You’ve heard about the Coronavirus…what exactly is it?

It’s a virus that’s in the SARS family of viruses that emerged first in the Wuhan section of China that now has found its way across the globe.

You also may have seen many people wearing masks…will that prevent you from getting it?

Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal, who lived in China and covered the SARS outbreak in 2002 the answer is probably not, according to the NY Times.

Why?

Things like the Coronavirus and the flu don’t spread that easily outdoors so unless you’re in a confined space like a bus or plane, it’s not really necessary.

Also even if your mask did block it, the virus would stick to the mask and most likely transfer to your hands when you took if off.

Once a mask is contaminated, it has to be thrown out but there’s no way to tell if it is contaminated or not…so you’d need to wear a new mask EVERY day.

She says the best way to protect yourself is what you do during cold and flu season…wash your hands more.

You’re more likely to get a virus by touching something contaminated, like a doorknob.