Those Masks Won't Save You

Maybe not... but the masks have just received official approval by the Taliban. Reply

N95 rated mask are specifically manufactured for SARS, FLU or any other airborne virus. Afterall, if they are good enough for doctors, you'd think they'd be good enough for the author of this "opinion" article. If not, more for me! If you dont like it mr author, take advice from the CDC .... "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that health care workers who handle contagious patients, including those infected by SARS and the avian flu, wear masks that meet the N95 rating under the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. This means that the respirators filter out at least 95 percent of airborne particles during testing using a "most-penetrating" sized particle of 0.3 microns" Reply

I'm not screwing around with this one, especially since it's the same strain Type A H1N1 that killed 20-100 million between 1918 - 1920. you all should grab a pair of N95 or greater respirators (N100 is better but hard to find) asap. Home Depot sells them in the paint supplies area for roughly $5. Me personally I spent $30 on a 3M Half Face Mask Respirator much more comfortable to wear. This is serious shit and is only made worse by the CDC downplaying how dangerous this virus is to healthy young adults. Reply

Paranoia will destroy ya! Reply

Fear will rule the day without the right information .... Here is more .... * General * Where contact with infected persons is not expected, individuals interacting with the general population should use basic PPE during a pandemic to prevent sprays of potentially infected liquid droplets (from talking, coughing, or sneezing) from contacting their nose or mouth. For caretakers in contact with possible avian influenza patients, refer to the Pandemic Planning?Health Care Worker Preparedness fact sheet or the Pandemic Planning – Home and Family Preparedness fact sheet. *Surgical Masks and Respirators* Surgical masks provide protection from liquid droplets and are generally recommended. Respirators, such as N95 respirators, may be considered if there is an expectation of close contact with persons who have symptomatic influenza infection. Follow the surgical mask or respirator manufacturer’s fitting instructions to ensure proper fit and usage. *Eye Protection* Eye protection generally is not required to prevent influenza infection. *Hand Washing* Individuals should wash hands frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitizer to prevent hands from transferring potentially infectious material from surfaces to their mouths or noses. *Gloves* While individuals may choose to wear gloves, the exposure of concern is touching the mouth and nose with a contaminated hand and not exposure to the virus through broken skin (for example, cuts or scrapes). While the use of gloves may make individuals more aware of potential hand contamination, there is no difference between intentional or unintentional touching of the mouth, nose, or eyes with either a contaminated glove or a contaminated hand. *Proper Removal of PPE* Remove PPE in the proper sequence to avoid contamination. 1. Because gloves are considered the most contaminated piece of PPE, remove them first. Do not touch the outside of gloves with your bare hands during removal. If you contaminate your hands during the removal process, wash them before continuing. 2. Surgical masks or N95 respirators may be contaminated because droplets may have landed on them or you may have touched your face by mistake while wearing your PPE. Touch only the ties or straps at the back of your head. Slowly remove the straps, taking care that the respirator does not contaminate your bare skin or clothing. 3. Dispose of used PPE in a plastic lined trash can or a plastic bag. Seal the plastic bag for later disposal. Hold the bag by the outside and avoid any rush of air as you seal it. 4. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or a hand sanitizer immediatly after PPE removal. *Summary* When selecting PPE, consider factors such as function, fit, long-term comfort, ability to be decontaminated, disposal, and cost. Sometimes, when a piece of PPE will have to be used repeatedly for a long period of time, a more expensive and durable piece of PPE may be less expensive in the long run than... Reply