Face Masks May NotProtect from Super-flu

1 If a super-flustrikes,face masks may not protect you.Whether widespread use of masks willhelp,or

harm,during the nextworldwide flu outbreak is a question that researchers are studying furiously.Noresults

have come from theirmask research yet.However,the government says people should consider wearingthem

in certainsituations anyway,just in case.

2 But it's aquestion the public keeps asking while the governments are making preparationsfor the

next flu pandemic.So the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) came up with（提出）prelimi-

nary guidelines（初步指导方针）." We don ' t want peoplewearing them everywhere , " said the CDC. " The

overallrecommendation really is to avoid exposure."

3 When that's notpossible,the guidelines say to consider wearing a simple surgical mask if youare in

one of the threefollowing situations.First,you're healthy and can't avoid going to a crowdedplace.Second,

you're sick andthink you may have close contact with the healthy,such as a family memberchecking on

you.Third,you livewith someone who's sick and thus might be in the early stages of infection,butstill need

to go out.

4 Influenza pandemiccan strike when the easy-to-mutate flu virus shifts to a strain that peoplenever

haveexperienced.Scientists cannot predict when the next pandemic willarrive,although concern is rising

that the Asian birdflu might trigger one if it starts spreading easily from person to person.

5 During the flupandemic,you should protect yourself. Avoid crowds,and avoid close contact withthe

sick unless you mustcare for someone.Why aren't masks added to this self-protection list?Becausethey can

help trapvirus-laden（含有病毒的、充满细菌的）dropletsflying through the air with a cough or sneeze.

Simple surgicalmasks only filter the larger droplets.Besides,the CDC is afraid masks maycreate a false

sense ofsecurity.Perhaps someone who should have stayed home would don an ill-fittingmask and hop on

the subway instead.

6 Nor does flu onlyspread through the air. Say someone covers a sneeze with his or her hand,thentou-

ches a doorknob orsubway pole.If you touch that spot next and then put germy hands on your noseor

mouth,you've beenexposed.It's harder to rub your nose while wearing a mask and so your face mayget

pretty sweaty undermasks.You reach under to wipe that sweat,and may transfer germs caught on theoutside

of the mask straightto the 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 patientlyfor the results of the mask research scientists are still doing.

Paragraph 2_______________

A.Reasons forExcluding Masks From the Self-protection List

B.Effort to Stop FluFrom Spreading

C.When to Use FaceMasks

D.Guideline on MaskUse

E.Warnings From theCDC