COVID-19 isn’t through with us just yet. Apparently, cases are ticking higher again in the U.S., raising fears of another wave of infections this winter. According to MarketWatch.com, cases are rising again in 40 states, led by Oklahoma, where cases are up 89% in just two weeks. Louisiana has the highest hospitalization rate, up 109% in the last two weeks. California hospitalizations are up 66% in two weeks. There’s even talk of bringing back masks in California, if things worsen.
The US CDC is also encouraging most Americans to again wear masks to help prevent the spread of COVID, the fly, and even RSV over the holiday season. “About 5% of the U.S. population lives in counties where the CDC is officially recommending masks due to high Covid levels. The CDC continues to recommend masking for anyone traveling by plane, train, bus or other forms of public transportation,” as noted by CNBC.
That being said, investors may want to pay close attention to mask stocks, such as Alpha Pro Tech (APT), which surged the last time we had to wear masks, and 3M Co. (MMM).