Cultural thing. I remember it happened with SARS, and probably did before that. NPR said that people were swiping masks from hospitals, where they're NEEDED, so they've ordered new ones, which are on backorder, and who-knows-when they'll come in.
Me, I figure I'm technically elderly, but I'm in good health, with an effective immune system.
We really need some type of "cone of shame" to remind us not to stick our fingers in our eyes or noses, or suck our thumbs.