Japanese Surgical Masks
When I first came to Japan I frequently saw people wearing surgical masks on the street. I thought to myself, geez there sure is a lot of Doctors in Japan. Later I found out that regular people (non-doctors) like you and I wear surgical masks for a number of reasons.
Out of respect when one is sick, Japanese surgical masks are worn to prevent the spread of germs when coughing and breathing in general.
When one utilizes public transportation some Japanese people will wear surgical masks to cut down the chances of catching others sicknesses.
You will see a lot of Japanese wearing Surgical masks during the flu season which happens to be right now.
Many schools are closed due to the new H1N1 influenza virus. Although personally I think that the media has hyped this new flu up a bit and got many in a panic for no reason at all. Although that’s what the good old media is known best for…fear mongering.
Did you know that around 35,000 people die yearly from the regular run of the mill flu bug, and there have only been 4100 deaths attributed to the new flu worldwide as of the 29th of September according to the World Health Organization.
Do you wear surgical masks where your from? And if you don’t will you start?
Businesses capitalizing in on the surgical mask market here have started producing designer surgical masks including the hello kitty one pictured above.
I have seen other designer surgical masks including Big Lips, Cat Faces, and skulls. Japanese Surgical Masks are a part of the culture here and I think every bit of protection can help, although it is not full proof.
I won’t wear masks, I think it’s no necessary but the designs are very funny.