Growing Concern Among Airport Workers About Swine Flu

The union representing 22,000 Border Patrol and Transportation Security Administration agents is asking Homeland Security to lift its ban on workers wearing face masks.

They argue those workers come in close contact with people who may be infected.

Baggage handlers also have expressed concern.

International service agents at SFO who push the ill and elderly in wheelchairs say they've been told to wash their hands frequently and use sanitizers.

Adan Mantilla, SFO service agent said, "They don't want to get infected. It's scary you know. You got people who have kids and they don't want to infect their kids as well."

And even with a State Department warning against non-essential travel to Mexico, there were still plenty of people at SFO Wednesday night making the decision to head to the heart of the world's swine flu outbreak.

Some were returning home to Mexico while others were going on vacation and had the option of canceling their travel plans.

Nancy Milanko of Perth, Australia wasn't worried, "Why should I? It's like the flu and it's treatable."

But Buffy Balderson of San Francisco had second thoughts about her trip to Cancun. She tried to change her route to avoid Mexico City. "I have masks in my bag that I got at Kaiser and I got a flu shot," said Balderson "I'm trying to not get overly scared with all the hype. And I think my plane will be pretty empty."

An attorney who was heading home to Mexico City said the Mexican capital is virturally shut down with the schools and restaurants closed.

Daniel Basurto said his employees there are working from home just as many other workers in Mexico City. "They are working through internet, through website," said Basurto.

Some of the travelers returning from Mexico wore the now-familiar face masks that have become a symbol of this health crisis.

But not everyone coming home had them.

Erika Ironside of Stockton said, "They were sold out of face masks everywhere, couldn't find any hand sanitizer. Pretty scary. Glad to be back in the United States."