Question for you medical types.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

We see the Japanese wearing masks over their mouth and nose. I read the flu can enter through the eyes too. So what are the stats on the face mask deal? Does it help with not catching the flu?

Raymond

[Puffs Daddy]

Not considered to be effective. It's a cultural thing.

[..]

Some of the dumb ass school bus drivers have started wearing them whilst they do their pre trip inspection. I haven't seen one being worn whilst with kids on board.

I have a bottle of gel antispetic hand wash next to me on the bus. I use it after I check the bus after the kids have got off. There are so many surfaces I come into contact with that their sticky little mitts have been touching   eesh

[hubcapsc]

"Dr. Nancy" on the Today show sez they don't do nuthin'...

-Mike "but she used proper english"

[x]

Not considered to be effective. It's a cultural thing.

Exactly right... a recent study in the Happy Times (aka The Singapore Straits Times) shows that only much more expensive masks really work.

OTOH:

a)  Singapore is well stocked with masks that do work because of SARS and bird flu... and if you had to be in a city in the middle of an epidemic, you would want it to be Singapore... very well prepared... I can just imagine my home town of Houston... they'd be d*cking around 6 months after an epidemic struck.
  
b)  Hand washing with an antiseptic wash is the most effective way to stop the spread of disease... and most buildings, subways, and other places have gel handwash available.

[RoadKill]

I would imagine that if the infected person was wearing the mask is where it did the most to protect against transmitting from one to another. Maybe they wear them to be polite and so the ones who are spreading it will feel comfortable wearing a mask too......?

[Chrisj CMA]

I would imagine that if the infected person was wearing the mask is where it did the most to protect against transmitting from one to another. Maybe they wear them to be polite and so the ones who are spreading it will feel comfortable wearing a mask too......?

RDKLL is right those surgical masks were designed to stop germs from leaving the person wearing the mask, not the other way around, although they arent very efficient if the person is moving all around like a normal routine because they dont seal.

[RoadKill]

I would agree that they dont seal and are not very affective but as a cultural or society thing I believe they do it because it's the thought that counts.....OR they think it works. 

[Jack]

St Vincent Hospital in Little Rock requires their nurses to get the shot or wear a mask while at work.  Only other option is termination.  Rediculous!

[fudgie]

I think it helps. It definitly helps with the droplet transmission from person to person. The ER at work gives out the masks for anyone with a cough or flu like symptoms. We have them on the ambulance and are 'provided' every year with one. Not sure where mine is.  ??? We will give them to tb pts or with the definite flu. We also give them to spitters we occasionally get. In my 12 yrs I think I only wore a mask twice. I never get the flu shot. Work pushes it but when they tell me no after I ask if I get workmans comp if I get sick, I don't get it. I get sick anyway every year. The only needles I like have ink in them! 

[fudgie]

I would agree that they dont seal and are not very affective but as a cultural or society thing I believe they do it because it's the thought that counts.....OR they think it works. 

They reduce the droplet transmission. You might stop 90% of your spit coming out but sure you'll get some 'spillage'. There not air tight like a SCBA.

[RoadKill]

     "We also give them to spitters we occasionally get"
I prefer pulling their shirt over their head and tying it in front because the hand cuffs are behind the back!  Dont ya wish you guys could do that? Of course some times I wish I could tie them to a gurney too! 

[fudgie]

     "We also give them to spitters we occasionally get"
I prefer pulling their shirt over their head and tying it in front because the hand cuffs are behind the back!  Dont ya wish you guys could do that? Of course some times I wish I could tie them to a gurney too! 

LOL never tried that one!    We have had plenty of cuffed ones. We cuff'm to the cot a time or 2 or to a back board. If not we have soft restraints and some good drugs!