Google searches for 'face mask' hit an all-time high amid coronavirus fears

The images streaming out of China as the country struggles to contain the coronavirus outbreak depict  masses donning protective medical face masks. As Wired has pointed out, these masks have become a symbol of the pandemic. And Americans are taking notice.

As the disease spreads around the world and experts warn that the virus, known as Covid-19, will likely come to U.S. shores soon, Americans have apparently been wondering how to protect themselves — and whether they should take a cue from Chinese citizens' facial attire.

That worry is reflected in our Google searches. According to Google Trends, searches for "face mask" reached an all-time high in February. Read more...