the Garmisch district kept her colleagues and employees up to date.

She could not help herself, is sick - a cold, no Covid-19 - at home.

But she got numbers and pictures sent.

From queues in front of pharmacies as you don't know them.

In part, they were created because of the minimum clearances.

Partly because of the rush.

In the first two and a half hours, Bockhornis employees in the Alte Apotheke on Marienplatz supplied around 200 customers with FFP2 masks.

There were as many again in the Ludwigs pharmacy in Partenkirchen that Bockhorni will take over from her mother on January 1st.

Well, not everyone came in person.

Some took the masks away for family members or acquaintances.

"Otherwise that would be madness." It was already so.

Pharmacies distribute three FFP2 masks per person

Since yesterday, three pieces of the denser and therefore safer mouth and nose covers have been distributed free of charge to people over the age of 60 or those with a certain pre-existing illness.

To the so-called risk group.

And Bockhorni, who has set up a delivery service especially, understands why those affected don't wait a few days to pick them up.

Most people know: "When the masks are off, they are off."

How many a pharmacy gets depends on sales, which is why the 42-year-old does not give any specific figures for her houses.

The third quarter is used as the basis for calculation.

Every pharmacy submitted the prescription packs or medication that it had issued to customers with private or statutory insurance during this period.

The pharmacy receives 2.50 euros per pack.

From the total amount she bought the certified masks for six euros each.

There's nothing more.

Unless the entrepreneurs bear the costs themselves - which makes no economic sense.

Especially since the prices are already rising massively, in some cases they are doubling.

Bockhorni knows this so well because dealers get in touch with her every day with offers.

Pharmacist Bockhorni fears: The masks will not be enough

Bockhorni does not know the number of masks in the district pharmacies.

But she fears: they will not be enough to provide for everyone.

Especially since theoretically everyone can stock up on free FFP2 protection.

The age can easily be checked using the identity card.

But the previous illnesses?

“I don't want to attribute anything to anyone.

.

. ”, She says, does not finish the sentence.

Doesn't have to.

With a self-declaration, the patients can get the masks.

Not even that is compulsory.

One can only appeal to the reason and responsibility of people, to their honesty.

Until Tuesday evening, Bockhorni and her colleagues did not know whether they had to prove who had covered themselves up with masks.

It is only recommended.

As a precaution, Bockhornis employees collect names and signatures on receipts.

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Tatjana Bockhorni is the spokesperson for pharmacies in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district.

© private

The situation will change in the new year, probably from January 6th.

Then everyone in the risk group is entitled to six masks with a two-euro deductible - on presentation of a voucher, which the health insurances send to authorized persons.

The pharmacies submit these coupons and the masks are reimbursed.

Even if Bockhorni understands the idea behind the quick-quick action - you want to give risk groups Christmas with higher protection - she would have liked more lead time.

And the coupon solution right from the start.

This means that anyone could get their FFP2 masks on any day.

"Then there would have been no panic from the start."

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2020-12-15

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