英语听力文摘 English Digest 73、外科口罩的功效

　　Dohn,Surgical¹ masks aren’t designed to protect you. They’re designed to protect those around you from the germs you might be spreading, by blocking those droplets² you shoot out when you sneeze or cough. Surgical masks also divert airflow so that you don’t end up breathing directly on the people you’re talking to.
But why don't masks work the other way too?
Imagine trying to blow out a candle by sucking in your breath. You’d have to hold the candle close to your face, right?
I guess.
That’s because the air we breathe in comes from all directions, while the air we exhale³ is more directed. So for a mask to filter the air you’re inhaling⁴, it would need to form a seal around your mouth and nose. Surgical masks aren’t designed to do that. Instead, doctors protect themselves from airborne infections by wearing special snug-fitting respiratory masks, which filter out about ninety-five percent of a given concentration of particles.
So can I just buy one of those?
You could,but some require a professional fitting, and all are pretty uncomfortable for long periods of time. Plus Dohn, keep in mind that most colds spread from mouth to hand, and hand to mouth. So while a mask might help somewhat, and also help keep you from touching⁵ your nose and mouth, the number one way to protect yourself from the common cold is to wash your hands in soap and water.
droplet:小滴
sneeze:打喷嚏
divert:使转向
filter:过滤
mask:面罩;面具
particle:微粒

1 surgical   

adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的

参考例句：

• He performs the surgical operations at the Red Cross Hospital.他在红十字会医院做外科手术。
• All surgical instruments must be sterilised before use.所有的外科手术器械在使用之前，必须消毒。

2 droplets   

n.小滴( droplet的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Droplets of sweat were welling up on his forehead. 他额头上冒出了滴滴汗珠。 来自辞典例句
• In constrast, exhaled smoke contains relatively large water droplets and appears white. 相反，从人嘴里呼出的烟则包含相当大的水滴，所以呈白色。 来自辞典例句

3 exhale   

v.呼气，散出，吐出，蒸发

参考例句：

• Sweet odours exhale from flowers.花儿散发出花香。
• Wade exhaled a cloud of smoke and coughed.韦德吐出一口烟，然后咳嗽起来。

4 inhaling   

v.吸入( inhale的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He was treated for the effects of inhaling smoke. 他因吸入烟尘而接受治疗。 来自辞典例句
• The long-term effects of inhaling contaminated air is unknown. 长期吸入被污染空气的影响还无从知晓。 来自互联网

5 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。