Yahoo TV

The face mask has become a priceless commodity, but it is much easier to find in some places than in others.

In Hong Kong, where masks were once hard to find a few months ago, supplies have now bounced back.

Yolanda Caravaca Lopez is one of those now stocking up -- but not for herself.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SPANISH NATIONAL LIVING IN HONG KONG, EXECUTIVE COACH YOLANDA CARAVACA LOPEZ, SAYING:

"I got four packs of face masks. And each pack has fifty pieces. And it's going to be sent to Spain and France."

Lopez, a Spanish expat, is sending these home to friends and relatives in Europe who can't find any masks at all.

She says one individual mask can sell for as much as 10 US dollars in Spain.

Compare it to Hong Kong, where you can get a pack of fifty for just 30 bucks.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SPANISH NATIONAL LIVING IN HONG KONG, EXECUTIVE COACH YOLANDA CARAVACA LOPEZ, SAYING:

"My family and friends in Spain are desperate. Because there are no masks, they tell me the news as if the end of the world is coming."

Even as panic buying of masks spreads around the world, authorities remain conflicted on the effectiveness of wearing one.

However, Lopez says that won't dampen the demand.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SPANISH NATIONAL LIVING IN HONG KONG, EXECUTIVE COACH YOLANDA CARAVACA LOPEZ, SAYING:

"They don't really care about what who has to say about the face mask. They just see that it's going down the drain, and they just want to protect themselves (and) to be able to help other people."