[TheLion]

Good pics....do those masks work? I thought I read somewhere that they don't. There is much confusing info on Sars out there.

[First Amendment]

I have read several times that only one kind of mask is any good - (can't remember what it is called but I can check.) Also read that any kind of "germ" masks aren't very good since they were designed to protect patients being operated on from surgeons etc coughing into them. They aren't very good protecting people from breathing in germs. Probably a full face respirator like my husband uses when he refinishes floors would be good!
Another point - the death rate seems to be similar to flu, but that is with good medical care. People have suggested that if no care is available, the death rate may be much higher. Otherwise, why would health orgs be concerned about something no worse than the flu?

[pops88]

For those of us in NZ, there are no masks available. The government bought up all the mask in all varieties.

[July 4th]

Good pics....do those masks work?

Those plain white paper-fiber ones don't work in stopping the virus. They're made for surgeons so they don't get anything in the patient, like drool, or something like that. The benefit to wearing the mask is that you're less likely to touch your nose and mouth, decreasing the risk that you'll give the disease to yourself.

There are face masks that do help in stopping the virus, but they're made of a much different material, are more expensive, and somewhat more uncomfortable.

[zook]

I don't really know whether the masks work or not. They do give you a sense of security, especially when you're sitting near other people. I guess whether they work or not depends on exactly what kind of virus this is and how it travels.