Swine flu fear increases demand for face masks

I know this swine flu outbreak is not fat loss related, but it is health related, so I’m reporting somewhat related to it here.

With the outbreak getting worse, any businessman would see an opportunity arises from this swine flu fear.

News report says, “Diversified manufacturer 3M Co. and consumer product maker Kimberly-Clark Corp. both said they are increasing manufacturing to keep pace with orders from pharmacies like Rite-Aid and CVS, which are reporting heavy sales of the tight-fitting masks.”

Face masks are flying off the shelves it seems … but the question I have, does it actually help to prevent getting the swine flu?

Well here’s a FAQ I found online that settled my queries and perhaps yours too.

Face masks are simple paper devices that tie behind your head or loop over your ears. They are often called surgical, dental, medical, isolation or laser masks. Respirator masks are heavier fabric masks with the designation ”N95” stamped on them, certified by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Should I buy masks?

There’s no reason not to buy a face mask or a respirator mask if you want, health officials say — so long as you don’t overestimate their value. ”We’d rather focus on regular hand-washing and other things that limit the spread,” says Lillian Rivera, director of the Miami-Dade Health Department.

How effective are face masks?

If someone coughs near you, they can stop or slow the larger droplets that might infect you, Rivera says. But they won’t stop tiny particles like the flu virus, so their value is limited.

How effective are respirator masks?

N95 respirator masks can stop the flu virus. But to be fully effective they must be professionally ”fit-tested” to each wearer’s face — something most residents don’t know how to do. So they can leak around the edges. It’s much safer simply to avoid close contact with people who might be infected.

When should I use a face mask or respirator mask?

When you must be in close contact with an infected person — as when you’re caring for a sick relative at home.

Do masks have other drawbacks?

Any mask you wear can become contaminated on the outside. So you must be sure not to touch it there, and to change it frequently. And keep washing your hands.

I have some old dust masks in the garage that I got at a home improvement store to use when I’m sanding my boat. Will they help?

A little, maybe. Miami-Dade health officials say they might stop some big droplets from people sneezing at you. But they’re less effective than surgical or respirator masks.

FRED TASKER

Well I’ve not been sick for the past four years and I want to keep it that way. I might just buy a face mask myself.