Mexico City runs out of surgical masks

If you live here in Mexico City, you may have seen the sign at the local pharmacy: "No hay cubrebocas" (We don't have masks). Fear of catching or transmitting the H1N1 swine flu virus has made the sale of surgical masks perhaps the only bright spot in an economy that's reeling from school and business closures and an anxious populace.

But do the masks offer anything more than psychological comfort? Does it matter what your mask is made of? What's the proper way to wear and use a mask? The internet is alive with the mask debate. Here, we bring you a roundup of roundup of relevant articles, information and opinions.

El Universal, Mexico City: Mexico City has run out of masks
The gist: Mexico's capital city has run out of masks, and Mexico City Minister of Health Armando Ahued, is asking Mexico City residents to make their own masks. 

CDC, Atlanta Georgia:
The gist: Masks, respirators and other protective equipment are recommended for frontline health care providers or others in close contact with sick people, but not for the general population. A more effective general strategy is to stay home and avoid close contact with others and wash hands frequently. This website has comprehensive and up-to-date information on the course of the epidemic and prevention measures.

CNN: Masks keep you from spreading illness
The gist: masks are most effective in keeping sick people from spreading the illness, rather than keeping well people from catching it.

The Times Online, London: Americans told to wear masks as swine flu spreads around the globe
The gist: Some US healthcare professionals are advising citizens to use masks, including painter's masks available at the hardware store.

Yahoo! News: Mexicans put faith in masks, but do they work?
The gist: Mexican and American health authorities split over the effectiveness of masks

Scientific Blogging: Face Mask That Kills Swine Flu Readied for Fight Against Possible Pandemic
The gist: Hong Kong company claims supermask mask kills 99.9% of bacteria and germs on contact

The Los Angeles Times: Do face masks help prevent swine flu infection?
The gist: Don't count on those local pharmacy masks. If you want protection, get an N95 respirator. And dispose of those masks after each use.

The Chicago Tribune: Swine-flu masks can blind us to truth
The gist: Flu mask fever hits Chicago, but typical masks don't offer protection

Slate.com: Do Surgical Masks Stop Swine Flu? Probably not.
The gist: Respirators are better than masks, but even these aren't foolproof. Geek alert: this article contains some great scientific facts transmission and mask efficiency.