What do you think about flu-fighting face masks?

I won't be wearing these masks. They don't really protect you in the first place. And even if they did, don't you have to take it off to take a bath? What happens to all the germs on the mask? Do they go flying into your nostrils as soon as you take it off and then take a breath? It doesn't make sense to wear these.

Yeah, thats what I want to know too, doesn't it just get on the mask? So I would guess that I'm gonna need gloves also!

Anything that slows down transmission or makes us less susceptible to transmission is a benefit, of course. However, be advised masks like those used in surgery have a limited time effectiveness. Also, viruses are so much smaller than bacteria that a more specialized mask would be encouraged, However, as stated in the first sentence, anything which slows, inhibits or makes us less vulnerable is helpful. Exposure needs to be considered and avoided unnecessarily. BE wise and advised: take all means necessary.

I bet someone somewhere realized that had about 100 million masks they needed to sell, so they invented a need for them. Isn't that just basic Marketing 101?

Then again, I just happen to have a stock of red rubber bands for $5.00 each which will, amazingly enough, zap those flu viruses dead in a heartbeat!

If you feel better wearing a mask, then wear one. The thing is that virus are so small they go right through most masks and you need a specialized filter mask (such as Hepa) to really work and it must be fitted to the person wearing it (otherwise virus gets in from the open spaces around the edges). In addition, those paper/cloth masks that people wear around get damp from exhaled air after about an hour, then they become wicks for microorganisms, doing more harm than good. The best prevention is to limit contact with large groups of people (malls, parades, concerts, etc), get plenty of rest, wash your hands, eat healthy foods, wash your hands, maintain your immune system, wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands, properly dispose of kleenex, wash your hands, wash your hands, and wash your hands. And wash your hands Properly! Turn off the faucet with a paper towel, or you just pick up the junk you left on it when you turned it on. Just sayin'

I just can't be bothered to wear a mask - I feel like I am suffocating with anything over my mouth and nose. I can't even sleep with the covers over my head! As people above have said, a regular mask isn't going to do any good. You need a special HEPA mask (aka N95) AND it needs to be worn correctly for it to do its job.

Fazool's advice is right on the money.

I've worked in the health care profession for almost 20 years. Masks are a great way to protect yourself against airbornediseases. Just like washing your hands and being more conscientious of what you touch during the day will help your chances at not becoming infected. I also experience the cons of wearing a face mask but I still wear one as it is a requirement in my job. I would rather deal with being hot and feeling like I have a mask over my face than get sick every time I see someone who is ill. I guess it is all relative. Not being able to breath under a mask out weighs not being able to breath cause I'm sick. As for removing the mask effectively, you don't need gloves to do it safely. You can use a sandwich bag placed over your hand and roll it up in the bag and toss it away without ever touching the mask, use the bag like a glove with one hand inside the bag. If you have a zip style bag turn the bag inside out before you remove your mask, when you remove the mask turn the bag right side out with your hand that is in the bag, zip then toss. Hope this helps.

the only thing is like me you also probably wear gloves and eye protection so you are truly protected against airborne pathogens. A person travelling the subway still has the mucous membranes of the eyes exposed and is still touching all the surfaces every infected person has touched. Every year the flu kills hundreds and we don't wear masks. I think this time it has been over sensationalized. It could be in the future that the killer flu DOES hit us and then I would suggest that everyone wear a mask and eye protection, and wash hands endlessly and treat every person they meet as infected. They walk around for a day before they get symptoms shedding virus everywhere. By the time they are sneezing it's too late. Finally, EVERYONE WHO IS SICK STAY HOME PLEASE!! That would be helpful :D

I don't care if I look nuts with a mask on, we've had a few deaths already. If it's a choice between nuts and my life, I'll take nuts for $300 Alex!

I agree with you Sue. The hypochondriac option was completely ridiculous. I think the masks make sense if the incidence continues to climb - and gets 'close to home.'

I have a fever.

Silly? My son has asthma and is 20 years old. This strain of virus seems to be severely attacking young adults & those with chronic medical issues. No, I personally don't think it's "silly." I am as worried as the top health and political leaders of many governments around the world.

I'm not paranoid. I have talked to my children about the basics--wash your hands, cover a cough, keep your hands out of your eyes, eat healthy, take vitamins, exercise, & be aware of your body changes. We discuss health all the time. I have taught them about finding resources for information (local & national news, government & health agency websites). This week, I have just made sure they understand the concern about the swine flu.

Silly? No. The health of my family, friends, and community is not a light-hearted subject to me.

RunstheBitterroot This whole swine flu buisness is pretty silly don't you think?

If you read the entire article, you would have seen where, in the United States alone, 36,000 people die of flu-related conditions every year. 36,000 people. That's not silly at all. That's sad, shocking, surprising, scary even - but not silly.

In centuries past, influenza would devastate entire populations. With the discovery of vaccines and better medical care, the horrific effects were mitigated. People began to think of flu as something that "used to be" a bad illness. People began to regard flu as nothing more serious than the common cold... go to bed, drink plenty of liquids, you'll be fine in two weeks. 'People' failed to realize human beings have developed a certain degree of immunity to certain strains of flu, and, thus, were better equipped to fight off the more debilitating effects. But we are not impervious and flu is not a harmless inconvenience.

We now have a flu strain which is a combination of viruses and bacterium from three seperate species. Humans have no built in immunity of any degree at all against the swine or bird strains. Some people, most, in fact, will, with proper care, be able to fight off the illness. Too many, as we have seen in Mexico, simply will not be able to resist the virus and will succumb to it. The death toll there is already over 150 and the epidemic is only two weeks old. The U.S. has its first death and Germany has announced three victims. This will only get worse ... a lot worse ... before it gets better. Flu pandemics can circle the world two and three times, dragging out two years or more before they finally run their course.

And there is the economic hit to be considered as well. Businesses close, they lose workers either through death or fear of people leaving their homes. People don't leave home even to go to the grocery in the worst cases. They certainly are not out buying tv's and cars or clothes, even. The economy slumps, businesses stop ordering goods from companies around the world. One nation's flu creates an economic tidal wave that can drown entire companies. Companies go under, more people out of work. People out of work have less money to spend; they curtail buying goods in their own neighborhoods. Selling less here means ordering less from there. Ordering less from there means yet another nation is effected by the economic 'green flu'. And, as businesses go, other one bites the dust.

"Pretty silly"? No. It's ugly and it's scary and it's a lot more far-reaching than most people can begin to imagine. And the scariest part is how many people don't realize how scary it can become.

36,000 deaths a year in the United States alone. Will you, or someone you love, be next?

You two are missing the point. What is silly is how this particular strain is getting so much attention. The flu strikes every year. The flu is deadly, yes, but painting a picture of doom and gloom certainly doesn't help. The media is just crying wolf to get the attention of readers, and drive up ad revenue.

36,000 deaths a year in the United States alone. Will you, or someone you love, be next?

Thanks for the fearmongering. I have a higher chance of being hit by a bus as do my loved ones.

Why should we be afraid of a flu virus that is responding to medication? Most people who catch this virus have lived, those who died, were, with one exception, in a third world nation.

I will wash my hands as I usually do, but I'm not going to wear a mask and avoid public places. The flu usually only kills old people, people with other illnesses, and people who don't have access proper medical treatment. I doubt this new flu is much worse. Most will survive, hell you said this in your post, so why be frightened?

If half the world is dead next month, I'll take back this statement.

Fear is news. Killer bees, fire ants, the bees are dying, the esculator will suck you in. Our world has become fear based. The media feeds on it. What happend to the Avian flu that I was going to die from last year? Move along folks, nothing to see here.....

Chris I couldn't agree with you more!

By the way doesn't Mexico have socialized health care? With our health care being so appaling I wounder why his family brought him here to be treated...

Well we can only pray that it is just putting the fear of God into people! I would be happy if it turns out to be the case. But when the spanish flu hit and ended up killing MILLIONS of people around the world, i wonder if people were saying "oh it will never happen". I am not one for running and screaming the sky is falling the sky is falling, but i do believe in precations, and if it means wearing a mask then so be it.

I don't think it's silly to the family members of the people who have died. When the time comes I will wear my N95 mask, which, while not perfect, should reduce the risk of exposure. I am also following the other precautions that have been mentioned. Being sick with any kind of flu is not fun and I plan to do all I can to lessen that risk for me and my family, regardless of what others think and/or do.

Of course it's not silly for the families of those who die, but the media attention to it IS silly. There are many strains of flu that kill many people. The media just decided to hype up this one. Just like when the media reports someone dying of a shark attack and suddenly shark attack stories are all over the news... It's not that there are more than usual, it's just that the media decides what we should care about at any given time.

Take the usual precautions but don't panic.

I agree that the media feeds off of fearmongering. But take a few courses in microbiology, virology, epidemiology, etc. and you understand the specific, deadly ability of viruses to evolve, survive, and become more deadly to their hosts. The flu of 1918 killed more than 50 million people worldwide. The swine flu may come and go, but there is always the chance it will take the summer off, continue evolving, and come back with a deadly vengeance in the winter of 2009-2010. By the way, the media HAS NOT been telling you that avian flu is spreading through Egypt even as we speak.

I think this thing has been very sensationalized. I do agree that what could easily wipe us out is a killer strain of flu virus..however.. this is NOT one. This is a different strain and a scary one, but NOT a killer strain as first thought. The CDC has stated as much. It is silly to have it the leading news story every night since the yearly strain we get kills as many or more every year... why is this so different is the point? It kills sickly, elderly and young children. It's horrific how many people die every year and only THIS year it's important because we can give it to our pet pigs? I guess the point is it's silly the sensationism that has been surrounding this flu. It's not whether it's sad or scary that flu is killing people, it's why is this different?

Same here... I'm flying from Seattle to Atlanta next week and it's just been reported that there are 6 potential cases in the Seattle area. I'd rather wear a mask and look like a paranoid dweeb than get sick and pass it on to my 2-yr-old daughter or someone else I love!

Well, I do use hand sanitizers because I just got used to doing so after traveling in 3rd world countries, and I try to cough privately and at a great distance, but isn't that just good manners anyway?

I think I'm doing all I can anyway. I have had one flu this year, and the weird thing was that I came down with it after working hard at home for about 9 days in a row and I didn't come in contact with anyone for those 9 days! (I didn't even check the mail!)

That was great advice! You would think hand washing was a lost art. I see people do the motions of hand washing and wonder if they have ever had someone show them how to correctly wash your hands. Running water does not clean. I hope people can take this as it is meant to be heard, not mean or nasty just educational...Warm/Hot water, soap and scrubbing.....*clean hands, don't forget in between fingers and the backs of the hands too.

It provides a good laugh to see people wearing them though. A little humor each day is always a good thing.

I have children at home and dont want to risk getting them sick!, i cant beleive there are only 214 votes for wearing a mask well they probably dont work if you have one of those funny doctor one's, get a real one, and for the people who dont wear one you will be the first to be sick or you might change your mind, here are good tips, get the n95 masks! get gloves get protective eye sheilds, i got all mine at bettymills.com, you can even get a full body suit as well disposible, for only $6.98 each, i put on gloves mask eye sheild, bring the purell and germx wipes as well before i go into a store, and when i come out of store and get back to car i wipe off all of the items i purchsed, even use spray to to also kill to, buy this time i have already taken off mask,gloves,and thrown them into back of pick up truck, not inside with me!

i also wipe the keys and spray them to because i just touched them with the gloves, next time i have to remember to take all it off first,LOL then i wipe outside handle to open door down, i can finally get in and i can now use purell on hands for now untill i get home, when i get home i wash my hands right when i walk into door, real hot water like you are preparing for surgery!!! and after i use another round of purell,

HEY IT SOUNDS LIKE ALOT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I AM NOT STRESSED OR PANICED BECAUSE I HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION I NEED AND ALL STOCKED UP, MY KIDS AND MY HUSBAND AND I ARE JUST PRETTY MUCH STAYING IN THE HOUSE AND NOT GOING OUT UNLESS WE HAVE TOO,

BUT ONLY ME OR MY HUSBAND NOT KIDS,

The virus is much smaller than the mask, true, but helium is much smaller than a balloon's pores. Size is not really the point. It's not the virus alone that's going through the air but droplets, so yes a mask would help.

Also, the eyes are not a viable means of catching the disease. I wouldn't go around shaking hands and rubbing them, mind you, but in general it's not how the disease is spread.

This particular flu does have a tendancy to kill younger people, as did the 1918 flu. That's the main worry here.

I'm with you, K-386821!!!!!! You make a good point.

While they are certainly not perfect, as some of them do block moisture, masks can be somewhat effective in blocking particulates that contain the virus.

Also, they may all be helpful in keeping people from inadvertantly putting fingers or hands that have come into contact with the virus into their mouths. This is a common way of contracting the virus as well.

Wouldn't you need a full body suit to really do any good, and then need to go through decontamination before you took it off? If you got the germs on you anywhere it might eventually be transferred and make you ill. I just can't imagine that little bit of paper- towel-like stuff over your face, with the gaps around the edges, can really do too much to protect anyone. If it makes you feel better, wear it, but things will have to get really, really bad before I'm going to bother. I trust God to either spare me or take me. His will, not mine.

What would you have them do besides what they are already doing. There comes a point in time, and intelligence, where you have to trust somebody to know what they're doing. Unless you're a research Dr. working on the problem your opinion is worthless.