The coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China, has already infected over 42,000 people and claimed 1,000 lives, reports The Economic Times. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially named the disease COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 19) declared it a public health emergency of international concern.
People in China are using everyday items like empty water jars and plastic sheets to cover themselves thereby decreasing the risk of infection.
According to Metro UK, an unidentified cat owner recently used a human-sized disposable surgical mask and cut out two holes for eyes so that her pet could wear one too.
Meanwhile in China 🇨🇳🐱😷
Protect your furbabies with face masks. 💜#coronavirus #coronavirusPH#coronavirusoutbreak #Cats pic.twitter.com/rChGytDkFi
— 에린 Eri🦋 (@purplehime11) February 10, 2020
WHO’s statement says, “it is not known if the 2019-nCoV has any impact on the health of animals and no particular event has been reported in any species,” but pet parents aren’t taking any chances. NY Post reports that sales of canine face masks have increased substantially since the outbreak.
Spotted near my house today on my dash to the supermarket. (I guess you can never be too careful 😷) #coronaviruschina pic.twitter.com/zMkW8xzl2d
— Eunice Yoon (@onlyyoontv) February 9, 2020
An old man in #china walks his dog on a transport roller, a good man never forget to protect his best friend with a mask from #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/c3RO4nzgWI
— Caesar Chadwick (@realCaesarChad) February 11, 2020
Twitter is lauding the thoughtfulness of pet parents because safety always comes first! Take a look.
Safety 1st
— Taxman (@richard19990185) February 9, 2020
Because coronavirus is no joke.
— Faisal -Epilogue- (@FaisalTheJudge) February 10, 2020
Protecting our fellow furry friends 😄
— Yiate Famoume (@FamoumeYiate) February 11, 2020
Protection for meow #WuhanVirus #coronavirus #cat #mask pic.twitter.com/1PzbFNuoK1
— Vicki Tsim (@vickitsim) February 10, 2020
The pictures of a cat wearing a mask quickly went viral and several other social media users posted photos of their fur babies doing the same for protection.
My mummy said I must put my mask on 😇 🐶.
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.#dog #bulldog #virus #coronavirus #hongkong #safe #mask #goodboy #pandemic #funny #lol #model #canine #funnyvideos #behave #puppy #doglover #pet #doglife #animals #love #cute #smile #ourdog #happydog #dogworld pic.twitter.com/ji70rG1FId— Xaviere Cottereau (@Pixiexavy) February 7, 2020
どうぞ😂 pic.twitter.com/qWE1m1QrA1
— アイドル推し (@ultrageed) February 11, 2020
— chen yi (@Realchenyi) February 11, 2020
BBC reports that in addition to wearing masks, precautions such as washing hands with soap and water (after touching a pet’s fur) and covering our nose and mouth with a tissue while sneezing can go a long way in keeping the virus at bay.