Should members of the general public wear a mask as protection against SARS?
A. At this present time, masks are not recommended for use by the general public. The only exception would be under special circumstances, whereby a person has come into close contact with a SARS affected individual. Close contact means contact is close enough to have the person’s respiratory secretions or saliva on you. Close contact includes living in the same household as a SARS affected person, providing care to someone who has SARS, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of a person with SARS. To date, all evidence indicates that individuals affected by SARS are not contagious until they begin to exhibit the symptoms associated with SARS, including fever over 38.0 degrees Celsius and one or more of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Related Questions
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