How to Decorate a Surgical Mask that Controls Swine Flu Exposure

The Swine Flu Epidemic is on the horizon. The public is beginning to take precautions, like wearing surgical masks, to help prevent the spread of Swine Flu. Businesses are open and employees must work. Children are going to school. Families are still traveling and running their day to day errands.

Even though the CDC has not yet recommended the use of surgical masks in public to help prevent the spread of Swine Flu, surgical masks are being seen in airports on travelers and in images from around the world. The Drudge Report had a link to an article in the Mirror featuring pictures of the public wearing surgical masks with some added decoration. Swine Flu is very serious but with any crisis some stress needs to be released. Why not ease tension by decorating a surgical flu mask?

Read on the find out How to Decorate a Surgical Mask.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Surgical Masks for Flu
• Permanent Markers (not water based)
• Creativity

1. Get Some Surgical Masks
   
   There are several types of surgical masks available. The CDC is recommending a N95 mask, same mask used for the avian flu. They can be found at medical supply stores and online.

2. Decorate the Mask
   
   Be creative! Use any type of markers and paints that will not run when wet. Fabric markers or paints and permanent markers will work well. Even though swine flu is a very serious manner, a decorated mask may bring a smile to someone’s face and flu masks may be the next fashion statement.
   
   Draw smiles, or frowns… teeth biting or kisses thrown. If you would like a moustache or a beard, draw one. Big red lips may draw some attention. Have fun with it!
   
   Make sure you draw your art on the “waterproof” side of the mask since this will be the side that the public will see.

3. Wear your Mask
   
   Proper use of the mask is important. Wash you hands before putting the mask on. The cloth side should be worn toward the individual’s mouth and the waterproof side should face the public. Make sure that it fits snuggly around your chin and nose. The metallic strip on the flu mask should be molded securely to the bridge of the nose. Once the mask is in position, don’t fiddle with it or touch it. This will only transfer flu germs to your hands and face.
   
   A MASK NOT WORN CORRECTLY IS LIKE NOT WEARING ONE AT ALL!!!

4. Discard you Masks Often
   
   Even though it may be a piece of art, your mask needs to be thrown away after each use or when it becomes wet, damaged, or soiled. Make sure you wash your hands prior to removing the mask and toss your mask in a garbage container. Try not to touch the outside of the mask where germs may have collected. Wash your hands again after you have thrown away the flu mask.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that it fits snuggly around your chin and nose. The metallic strip on the flu mask should be molded securely to the bridge of the nose.
• Even if you do wear a surgical mask, you should continue to maintain a high standard of personal hygiene because no mask can offer total protection.
• A MASK NOT WORN CORRECTLY IS LIKE NOT WEARING ONE AT ALL!!!

Resources

• Mirror.co.uk News
• CDC Mask Recommendation
• CDC Mask Fact Sheet
• FDA on Masks and N95 Respirators
• N95 Respirator/Flu Mask
• N95 Particulate Filter Respirator and Surgical Mask
• Swine Flu News and Info

[konakai]

on 12/11/2009 Being creative with something as simple as a surgical mask will be great fun for everyone. Thanks for the idea. 5*****

[ajmaddox]

on 12/11/2009 Cute idea.

[hobartian]

on 11/6/2009 This is a terrific article on how to decorate a surgical mask that controls swine flu exposure, making a stressful event into something easier to deal with.

[harvard]

on 11/5/2009 Great tips on locating the silver lining that exists in every cloud. Humor makes the world go `round and you've just discovered a way we can make it spin a little faster and with style. Thank you.

[whoodo]

on 10/30/2009 What fun and how cute. Young children, sick or not, can be easily frightened. A decorated surgical mask will go a long way towards bringing a smile.