Amazon Warns Sellers Not To Gouge Users on Face Masks as Prices Skyrocket on Coronavirus Fears

Amazon is warning third-party sellers on its Marketplace platform not to gouge customers on protective face masks as the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak that originated in mainland China continues to spread internationally and becomes increasingly likely to hit the U.S. From a report: The effectiveness of the masks as a preventative measure against infection by the coronavirus, a novel virus called SARS-CoV-2 which causes a disease called COVID-19, is unclear. Proper handwashing and avoiding contact with infected individuals is probably more important, and the Centers for Disease Control isn’t currently advising the general public wear masks. But prices for masks have tripled and in some cases quadrupled on Amazon, with Amazon telling some sellers that their listings are “not in compliance” with policies that ban price-gouging. Typically this policy is enforced during the holiday season when there are shortages of popular gifts, though price-gouging on Amazon during previous crises has been an issue (such as elevated prices for water before the impact of Hurricane Irma). Many states also have laws against raising prices of basic goods during emergencies, which the outbreak is after the feds declared a public health emergency last month.