N95 Respiratory Masks Help Prevent Swine Flu

I wanted to post an update to what I had written yesterday about how normal surgical masks DO NOT prevent the users from susceptibility to swine flu, but rather guard the flu from spreading from people who already have contracted the virus by blocking particles leaving the mouth and nose through sneezing, coughing, and breathing.  

However, there is a better solution!  The CDC recommends the use of N95 respiratory masks, which filter out 95% of particles in the air.  There is a great list of NIOSH approved masks on this site and the instructions on how to use them (the instruction are important, you need to create as tight of a seal as possible, otherwise they are much less effective). 

Below is an excellent list I found here giving a rundown of the best respirator masks.  The author also gives some good advice - buy these as soon as possible before prices skyrocket which may happen if the flu get out of control.  If it doesn't, just be glad that you have them hanging around for another time.  It's never a bad idea to be prepared.

1. Milwaukee N95 Respirator Mask - 20 piece - (eligible for Amazon Prime shipping) -$5.99
2. 3M 8000 Particle Respirator N95, 30-Pack - $10.99
3. NIOSH N95 Respirator Dust Mask (Box of 20) - $22.10
4. Gerson 27377 N95 Particulate Respirator Mask (20 pack) - $14.99
5. 3M 9211 Disposable N95 Respirator,Collapse Resistant 3-Pan Design w/Cool-Flow Valve (Pack of 10) - $18.00
6. 3M 9210 Series Flat Fold N95 Respirator - 20 Per Box - $23.00
7. Moldex 2207N95 - Alternate Size Particulate Respirator N95 Dust Mask, Sold by the Box of 10 Masks - $18.45
8. Willson N95 Respirator, Basic, Size: M/L (Medium/Large), Respiratory Face Mask -$3.49
9. 3M Health Care N95 Particulate Respirator And Surgical Mask Small - $26.08
10. Nexcare All Purpose Mask - 5 ea - $6.19

Any of these will do, but as I said, order quickly before things get out of hand and there aren't stockpiles of these things lying around.  Trust me your going to want one.