| People visiting Japan during the SARS epidemic | | | | the wearer also seeps through surgical masks, |
| may have viewed the sea of masks in Japan and | | | | making them only sterile for an hour or two. |
| thought that the Japanese were being very | | | | The masks that we see people wear in Japan are |
| careful to protect themselves against SARS. | | | | masks similar to surgical masks. Surgical masks |
| Some people were. Now, Japan has another sea | | | | date back to the 1860s. Today, surgical masks |
| of masks. People visiting Japan may think the | | | | are designed to catch the bacteria coming from |
| masks are due to the new flu outbreaks | | | | the mouth and nose. The masks worn in Japan |
| spreading around the world. Some of the masks | | | | are similarly designed. The masks will fight the |
| are. | | | | spread of infectious diseases by catching bacteria |
| Visitors to Japan, however, can always see | | | | and reminding wearers not to touch their mouth |
| people wearing masks. People wear masks when | | | | or nose. People are often infected after touching |
| they are sick so they do not infect other people, | | | | a contaminated surface and then touching their |
| people wear masks when they are healthy so | | | | mouth or nose. However, these masks will not |
| they do not get infected, and people wear masks | | | | protect from airborne viruses such as the current |
| to protect themselves from the pollen in the air | | | | swine flu. A respirator mask is necessary for such |
| that gives them hay fever. Question enough | | | | protection. |
| people as to why they are wearing masks and | | | | In the United States, the standard for respirator |
| eventually you will even hear that they didn't | | | | masks is NIOSH N95. Any respirator confirming to |
| want to put on their makeup that morning, an | | | | this standard will protect the wearer from flu that |
| answer I heard from 19 year-old Mayumi last | | | | is airborne. Respirator masks fit tightly over |
| month. | | | | people's faces, protecting them from airborne |
| Medical specialists and the general public around | | | | particles that could contain viruses. Unfortunately, |
| the world appear to be in agreement. Wearing | | | | these masks must be custom fit, are expensive, |
| masks prevents sick people from spreading | | | | and are uncomfortable to wear for long periods |
| infections. Agreement is lacking, however, when it | | | | of time, rendering them unsuitable for mass use |
| comes to the effectiveness of healthy people | | | | like surgical masks. |
| using masks for protection. The general public in | | | | In the long run, the best protection against |
| Japanese believes they are effective. While I have | | | | airborne diseases is to stay away from crowded |
| never discussed their effectiveness with doctors | | | | places and from other people as much as you |
| in Japan, I have seen many doctors wearing them | | | | can. When you cannot stay away, washing your |
| in hospitals, doctors- not surgeons. The CDC and | | | | hands with soap and water, covering your mouth |
| WHO both question the benefits masks provide | | | | and nose when you sneeze or cough and wearing |
| and do not recommend them. The moisture from | | | | masks are good preventive behaviors. |