Facemask mania; may increase risk

US Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams not only wants people to stop buying facemasks to prevent the novel coronavirus, but warns that you might increase your risk of infection if facemasks aren’t worn correctly. “You can increase your risk of getting it by wearing a mask if you are not a health care provider,” Adams said during an interview on Fox & Friends on March 2. On Sunday, the SG posted on Twitter that people should stop buying masks. Rather, keep yourself and those around you healthy, by washing hands often, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and disinfect surfaces. Adams also tweeted that if the general public purchases a majority of the facemask supply it could prevent health care personnel from getting them, which would lead to not being able to care for sick patients. “It puts them and our communities at risk!” (Source: CNN 03/02/20) https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/02/facemasks-may-actually-increase-your-coronavirus-risk-if-worn-improperly-surgeon-general-warns/ Golden Triangle Note: Charles Stanford, a salesman at New Home Building Store in Columbus, Miss., began noticing a manifestation of coronavirus fears this week: "Masks," Stanford said. "Everybody wants masks. New Home keeps a variety of dust masks (not intended to prevent viruses). By Friday, 50 masks remained on the shelf. The mask recommended to protect against viruses is called the N95. Leigh Walker, a sales rep for OxyCare Plus in Columbus, said the demand for the N95 has exploded the last two weeks. (Source: Columbus Dispatch) https://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=79734 Confirmed cases among Gulf Coast states: Florida (2) and Texas (11). Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi have not had any confirmed cases.