Masks have been in hot demand lately, as the novel coronavirus outbreak sees no end in sight.

Numerous countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong are facing shortages.

But while many have the wherewithal and energy to queue for hours on end for new masks, there are some who have been left behind.

Masks are "overpriced"

One single mother in Hong Kong, Alice Chan, told South China Morning Post that she had reused her disposable mask for five days straight.

Chan lives in a subdivided flat, a type of rental housing typically occupied by the low-income, unemployed or immigrants.

She revealed that she uses it on alternate sides every day and hangs it behind the door when not in use.

She acknowledged that she knew it "was not good practice", but did not want to spend on "overpriced ones".

Although Chan was given five new masks from a church, she said she would still continue to reuse each one until it was too dirty.

Too tired to queue

Another 79-year-old man with existing medical conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, said he was too tired to join the long queues for masks.

He also could not afford them as the local pharmacies were selling a box of 50 masks at up to HK$200 (S$35.71).

The man, whose surname is also Chan, said that he and his wife had four masks left between them in their subdivided flat, but had no way to get more.

Both elderly persons do not know how to buy masks online.

They also plan to "avoid all unnecessary outings", perhaps out of fear of contracting the virus themselves outside of the home.

Reusing masks unhygienic

While many of the poor and elderly with no other options might resort to reusing masks, numerous experts have panned such actions as they could increase the risk of infection.

These masks can trap dirt and bacteria within, and once used, would be contaminated with the user's secretions and saliva.

The user could thus run the risk of self-inoculation.

The World Health Organisation has also posted an advisory, encouraging people to discard single-use masks at the end of the day, or when it becomes damp and humid.

Misleading videos circulating on Chinese social media, advising people to steam masks for 10 minutes and reusing them, have also been thoroughly debunked by healthcare officials.

Extreme mask shortage

The extreme shortage of masks has clearly resulted in some desperation among Hong Kong citizens.

Long queues have formed across the city as Hong Kongers seek to buy the most convenient form of protection against the virus.

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Chief executive Carrie Lam received much backlash recently over her mismanagement of the city's masks supply.

Due to the shortage, Lam encouraged only certain groups of citizens to don masks, such as those who were sick, or those visiting crowded or high-risk places, reported RTHK.

This is to ensure that medical workers on the front lines have enough masks for themselves.

Top photo from Xarah Oliver Yoge / FB