If a super-flustrikes,face masks may not protect you.Whether widespread use of masks willhelp,or harm,during the next worldwide flu outbreak is a question that

researchers arestudying furiously.No results have come from their mask researchyet.However,the government says peoph should consider wearing them in certainsituations

anyway, just incase.

2.But it's aquestion the public keeps asking while the government are making preparationsfor the next flu pandemic.So the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions

(CDC)came up withpreliminary guidelines."We don't want people wearing themeverywhere,"said the CDC."The overall recommendation really is toavoid exposure."

3.When that's notpossible,the guidelines say to consider wearing a simple surgical mask if you arein one of the three following situations.First,you're healthy and can't avoid

going to a crowdedplace.Second,you're sick and think you may have close contact with thehealthy,such a, a family member checking on you.Third,you live with someone

who's sick and thusmight be in the early stages of infection,but still need to go out.

4.Influenzapandemics can strike when the easy-to-mutate flu virus shifts to a strain thatpeople never have experienced.Scientists cannot predict when the next pandemicwill

arrive,althoughconcern is rising that the Asian bird flu might trigger one if it startsspreading easily from person to person.

5.During the flupandemic,you should protect yourself. Avoid crowds,and avoid close contact withthe sick unless you must care for someone.Why aren't masks added to this

self protectionlist?Because they can help trap virus-laden droplets flying through the airwith a cough or sneeze. Simple surgical masks only filter the larger

droplets.Besides,theCDC is afraid masks may create a false sense of security.Perhaps someone whoshould have stayed home would don an ill fitting mask and hop on the

subway instead.

6.Nor does flu onlyspread through the air. Say someone covers a sneeze with his or her hand, thentouches a doorknob or subway pole.If you touch that spot next and then

put germy hands onyour nose or mouth,you've been exposed.It's harder to rub your nose whilewearing a mask and so your face may get pretty sweaty under masks.You

reach under to wipethat sweat,and may transfer germs caught on the outside of the mask straight tothe nose.These are the problems face masks may create for their users.

7.Whether peopleshould or should not use face masks still remains a question.The general publichas to wait patiently for the results of the mask research scientists are still

doing.Paragraph6__________.

A.Reasons forexcluding masks from the self-protection list.

B.Effort to stop flufrom spreading.

C.When to use facemasks.

D.Guidelines on maskuse.

E.Warnings from theCDC.