Such protective equipment can make you dangerous to others.
Sometimes protective fabric masks are equipped with a special valve. In this case, the mask works like this - you inhale air through filters and exhale it through a one-way valve. Thus, warm air comes out from under the mask faster, it becomes easier to breathe, the mask is easier to wear, and glasses will not fog up.
We put on masks for two reasons. Firstly, we hope that they will protect us from COVID-19 (however, disputes are still underway regarding the effectiveness of masks). Secondly, more importantly, the mask does not allow us to infect others, if we are sick and do not suspect it.
The valve allows free passage of air as it exhales. This means that an infected person will spread particles of the virus around him as if he weren’t wearing any protection at all.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend using masks and respirators with valves to prevent infection with this disease.
Such protection can be worn in conditions of smog, dust and smoke - for example, at a construction site or factory where harmful particles are floating in the air. But the mask with the valve will not stop the spread of the virus.
Disposable masks have invaded the beaches of Hong Kong where, for several months, residents have been covering their faces to protect themselves from the new coronavirus.
According to environmental associations, these masks add to the already worrying amounts of plastic waste floating in Hong Kong's waters, writes Agerpres.
"The disposable mask is just another weight we leave to future generations," said Gary Stokes, co-founder of OceansAsia.
Shortly before the pandemic broke out, the Hong Kong environmental organization launched a one-year study on waste and microplastics found on one of the country's most remote and uninhabited islands.
The five most commonly found items were bottles, polystyrene packaging, lighters, disposable cutlery and plastic straw.
Currently, disposable masks float on the surface of the sea, along the beaches and the coast.
Recently, environmentalists identified and collected 70 masks within a radius of 100 meters. A week later, another 30 masks were found.
"Since people started wearing masks, the consequences of this phenomenon are now visible on the beaches," Stokes said.
Hong Kong's nearly 7.5 million people produce six million tons of waste each year, of which only about 30% is recycled.
Who says you can't look good if you cover most of your face with a face mask? The rules of protection against infection with the new coronavirus do not prevent the ladies from the royal families or with high positions in the state to be chic. At the first official engagements during the pandemic, Queen Mathilde of Belgium and the President of Slovakia perfectly matched their protective mask with their clothing.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium (46 years old) recently adopted a bold outfit, with an asymmetrical blouse and intense orange pants, at a meeting with women entrepreneurs from a flower farm. It is the queen's third public engagement since the quarantine was established in Belgium, a country severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
In fact, the queen's visit to Gediflora aimed to address this topic, the impact of coronavirus on the business in Belgium. Coquettish, Mathilde accessorized her outfit with oversized earrings, a gold bracelet, a clutch with green finishes and green sandals.
But the most important accessory was the protective mask, which the queen took care to match with the rest of the outfit.
Slovakian president accused of turning a face mask into an aesthetic accessory.
Zuzana Čaputová, the president of Slovakia, made people angry at the end of March, when she matched her protective mask with a garnet dress, during a political event held in Bratislava. At the time, Slovakia had reported 186 cases of infection with the new coronavirus, and there were many who criticized the president's flirtation.
Other voices have argued that her gesture could be a source of inspiration, especially for young people, who treat the coronavirus pandemic with too much relaxation. In fact, Zuzana's image was compared to the famous Mileena from "Mortal Kombat".
Known for impeccable clothing taste, Queen Letizia of Spain taught a lesson in adequacy during the coronavirus pandemic. On a working visit with her husband, King Felipe, on the largest fresh food distribution platform in Spain, Letizia impressed with her sober, practical outfit and perfectly adapted to the new rules of protection.
While interacting with the workers on the platform, Letizia wore a protective mask and black gloves, matched with black pants and blouse. In fact, at one point, he waved his elbow to avoid direct contact with workers.
Now they are advised to wear not only sick.
WHO Director-General Tedros Hebreyusus, during a new COVID-19 briefing, announced new recommendations for the prevention of coronavirus. Here are the main points:
- Doctors and other medical staff should always wear masks, regardless of whether they work with infected coronavirus infections or not.
- People over 60 years of age, as well as those who have chronic diseases, are advised to wear masks wherever it is impossible to maintain physical distance.
- The governments of the countries should encourage the wearing of masks in any places where it is impossible to maintain physical distance, especially for public transport and shops.
- Those with symptoms similar to coronavirus infection should stay at home. All who contacted him should be quarantined.
- If a sick person or someone who has contacted him needs to leave the house, he must wear a mask.
- WHO considers masks to be of high quality, which consist of three layers of different materials or more.
Previously, the WHO spoke only about the need to wear masks for the sick, because there was insufficient data (apart from clinical studies, which many experts consider to be of little relevance to real life).
A recording with Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Minister Koen Geens, trying to fit a face mask went viral. If the minister tried to get out of trouble with a joke about his ears being too big, political opponents immediately made contact with the way the government handled the new coronavirus crisis.
The Brussels Time states that the scene took place during Koen Geens' visit to a workshop in the province of Brabant. The filmed images show how, due to the fastening system, the minister barely manages to hang his ear mask, reaching first his forehead, then his eyes, and only finally, his mouth and nose.
The one who defended the minister was the author of the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling, who shared the images, saying that she could not laugh at him, because she would do the same and be just as confused and clumsy, especially if it was filmed.
Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès has announced that the restrictions will be lifted gradually, starting with May 11th. First the shops will open, and next week the schools will be reopened, with a limited number of students in each class.
Transparent mask, with a view to the smile, the new fashion in Italy. For whom it is extremely useful
People's inventiveness has never disappointed. As the face mask has become an indispensable accessory all over the world, manufacturers have adapted and found new ways to make it more efficient, more beautiful, more friendly. Thus, transparent protective masks appeared, with a view to the smile. For certain categories of people they are extremely useful.
An Italian company has started producing transparent surgical masks that seem to be in high demand. The center part of the mask is made of polyurethane, well sealed with the rest of the material, can be washed by hand and reused.
These models of masks are useful primarily for people with hearing impairments, which are based on sign language. Restaurant owners also find it extremely useful for waiters who want to show a smiling face. Beauty salon staff and anyone working with the public can use such masks. But not only. And ladies who care about their image and do not want to give up makeup, lipstick, can use such a mask.
"Transparent masks are for everyone. Anyone can use them to have an easier communication, not only through words, but also through gestures, facial expressions, lip movements ", said Dorina Marini, the representative of the factory in Italy, quoted by PRO TV. The cost of such a mask is almost $ 7, and the manufacturer has already had to honor 15,000 orders.