How useful are face masks in helping combat the spread of flu and colds?

Friday 01st May, 05:28 AM JST

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PoisonedV at 12:53 PM JST - 1st May

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those look like dustmasks, not ultra high tech hepa filtered masks- wouldnt a virus only be effectively blocked out by a filter working at a microscopic level? Not to mention the other problems brought up, so I don't see how it would help. Biology isn't my area of science, though, so I'm not qualified to make any real judgements
telecasterplayer at 02:51 PM JST - 1st May

This isn't a matter of opinion, either masks work or they don't.
Nessie at 04:23 PM JST - 1st May

"Face masks"? In the sense that "face masks" make you look like the slasher from an eighties gore flick, I think they're very effective. "Surgical-style masks," on the other hand...
Nessie at 04:24 PM JST - 1st May

This isn't a matter of opinion, either masks work or they don't.

Next thing you'll be wanting evidence.
realist at 04:38 PM JST - 1st May

Face masks as used in Japan are useless - as waste of space and time. People wearing them look ridiculous.
nandakandamanda at 06:05 PM JST - 1st May

So, to sum up, we are all agreed that they are about 60~70% useful then?
flammenwerfer at 06:20 PM JST - 1st May

they are useful for people who are already sick to provide a barrier between us and their breathing, coughing and sneezing - not a perfect barrier by any stretch but slightly better than nothing.
bamboohat at 07:21 PM JST - 1st May

Flu, swine flu, normal flu, even colds are most contageous BEFORE symptoms appear. So if you wait until you feel like you've got something to wear a mask, it's too late. AND generally the mode of infection is

germs on surface-->germs on hands-->germs in eyes

In either case the mask only provides the protection of a placebo, which is proven to be much better than nothing.
jonnyboy at 07:33 PM JST - 1st May

vs. making a habit of getting a good night's sleep? not at all
nandakandamanda at 10:59 PM JST - 1st May

This lady doctor reckons they can be useful: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Swine-Flu-Dr-Sarah-Jarvis-Answers-Questions/Article/200905115273077?lpos=UKNewsFirstHomePageFeatureTeaserRegion0&lid=ARTICLE15273077SwineFluDrSarahJarvisAnswersQuestions
Disillusioned at 11:57 PM JST - 2nd May

They are effective for removing small dust particles from the air and do work well in controlling allergy attacks from the pollen. However, as an effective barrier against a flu virus they are a placebo. For gauze masks to be effective against viruses they need to be 12x surgical grade gauze mask and discarded every 20 minutes. As soon as they get moist and warm they actually create the perfect environment for bacteria to live. Furthermore, flu viruses are not usually transmittable by air. They are usually transmitted by sharing a handrail and wiping your finger in your eye.
techall at 12:06 AM JST - 3rd May

A virus goes through a gauze or cottom mask like a gnat through a chain link fence. However, they reduce the "range" of fluids expectorated via a caugh or sneeze.
WMD at 09:37 AM JST - 3rd May

Of course they're useless but in japan that's not the point. It's a pretend show of gaman and consideration for others. Ha ha! They should learn to cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze etc. Anyway as japanese all seem to have to be the same and do the same things, they have no choice but to wear them. However it would be far more effective for the invalides to wear gloves so that they don't contaminate surfaces. But Japanese don't wear gloves as they would never do something that that the group isn't doing.
Fadamor at 01:00 PM JST - 3rd May

A facemask will only catch the ejection of mucous and saliva when the person wearing it coughs or sneezes. Any airborne contagions are going to be breathed in because the mask is not air-tight. As such, wearing one to PREVENT getting sick is a waste of time, but if you already have symptoms and can't stay at home, it will reduce (not eliminate) the chance that you'll get someone else sick. So based on the title of this thread, a facemask IS useful in combating the SPREAD of colds, but doesn't help the wearer from getting sick themselves.
jonnyboy at 09:15 PM JST - 6th May

it's like anything over here; if a certain "critical mass" is reached everyone will feel obliged to partake