Please let me never be one of those reactionary people wearing surgical masks on the bus

[Cant trust em]

We're not there yet, people! Moreover, everyone is saying that these masks aren't even effective.

[stray cat]

1. In some countries they wear them so as not to infect others - ie considerate

[havocmom]

6. Yep, but too many Americans think it's their god given right to infect others

:grr:

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. They have another job

they give people a measure of control when they feel they're losing it

[RufusTFirefly]

3. Be the first on your block!

[dubeskin]

4. People around here are wearing them as a joke

I think the only people who are really taking it seriously are the media.

[FSogol]

5. Some people wear them for the pollen. n/t

[JuniperLea]

7. I've known people who wear them all the time regardless

of any impending flu. Some people have compromised immune systems, for one reason or another. Some people have diseases that make them more susceptible to opportunistic diseases that could take hold should they contract a common cold.

I'm a little more than tired of the holier-than-thou, you're such a freaking scaredy cat mob around here.

I thought liberals were a lot more live-and-let-live than that.

[MercutioATC]

8. "Everybody" is wrong, then.

No, the masks are not fine enough to stop individual viruses...however, individual influenza viruses don't just float around in the air.

What masks do is provide a physical barrier to droplets from coughing and sneezing...it's these droplets that contain the virus.

In addition, they prevent one from touching their nose and mouth with potentially infected hands.


Breathe in other people's infected mucus if you like...I'll stick with masks.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. You're actually wearing masks around in public?

:rofl:

[MercutioATC]

14. No, but I will if this becomes widespread.

[Warpy]

13. Once those droplets dry, you inhale them right throughthe mask,

unless you've gone to a medical supply store and sprung for a HEPA mask.

However, you're right about the barrier to touching your nose or mouth with those contaminated fingers.

For infected people, those masks do provide a barrier to droplets from sneezing and coughing, but if you've ever sneezed inside a mask, you'll know it's an experience you don't want to repeat.

The best advice remains to wash your hands before you touch your face, use the back of your wrist to scratch until you can wash your hands, cough into your elbow, and if you're sick, GO HOME AND STAY THERE until you are well.

[MercutioATC]

15. Not true.

Masks are far from 100% protection, but they DO provide some benefit.

The rest of your advice is spot-on.

[glitch]

9. People undergoing chemo need to wear them in public places.

And other people who have their immune systems compromised.

edit: even when there isn't a flu alert. But I am sure you aren't laughing at them.

[MADem]

11. If you have a cold and NEED to go out, you're a jerk if you don't

shield your snot from the public. Some people like a mask for that reason--it assures them that they won't sneeze all over someone unintentionally.

[eShirl]

12. how bout if I Bedazzle it to accessorize with my Jacko glove?

[izquierdista]

16. Be glad it's not intestinal flu

People would be wearing diapers on the bus. :rofl:

[NorthernSpy]

17. The mask mostly keeps YOU from spreading germs.

If you don't have a mask, you can make a habit of sneezing/coughing into the bend of your elbow, rather than covering your mouth and nose with your hands. Compared to your hands, you're far less likely to touch the inside of your elbow to doorknobs, faucets, countertops, items in the grocery store, etc, etc. This reduces the chances of sharing your pathogens with others.

[Cant trust em]

20. That's my move. And I get the added benefit of not looking ridiculous.

Win-win, baby!

[demokatgurrl]

18. They don't work against viruses anyway n/t

[GreenTea]

19. I prefer to be one of those angry guys with a shopping bag screaming about the good of socialism!

(But without the drool coming out of my mouth)....

Universal Health Care NOW!

[Brother Buzz]

21. Hey, cool your jets. This pollen season and some people need to wear those masks becaause... ..

they DO work on pollen.

[Libertyfirst]

22. Those of us with compromised immune systems need to wear the masks. n/t