COLORADO SPRINGS — If you're trying to get masks, hand sanitizer, or certain cleaning supplies at some stores in Colorado Springs - good luck.
Concern over the coronavirus is causing people to stock up on those items with some stores now sold out. It's something that's impacting local businesses.
We checked in with a few of the chains in our area and here's what we found out: Walgreens says face masks are "sold out" online. Lowe's and Home Depot don't allow you to order masks online and Home Depot says each store has a "limited supply."
We were able to speak with someone at an Ace Hardware. They shared they are out of the N95 masks and they think every other store in town is as well. They're also out of Lysol hand wipes and Lysol cleaner.
Store Manager Tami Salazar said, "It impacts my sales, of course it does. I wish that I could take care of my community and provide them everything that they need. Unfortunately, at Bon Ace Hardware we just can't do that right now."
Salazar says there is a global shortage and it could be a couple months before supplies like these are back in stock. She also shared that her store is still getting dozens of calls every day with people asking if they have masks.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General face masks are not effective in preventing people from catching the coronavirus. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of the virus to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. Officials say the use of face masks is also important for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings.
