SAN ANTONIO — As coronavirus fears grow across the country, face masks are flying off the shelves and prices are surging online. The demand is booming—despite officials with the Centers for Disease Control insisting that those who are healthy don't need to wear them.
Those who have tested positive in the U.S. have been held in isolation and coronavirus has not spread to the community at this point.
“The only people who need a mask right now are people who are healthcare workers and people who have symptoms, or they are actually ill. That way they don’t pass the illness onto someone else,” said Porfirio Villarreal with the Houston Health Department.
Despite the numerous warnings, many hardware stores in San Antonio have sold out of "dust masks", which are not as strong as medical-grade masks, which are usually available in pharmacies and medical supply stores.
But again, the CDC does not recommend wearing either type of face mask in your everyday life if you're not already sick.
