Sickness and Air Travel...

[Mrs. Charming]

I know this sounds weird, but my mom wants to buy N95 surgical masks for the plane ride in case we're stuck near a sick passenger. Is this a smart idea or overkill? Will they look at us like we're kooks, or even worse, terrorists?

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, I'm would think that some might think that she (your mom) had some kind of issue.
Really, air travel isn't going to make you sick. I travel quite often, throughout the year, and I have never gotten sick after flying. You are just as likely to pick something up while sitting at the gate, or in the bathroom at the airport.
Then, once you get to your destination, there are many ways to get a germ. But, if it's going to make her more comfortable, I guess she can get away with it. I would feel stupid doing it though. Those who have compromised immune systems wear them so I guess it may be more common than before.

 

[Nurse_Mommy4]

Have you ever worn a N95 mask? They are certainly not the most comfortable thing to wear, at my hospital us nurses had to be fitted to make sure the standard sizes (small, regular, etc) worked for us because they don't fit everyone. I wouldn't want to wear one for hours!

As the PP mentioned germs are everywhere and the best thing is to make sure you wash your hands especially before eating and use hand sanitizer in between washing.

HTH!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Thank you both We were just there in May and we didn't have a problem on the plane, at the resort, or at the parks. I'd feel so silly wearing one, but I just had that little nagging mom-voice in the back of my head. I guess if she wants to wear one, she can, but I'm going to pass. She just keeps on citing that "well YOU don't watch the news, but hospitals have tents set up OUTSIDE for people like that"... ugh.

Ironically, the same woman is a teacher who works in a germ-fest school.

As long as I'm not the crazy one...

 

[TheWog]

and yes, people will probably look at you funny. It is just out of the ordinary. I don't think they will think you are terrorists though.

 

[crashbb]

and yes, people will probably look at you funny. It is just out of the ordinary. I don't think they will think you are terrorists though.

I'd think that *they* (the ones with the masks) had some illness that they were trying not to spread. Or they were paranoid (the odds of both traveling companions having an uncompromising illness is though, though possible).