U.S. Surgeon General Makes Plea for Public to Stop Buying Face Masks Over Coronavirus

The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a statement urging the public to not buy face masks over concerns about Coronavirus, or COVID-19.

“Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!,” the Surgeon General posted on Twitter.

“The best way to protect yourself and your community is with everyday preventive actions, like staying home when you are sick and washing hands with soap and water, to help slow the spread of respiratory illness. Get your #FluShot- fewer flu patients = more resources for#COVID19,” they added.

There have been several confirmed cases of the virus in the US with a small handful of casualties in Washington State. The virus even caused one of the most famous buildings in the world to close their doors.