CAMBRIDGE, MA - Some economic experts are cautiously optimistic that there may be an unexpected benefit to the swine flu epidemic threatening millions of Americans. Sales of surgical masks, which have skyrocketed in recent weeks, may become the new growth industry that could stabilize the economy - offsetting the downturns in the automobile and housing markets.
Economists say that with continued marketing efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health, all 350 million Americans could be surgical mask consumers by the end of the second quarter. Analysts add in all probability the market with remain viable long after the swine flu pandemic is over.
"In the unlikely event that this crisis ends, there are many more to follow." said Norman Humphries, Director of Marketing for the CDC. "We've got several pandemics ready to go, such as bird flu and mad cow disease - plus some reliable products still popular with most alarmists, including SARS and Legionnaire's Disease."
Experts say that if every American buys one mask per day, the recession could be over within nine months - adding that introducing such a volume of product into the market would be like taking 100 million cars off the road.
Lawmakers, eager to spur growth in the mask industry, immediately proposed taxes on the sale and manufacture of the product. "Surgical masks are the epitome of clean industry." said Nevada Senator Harry Reid. "We're confident Americans are eager to invest their tax dollars into it."
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