Lowes Companies Inc (LOW)

[dss19552002]

This is part panic as I have coworkers desiring to buy N95 dust masks to protect themselves from the virus. The N95 masks will do a better job than the surgical masks you see people wear. Surgical masks don't offer much, if any, protection and aren't good as dust masks either. This does create more demand, and foot traffic for Lowes, Home Depot and other like stores. (The website says limited stock at my local Home Depot, and doesn't appear to be available at my local Lowes.) CVS, Target, and Walmart and other places are probably likewise out of stock. So, from a business standpoint for Lowes, this can have some benefits. From my research on the COVID-19 virus, the death rate appears to be lower than the flu, so the panic may wane soon. I don't have an answer to the actual needs for the mask, like for the contractors. That is going to be a problem for a little while.

The advice for the doctor's office seems like good advice, as wearing the masks as a contractor is a medical (occupational health) necessity. For the short run, that may be the best option for people in that position, as bad as that seems.