Sunday May 27, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

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

Have Your Say May. 01, 2009 - 05:28AM JST ( 29 )

Order by Time Order by Popularity

29 Comments

0

zaboombaMay. 01, 2009 - 07:47AM JST

If worn by flu/cold infected subjects, the masks prevent the illnesses from spreading rather than protecting who's wearing them.
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noboritoMay. 01, 2009 - 08:53AM JST

Notginger most warm moist environments are actually bad for incubation of viruses. These need cooler drier environments i.e. it is easier to get the flu in winter. The virus speed in replication decreases in this environment.
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nandakandamandaMay. 01, 2009 - 09:54AM JST

A mask alone in the hands of an idiot may not be too much help.

A mask, plus a set of tips on proper use, can be a useful barrier both in and out, especially with some of these amazing Japanese 99% cut jobbies.

As an example of 'proper use', the mask needs to be changed every few hours.

If you want 100% protection, then you need goggles etc., but a mask has to help in slowing down the spread of explosive airborne particles.

The above is just my personal opinion, adjusted by exposure to the world media.
0

TokyoXtremeMay. 01, 2009 - 11:01AM JST

Masks aren't as useful as taking vitamins C and D for cold and flu, respectively.
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TokyoXtremeMay. 01, 2009 - 11:02AM JST

And by "useful", I meant "effective". Sigh.
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RichardsonMay. 01, 2009 - 11:35AM JST

The ordinary face masks that people wear when they have a cold are indeed good only for preventing the relatively large particles ejected by coughing, sneezing, etc. from passing through, but do not stop the tiny particles that most pathogens ride from entering.

For that, you need a surgical mask, of the rating N95. Theye have a much smaller mesh, and should be effective. It would be advisable, however, to disinfect these periodically.

Probably the best thing to have on hand in the event of the flu is MMS. See: http://www.bioredox.mysite.com/CLOXhtml/CLOXprot.htm This article is on the website of a physician/researcher who has specialised for some time in oxidative therapy, especially involving activated sodium chlorite, which is what MMS is. Clicking "Back to home page" will reveal many other pages on chlorine dioxide uses.

This page by the principal researcher and developer of the MMS protocol deals with MMS and the Swine Flu virus. http://jimhumble.biz/biz-newflu.htm
0

Patrick SmashMay. 01, 2009 - 12:16PM JST

They're very useful for severe hangovers. If you get really drunk, stick one on and go to work. It's an act of heroism then. They won't stop the flu.
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TatsumaruMay. 01, 2009 - 12:49PM JST

If they werent effective on some level, doctors and medical staff wouldn't use them. Having the right one for the right situation is what is important.

But colds and flus aren't always a function of airborne activity. They prevent one level of entry, assuming it wasn't on food in the first place. In general, it is a semi-effective and courteous thing to do for those around them than combating anything "contact-contact" transmitted sickness. So it will help against getting it while walking down the street, but once you touch something, you still run the risk of getting it.
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PoisonedVMay. 01, 2009 - 12:53PM JST

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
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telecasterplayerMay. 01, 2009 - 02:51PM JST

This isn't a matter of opinion, either masks work or they don't.
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NessieMay. 01, 2009 - 04:23PM JST

"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...
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NessieMay. 01, 2009 - 04:24PM JST

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

Next thing you'll be wanting evidence.
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realistMay. 01, 2009 - 04:38PM JST

Face masks as used in Japan are useless - as waste of space and time. People wearing them look ridiculous.
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nandakandamandaMay. 01, 2009 - 06:05PM JST

So, to sum up, we are all agreed that they are about 60~70% useful then?
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flammenwerferMay. 01, 2009 - 06:20PM JST

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.
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bamboohatMay. 01, 2009 - 07:21PM JST

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.
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jonnyboyMay. 01, 2009 - 07:33PM JST

vs. making a habit of getting a good night's sleep? not at all
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nandakandamandaMay. 01, 2009 - 10:59PM JST

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
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DisillusionedMay. 02, 2009 - 11:57PM JST

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.
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techallMay. 03, 2009 - 12:06AM JST

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.
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WMDMay. 03, 2009 - 09:37AM JST

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.
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FadamorMay. 03, 2009 - 01:00PM JST

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.
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jonnyboyMay. 06, 2009 - 09:15PM JST

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