Which Masks Work Best in Fighting the Spread of Germs?

This is a follow up to my article on getting ready for the cold and flu season .  In that article I talk about the need for face masks to help prevent the spread of germs once a child is sick, but before they are picked up and taken home.
In related news, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) recently released a report on which type of masks work best stopping the spread of germs.  In the study they compared expensive small-particle filters, with inexpensive surgical masks.  446 Canadian nurses were studied while treating patients with signs of respiratory illness over a 3 month period.
In the end, the study found no significant difference in fighting the spread of germs or flu between the two groups.
The cost of surgical masks is cheaper than respirators, so it shouldn’t be a problem to pick up a couple.  In fact I did a quick online search and found several places offering surgical masks for under $8 for a box of 50 masks.  Compare that to the cost of one lost day or just the misery of being sick and I think you will agree 8 bucks is worth it.
In my other article I talk more about getting your daycare ready for cold and flu season.  To read that article click here.

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