Stop Buying Face Masks: U.S. Surgeon General

MONDAY, March 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Surgeon General is urging Americans to stop buying face masks in an attempt to protect themselves from coronavirus.

A rush on masks has resulted in stores nationwide running out of masks and backlogs of online orders, CNN reported.

"Seriously people," Dr. Jerome Adams said in a tweet on Saturday. "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!" he explained, CNN reported.

Healthcare providers are at highest risk for coronavirus transmission.

Adams said that washing your hands, staying home when sick and other "everyday preventive actions" are the best protections against coronavirus.

He urged people to get a flu shot, because fewer flu patients means more health care resources to fight the coronavirus, CNN reported.

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