U.S. Surgeon General Urges People to ‘Stop Buying Masks’

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Surgeon General urged people to “stop buying masks,” saying on Twitter that they're not effective in preventing the general public from catching coronavirus.

“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,” Jerome M. Adams said in a tweet.

Read More: U.S. Holds Off Urging Face-Mask Use But Virus Fears Fan Sellout

He encouraged people to get flu shots, saying fewer flu patients means more resources for fighting the virus.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the way Saturday for some laboratories to conduct diagnostic tests on the virus before an emergency process is fully approved.

The FDA issued guidance to help rapidly expand testing capacity using molecular coronavirus diagnostic examinations. For a period of time while labs submit formal applications, the FDA doesn't intend to object to the tests for specimen testing, according to a statement.

Read More: U.S. to Expand Coronavirus Tests After Delay in Surveillance

To contact the reporter on this story: Hailey Waller in New York at hwaller@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Ludden at jludden@bloomberg.net

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