In China, the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak is on the rise. Videos are surfacing of people collapsing on the street, and hospitals dedicated to housing coronavirus patients are being built from scratch. To cope with the impending threat of the outbreak, people in China and across the globe are purchasing surgical facemasks. But do they actually work? Should we all be wearing them? A woman in front of me at the grocery store had one on today, and I wondered about how effective it could really be.
It turns out, it can definitely help! Doctors say wearing a surgical face mask can block out germs, and help keep your immune system running at top speed. Though it's important to be aware that as far as coronavirus is concerned, researchers are still trying to determine how it is spread.
Commercially-available masks are not as effective as medical-grade ones. Try ordering them online, or purchasing them in a pharmacy (if you can get them!).
The best way to keep yourself from getting sick is to practice good hand hygiene! Wash frequently with warm water and soap, and try not to touch public surfaces like elevator buttons, door knobs, and hand railings.