5/12    Where can I buy N95 masks for SARS?  I need to send some overseas to
        some relatives.  I called <DEAD>fishersci.com<DEAD>, but they're out of stock.
        Thanks in advance.
        \_ fyi, I ended up paying inflated prices on ebay. -op
        \_ I should normally insert new comments at the bottom, but I make
           an exception this time.  For ordinary, untrained folks, a regular
           unless you come into really close contact with  patients.
           mask is good enough and is actually neither useful nor recommended
           unless you come into close contact with patients.
           Otherwise it is just about as useful as burning vinegar (read:
           useless and meaningless.)  By reading all accounts of the spread
           of the disease so far, it is clear that SARS is far less spreadable
           likely to be caught by surprise.
           than flu or cold in its current form (or you would have it by now)
           but because it is a new type of disease, our immune system are more
           likely to be caught by surprise.  Personal (especially hand) hygiene
           is far more important.  Most people are not trained to wear masks
           of any kind, esp. not the ones designed for medical professional.
           They are likely to move it around, lifting it with unclean hands
           etc.  So please, get more sense and do not spread more rumor and
           create more confusion.  Can you tell you relatives/friends in
           Beijing/Taipei or wherever (-1) not to panic (the disease
           has killed less in total so far than any one of the common
           diseases does in each and every day), (0) to carry on life but stay
           vigilant, (1) not to spit, (2) to wash their hands after toilet and
           before meals or touching soft tissures
           such as eyes, mouth, or, private parts , (3) to be
           responsible and conscientious?  The people in Beijing originally
           thought this is just a problem in Guangzhou and took no notice.
           The people in Taiwan thought this was just a mainland problem and
           they just barred entries of all mainlanders and began celebrating
           the superiority of themselves.  Both were surprised by local
           chains of transmissions.  Disease can start in a hog farm in Ohio
           or Guanzhou, but it can affect anyone.  People in poorer regions
           have less resource to cope with it.  If you guys (not just the
           original poster) are feeling supposedly so different and
           superior for being here, maybe you want it reflected in your
           thoughtfulness and knowledge, rather than the lack thereof?
           Oh yes, the masks.  Forget about it.  They have plenty of masks
           that work.
           \_ ok, so masks are useless.  but it sounds like latex gloves
              might not be a bad idea in certain circumstances, yes?
              like handling money, if you do that at work, or using public
              terminal keyboards, etc.  are people doing that?
           \_ THANK *YOU*
                        roaming in Taipei, not wearing masks, and being
                        treated as an outcast
           \_ Buddy, if I were in Taipei and forced to wear masks everywhere,
              I would be wearing an N95 or N99 mask.  I've also done the
              same research as you have.

           \_ One could argue that the masks are having a "placebo" effect.
              At least people can carry on with their daily lives by wearing
              these masks, as opposed to staying at home and being totally
              afraid to go outside.
        \_ where are you sending them to?  I just sent 500 N95 masks to
           relative in Beijing. I bought 3 cases from a 3M supplier in
           Anaheim.  How many do you want?  I can sell some.  -nivra
        \_ If you are sending it to Taiwan, then, here is a suggestion:
           package it using boxes other than medical supplier.  Ship
           them in small quantities seperately.  Our great democratic
           government is confiscating masks mailed from overseas in the name
           of greater public goods.
           \_ urlP
              \_ #t
              \_ ???
                 \_ Please provide URL if you can.  google returns something
                    but would like something more official.
                    \_ I heard the same from my dad in Taiwan (!original
                       poster).
                    \_ I heard that from the TV news here in TW.
           \_ The govt in Mainland China is confiscating masks at mask
              factorie so they won't be shipped to Taiwan to those who have
              placed orders.
        \_ Try any of the drug stores.  They usually carry some masks.
           However, the three stores I tried last week were out.  My
           aunt in Manhattan were able to get 50 N95 masks.
        \_ is there *any* evidence at all that masks provide any protection
           against SARS?
              \_ The N95 masks are designed to filter out 95% of airborn
                 allergens.  There are N99 masks which are a bit more
                 expensive, but are more likely to keep out virus molecules.
                 The main problem is that listed above, that they should be
                 specially fitted to the wearer and unless they're worn
                 correctly offer no protection.
                 The main point of masks for SARS is to keep virus particles
                 from being aerosolized.  When someone coughs, most of the
                 virus stops at the mask... for that case, even a cotton
                 mask will do.
           \_ No.  go to CDC and WHO websites, they tell you that masks
              are only necessary for medical staff who takes care of the
              patients.  N95 is rated for TB, so, technically, not even
              N95 is proven to be effective against SARS.

              I am in Taiwan righ now and refuse to wear masks.  You can't
              imagine what kind of social outcast I am right now.

              Most effective means of preventing SARS is isolation and
              containment.  But such measure has drastic short-term economic
              consequences, that people prefer an easier way out, despite
              it doesn't serve any usefulness other than sooth the psychie
              of hysterical public.

              In the mean time, the Taiwan government is more worry about
              using this SARS as a stage to get into WHO than trying to
              contain the disease.
              \_ The Mainland Chinese govt worried more about keeping Taiwan
                 out of WHO than trying to help the people in Taiwan, or at
                 least letting them help themselves, to contain the disease.
           \_ No, it's a spread by contact, like a handshake.  However, in
              china/taiwan masks are being used as a fashion statement now
              note the designs of hello kitty and other pop culture icons
              on them.
              \_ WHO web site, SARS epidemiology:
                 "SARS appears to be spread most commonly by close
                 person-to-person contact involving exposure to infectious
                 droplets, and possibly by direct contact with infected body
                 fluids."
                 WHO also says N99/N100 recommended for hospital staff
                 treating SARS patients.  Because, you know, these screen
                 out droplets.
           \_ No, but the WHO still recommends N95 masks for visitors to
              SARS patients and N99/N100 masks for health care workers
              in direct contact with them.  You have that Hong Kong hotel
              where 300 occupants got SARS, and the leading theory is a
              leak in a pipe, but who knows how everyone got it?
              Also:  http://csua.org/u/eb7
              \_ typhoid mary hooker.
        \_ I was astounded yesterday to see three asian kids down by JLS
           with masks on...
        \_ Home Depot. Look in the paint department.
        \_ Try 3M.
                \_ I prefer moldex. http://www.moldex.com They fit better and
                   don't collapse as easy.