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Disposable Face Masks are only for doctors and nurses working in hospitals or offices. For a long time, it was the only time you saw them, but now you're starting to see them everywhere you look, especially during flu season. Don't think of these as things you may never use, as you may find them useful in your life, or even necessary at some point. To some, they may seem expensive, almost a dollar, but if they get the job they want to do, they're well worth the price.
Today, if you go to the hospital during or before flu season, you'll see a pile of disposable masks at the door. Most offices and hospitals now require you to wear one of these if you have the flu, have been exposed to the flu, or are simply concerned that someone else you pass may have the flu. This is very effective in stopping the spread of the flu in healthcare settings where you are most likely to get the flu. Feel free to use these without feeling silly, unless of course you like the flu.
If you have newborns during flu season, you may want to prepare disposable masks for visitors at home if you are unsure if they are healthy. If you bring home a premature baby during flu season, you have to be more careful as they may have a weaker immune system. Lock down your home if you don't like guests giving your premature baby the flu. There may be some people, such as grandparents, that you may wish to allow to visit. You can provide them with masks and let them know these are non-negotiable.
You can also use these for other reasons. If you're allergic to dust, cleaning and cleaning your home means stirring up the things that give you wheezing, coughing, and even hives outbreaks. You can help keep some of the dust out of your lungs when you try a disposable mask. While there's really no way to keep dust out of your home, or even your lungs, you can stop some dust from entering your nasal passages with a mask. You can also wear these if you're out in the spring and your allergies are getting their best. It may not look pretty, but using it on days when the pollen is particularly bad will make you feel better.
These are not typical masks, they do have their limitations. Disposable masks might help you when you're doing things like painting or dealing with fumes, but then again, they're probably not the right type. If you're considering using these for similar purposes, make sure you buy the right type. They won't protect you if you don't use materials that are designed to keep the materials you're using out. There are masks out there for all types of jobs, so check out and buy one that fits your needs.