Mexicans put faith in masks — but do they work? (AP)

[News Manager]

AP - The cloth patches in green, blue and white are everywhere, clamped tight over the mouth and nose of teachers, toddlers, policemen and drunks. Even the statue at the church of St. Jude, patron of lost causes, has been fitted with a light-blue surgical mask to ward off swine flu.




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[sky2979]

Dont know,...especially with Mexico being the 2nd largest city in the world and of course over populated, its easy for everyone to get infected...lets hope and pray for everyones recovery soon

 

[A Can of Man]

Masks work in that they prevent saliva from spreading here and there. The fabric itself isn't woven tightly enough to block out a virus and of course it doesn't seal over the nose and mouth tightly enough. But yes it should have an effect. People who don't think it does anything are forgetting the obvious.
As for being cautious. You got to tell people that washing, staying clean and dry are important.

 

[03USMC]

Intel I'm getting is that this strain is droplet borne ..sneezes, coughs etc and then transferable by touch from the droplets.

 

[senojekips]

The message here is that all influenza is viral and masks only prevent transmission my containment of droplets. They are more to protect those about you than protect the wearer.

Any preventive measures will help.

 

[A Can of Man]

Exactly. So the mask does have an effect.