WARSAW — If you’re in the market for surgical masks, you may not have much luck — at least locally.

But the demand for the masks appears to be misdirected.

Heightened fears related to the novel coronavirus and the potential for a global pandemic has led to a worldwide shortage of medical masks and respirators as worried consumers are buying the masks in bulk. 

Visits to three Warsaw pharmacies over the weekend turned up no masks. 

“We can’t even get them,” said a representative at one pharmacy.”Our wholesaler is completely out.”

Calls were then made to additional pharmacies in Warsaw and nearby towns. 

The response was the same — ‘We don’t have any and aren’t sure when we’ll be getting a new supply in.’

A representative from one Warsaw pharmacy said the masks “have been on backorder for a month.”

The virus, officially named COVID-19, originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. 

Since that time, the virus has been found outside of China. On March 1, NBC News reported that the virus has spread from China to at least 40 countries around the world, including the United States where six have died from the disease.

CDC does not recommend that people who are healthy wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spoke Feb. 27, at a House Foreign Affairs hearing on Capitol Hill. Redfield answered questions about the virus at that time.

When asked by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan if healthy people should wear surgical masks, Redfield replied, “No.”

“We need to make sure those N95 masks are available for the doctors and nurses that are going to be taking care of individuals that have this illness,” Redfield said at the hearing. “And it really does displease me, to find people going out, there is no role for these masks in the community.”

Redfield suggested accessing the CDC.gov site in order to obtain accurate and updated information about the coronavirus.

At the current time, masks are available through Amazon, although Amazon is currently monitoring its site in an effort to prevent price-gouging by sellers. 

From the CDC.gov site:

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

•Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

•Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

•Stay home when you are sick.

•Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

•Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

•Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

•If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.