It's a cultural thing -- similar to why Americans cover their nose/mouth when they sneeze.

My approach is to keep immunity up as much as possible; on planes I now use the saline nasal spray to stay hydrated, eye drops if needed, and always carry and use hand sanitizer. I'd consider a mask if I were in the high risk group (the affected age, or immuno-compromised), but otherwise...don't you take it off to eat meals or have a drink anyway?

"It's not true that the ONLY people who die from H1N1 have underlying health problems. An infectious disease is a risk to anyone who is alive."

It's a risk in that anyone can catch it, but it's not a serious illness for normal healthy people - less so than 'normal' flu.

Half of my workplace have had it or their children have, and still nobody is wearing a mask. In most people it's just like a cold. One colleague's child was given Tamiflu as he has a weak chest but it's not a big deal to anyone else.

BigRuss--flu deaths do not occur evenly throughout the year. There is a definite flu season.

>> It's a risk in that anyone can catch it, but it's not a serious illness for normal healthy people - less so than 'normal' flu.


I didn't write whether the illness would be serious or not.
Risk means what it means -- it's the possibility of catching H1N1.

And actually, I think it is a big deal when people go to work/school sick and exposes everyone else to catch their illness. The sick person may not mind spreading the illness, but it's really inconsiderate to the rest of the healthy people. I don't care if it's a cold, seasonal flu, or H1N1.

That being said, I don't think that wearing face masks reduces the risk of spreading/catching cold/flu/H1N1.

Paul: I know. This is it. That's why the 7 deaths in six weeks in '08 from Sept. to Oct. is wrong.

Actually there ARE masks that will prevent catching the flu. They are specialized and I happen to have one in my (California) disaster kit. It is a 3M respirator P100. N95 masks are also promoted to prevent catching the flu but I got the P100 cuz it is better, and did not buy it preparing for the flu.

I am not concerned with dying, but who wants the notable discomfort of any flu while traveling?? It would be a long stuffy day wearing one the whole 10 hour trip, but at what cost? smeared makeup?? I think I'm gonna wear it.

I came back from Europe two weeks ago and landed or left in 4 airports,CDG,Nice,FCO,and again CDG and have never seen anyone wearings face masks.

H1N1 causes milder flu in most people than the seasonal strains. I am pretty sure it has caused less fatalities overall than the seasonal strains.

Although the demographic of those affected adversely is admittedly slightly different to 'regular' flu, in that a younger age group seem to be suffering worse symptoms, and whilst some otherwise healthy individuals have died (which is unusual), the majority of mortality is still very much amongst those with underlying health problems.