Face masks ... the new "it" accessory

A couple, who asked not to be identified, returns from Mexico wearing face masks as a precautionary measure against the swine flu, Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) ORG XMIT: AZMY102

Are face masks becoming the new “it” accessory?  With cases of swine flu starting to increase in the United States, people are reaching for what they think is one of the easiest precautions against the illness.

The Centers for Disease Control is not recommending that people wear the masks, saying there is limited evidence that they effectively prevent the spread of the disease. That’s not stopping mask manufacturers and suppliers from doing a little self-promotion, which explains the e-mail I received about Ice-Qube preparedness sytems at www.ice-qube.com. The site  is offering four face shields with Ice-Qube Emergency Planners for $4.99 and 10 face shields with Ice-Qube Emergency Planners for $9.99.

Face masks as street fashion? Let’s hope this is a short-lived trend.