Swine Flu Masks Sport Fun Designs

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - The swine flu outbreak is certainly no laughing matter. But some people are declaring a fashion statement with their surgical masks.

In Mexico City, one man wears a mask with a painted moustache . A woman who works at the Mexicana airlines counter was spotted with a mask with a painted butterfly .

Many people are creating their masks with basic pens and markers. But some people are capitalizing on a "business opportunity" and producing masks with unique designs. Among them -- Yoriko Yoshida , a Japanese artist who has created a series of masks that appear heavily influenced by Japanese samurai headgear. Designer Irina Blok is selling some designs on her site for $10 a piece. "This would make a good Mother's Day gift if they are ready in time... if your mother has a sense of humor about the situation," she writes on her site. Blok says she is donating all proceeds to Children International to help fight swine flu.

For those who aren't necessarily wanting a design, but just a roomier fit, Mint Designs revealed a mask made of an advanced polyester at the Senseware exhibition in Milan.

Back in 2003, when SARS swept Asia, people sported surgical masks decorated with animals, flowers, leopard patterns and even Hello Kitty. On one blog, user thesliver commented , "Well, if you have to protect yourself from SARS then you might as well look stylish."

During flu and allergy season in Japan, people are still seen regularly wearing masks. It's not uncommon to see people riding the subway or walking the streets with a mask on. Many say it's not only to protect themselves from other people's germs, but to protect others from their germs.

"Japan is fastidious to the point of being obsessive," Kyle Cleveland, a cultural sociologist who teaches at Temple University's Tokyo campus, told the Associated Press. "People are willing to acknowledge and recognize the value of not making others sick."

Officials say that wearing surgical masks offers questionable protection from swine flu and other viruses. The Centers For Disease Control states on their Web site that "very little is known about the benefits of wearing face masks and respirators to help control the spread of pandemic flu."

Still many have the attitude of better safe (and stylish) than sorry. Blogger Daniel Tana writes , "Go ahead and strut down the virus-ripe city streets and around the airports with one of these babies!"