There’s No Masking the Best Way to Avoid Coronavirus

Coronavirus is scaring up sales of face masks but to ward off the disease focus on washing your hands

The most common way to pick up a virus is to literally pick it up. For that reason, nothing beats some hot water and soap, not even an N95 respirator.Gang Liu/Shutterstock

Americans are watching with alarm as a new coronavirus spreads in China and cases pop up in the United States. They are barraged with information about what kinds of masks are best to prevent viral spread. Students are handing out masks in Seattle. Masks have run out in Brazos County, Texas.

Hang on.