Beard and mustache and the effectiveness of the protective mask. How does facial hair affect protection against the coronavirus?

The topic of the effectiveness of face masks has aroused considerable interest since the beginning of the pandemic. However, not everyone can feel completely safe in them. We are talking not only about people who wear masks under their noses or on their chins, but also those who wear… a beard. At one of the German universities, even students were instructed to shave off their stubble, because despite wearing masks, they pose a threat to others. Exaggeration? Or maybe a scientifically based statement?

1. The authorities of the University of Greifswald instructed their students to shave off their beards and mustaches. This is to increase the effectiveness of face masks, which may not be airtight on people with facial hair
2. An infographic was attached to the letter, indicating which type of facial hair is “safe”
3. Scientists confirm: indeed, masks that stick to the hair, not the face, can create micro-cracks through which air with virus particles passes through
4. Respond before it’s too late. Get to know your Health Index!
5. You can find more about the coronavirus on the TvoiLokony home page

A controversial command from the university

A few days ago, the media heard the news that University students in Greifswald, Germany, received an unusual instruction from the university authorities. People who wear a beard should get rid of their facial hair immediately. Argument? FFP2 masks do not fit tightly to an unshaven face.

The magazine aroused a lot of controversy, and even more the attached infographic, presenting 35 types of facial hair with a mask on. Each one had a mark whether the mask was effective in his case or not.

When the case was publicized, the university defended itself that students were aware that such a rule prevailed at the university, because the authorities had already informed about it. The presented infographic is, in turn, “borrowed” from the CDC, the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and dates from 2017, i.e. before the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC directed it to people who use specialized protective masks in medical work to indicate the most common mistakes in their wearing and thus prevent possible infections while performing their professional duties.

1. What are the types of face masks? [WE EXPLAIN]

The rest of the text below the video.

According to the CDC not every stubble reduces the effectiveness of the face mask. Of the 35 types, 12 were considered “safe”. It is primarily mustache stubble (one of its types aroused a lot of controversy as it reminded the audience of the characteristic type of mustache worn by Adolf Hitler), but “allowed” hair is also the hair above the chin (soul patch type) and sideburns. Most types of classic facial hair have been considered inadvisable – both in the minimalist version, as well as in the bushy beard, and mustache.

1. See also: Seven myths about masks that you need to forget as soon as possible

Co na to science?

Research on the effectiveness of protective masks, which has been conducted all over the world for months, takes into account the assessment of their protection in people with facial hair. And they confirm doubts.

– Even a small gap, 0,2 mm in size, can cause 2 percent to escape from under the mask. up to 8 percent air containing virus particles – said Robinson Peric, a PhD student at the Technical University of Hamburg, adding that the larger the gap, the higher the percentage of air that will pass through the protective barrier of the mask.

“Each leak increases the chance that the virus will pass through the opening, and this can lead to infection,” said Dr. Mona Gohara, assistant professor of clinical dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine. This is why, “for the mask to have any chance of fitting properly, it must be a skin mask, not a hair mask»- she added.

What are the alternatives for stubble wearers?

The order of the German university authorities has been criticized not only because of too far-reaching interference in the private choices of students. The idea was also that at this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, alternatives are already available, and anyone with a mustache and / or beard can increase protection against the coronavirus with a face mask.

Created i.a. special masks for bearded men. They are slightly larger than the standard ones and sometimes have additional straps that allow the mask to be tied behind the ears or at the back of the head to tightly cover the entire face.

1. Also read: Do the masks protect against Omicrons? Experts advise how to increase their effectiveness

Experts also advise such people to take advantage of the opportunities offered by double cloaking. The principle is simple: put the most effective and tight mask at our disposal closer to the face (the FFP2 mask is recommended), and then put on a second mask of a slightly larger size, which will cover any leaks that arise in the places where the first mask adheres. to stubble.

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