Retailers who cash in on community fears about SARS by exaggerating the health benefits of surgical masks could face fines of up to $110,000.
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"Those masks are only effective so long as they are dry," said Professor Yvonne Cossart of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of Sydney.
"As soon as they become saturated with the moisture in your breath they stop doing their job and pass on the droplets."
Professor Cossart said that could take as little as 15 or 20 minutes, after which the mask would need to be changed. But those warnings haven't stopped people snapping up the masks, with retailers reporting they are having trouble keeping up with demand.
I remember that in happening in Sydney. The large Asian community was going far more crazy with mask wearing than they usually do! There was a lot of profiteering with mask sales!
The "science" around masks is complete bullshit.
It is insane that they have become so accepted.
From 2003...
I remember that in happening in Sydney. The large Asian community was going far more crazy with mask wearing than they usually do! There was a lot of profiteering with mask sales!