The highway from Japan's capital to Sendai begins to buckle a few kilometers before drivers put on surgical masks to protect them from possible radiation emitted by the crippled nuclear reactors ahead. Full story
Health workers caring for patients who have or may have swine flu should wear a special type of mask called an N95 respirator, not looser-fitting surgical masks, the Institute of Medicine advised Thursday. Full story
Twenty-one people have died from the flu here, and 1,390 have been confirmed infected in this nation of 1.2 billion people. But fear of the flu has outpaced the virus itself. Full story
It was truly a lonely planet Saturday for street vendors and restaurateurs in Mexico City's favorite tourist spots. Full story
It seemed an odd precaution, given his risky way of life: A man targeted by drug traffickers was wearing a germ-blocking surgical mask when his bullet-riddled body was found. Full story
With no schools, no movie theaters and no cafes to while away the hours because of the swine flu scare, many of Mexico City's 20 million residents are going stir crazy. Full story
A demonstrator wars a surgical mask reading "No thanks" as he marches against US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit, in Santiago on March 20, 2011. Obama will make his first official visit to Chile next March 21.
** CORRECT DAY OF THE WEEK ** A pedestrian walks through the central business district wearing a face mask in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009. Malaysia has fixed the price of face masks to prevent price gouging by traders because of high demand amid swine flu. An official from the Do
In this photo taken Sunday, June 14, 2009 provided by Duhon Studio Photography in Skokie, Ill., Ilana Jackson, left, and Jeremy Fierstien wear surgical masks during their wedding in Highland Park, Ill. The couple wore masks and latex gloves after finding out less than 48 hours before the wedding tha
RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS - MAY 3: Prestige Ameritech employee Cynthia Risner inspects Encompass ProGear disposable surgical masks May 3, 2009 in Richland Hills, Texas. The Texas based company has increased production of the masks from two shifts working five days a week to 24 hours a day, seven days a
