Preston Mulligan

A pharmacist&nbsp;in Nova Scotia is&nbsp;urging her&nbsp;patrons to be patient when it comes to buying masks and sanitizers. They simply don't have any to sell, nor do they know when supplies might return to normal.

"First, it was the masks that we saw go really quickly, so I wasn't surprised to kind of see the hand sanitizer follow suit," said&nbsp;Sabrina McLean, a pharmacist at MacKay's PharmaChoice in Dartmouth.

"People are looking for whatever they can to protect themselves," she said.

The hand sanitizer shelves at her pharmacy have been empty for two weeks, although it doesn't appear people are stockpiling yet, she said.

"Most people are actually being pretty reasonable. They're sticking to one or two," McLean said.

Hand sanitizer at a pharmacy.

She said most people don't realize that washing with regular soap and water is actually more effective than the alcoholic gels. If you insist on them, she said to make sure the gels are at least 60 per cent alcohol.

McLean said her store&nbsp;generally orders hand sanitizer from a wholesaler.

"Right now when we ask, they say there's nothing available. I hear we may be getting some in later this week. There's not really any guarantees," she said.

The potential problems with stockpiling for coronavirus outbreak

Stockpiling supplies because of the coronavirus outbreak may make people feel prepared, but it could mean there isn’t enough for those in need.

Sylvain Charlebois, a professor at Dalhousie University's school of management who specializes in food distribution, said we're inclined to "panic shop" when we're unprepared.

Whether it's a storm or an outbreak of a deadly virus that could force us to be housebound or quarantined, he said it's best not to overreact. His advice is to always have enough food in the house to get through at least three days.

"What's important here is to actually be prepared. Get supplies once in a while. When you go out grocery shopping, buy a few extra items, replenish as you need to,&nbsp;and keep calm," he said.

How the Desmond inquiry could change the lives of veterans and their families

Two families in Guysborough County, N.S., became forever bound by tragedy in 2017 after an Afghanistan veteran with a complex mental illness — and a history of conflict in his marriage — fatally shot his wife, mother, daughter and himself.

The second day of the fatality inquiry into the deaths of a former soldier and his family resumes today.

Desmond inquiry

The Lionel Desmond inquiry heard from 20 witnesses during its first session, which focused on the intersection of mental health, domestic violence and firearms acquisition.

Hugh MacKay pleads not guilty to latest drunk driving charge

The lawyer for former Liberal MLA Hugh MacKay has pleaded not guilty on his client's behalf to a charge of drunk driving, the second alcohol-related charge the Nova Scotia politician has faced in less than six months.

Hugh MacKay enters court in Halifax on Nov. 8, 2019.

Hugh MacKay

Proposed ban on flavoured vape products raises concerns among users, industry

Several dozen people told the Nova Scotia Legislature’s law amendments committee Thursday that the government’s effort to reduce youth vaping rates won’t achieve its goal, but will unfairly affect small businesses and adult consumers.

This Jan. 31, 2020 photo shows mint Juul pods next to Puff Bar flavored disposable vape devices at a store in the Brooklyn borough of New York. On Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, the U.S. government began enforcing restrictions on flavored electronic cigarettes aimed at curbing underage vaping. But parents, researchers and students warn that some young people have already moved on to a newer kind of vape that isn't covered by the flavor ban - disposables.

Teen Vaping Disposables

Speakers at the law amendments committee on Thursday said a new tax on vape products should be based on nicotine content, not total product volume.

Halifax police seize 'extremely dangerous' opioid that's stronger than fentanyl

Police in Halifax have seized a large amount of potent synthetic opioid that is stronger than fentanyl. People taking the drug, confirmed as isotonitazene, may need several doses of naloxone to counter an overdose.

24 new recruits will begin training with Halifax Regional Police in January

Halifax Regional Police badge

Working while sick: some Nova Scotians can't afford a day off

Amid coronavirus fears, the province is recommending people don't go to work when they're not feeling well. But wage loss is keeping some Nova Scotians from taking a sick day.

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Woman sick in bed with cold or flu

Some Nova Scotians say they can't afford to take a day off when they're sick.

Sabrina McLean is a pharmacist at MacKay's PharmaChoice in Dartmouth, N.S.

Amid coronavirus fears, N.S. pharmacist says soap and water is better than hand sanitizer

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