Some beards could make face masks ineffective, according to CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that facial hair may interfere with the effectiveness of face masks and respirators used to combat the spread of diseases such as coronavirus.

As the deadly virus, which has infected more than 81,000 people, continues to spread around the globe, millions of people are relying on face masks to keep them from spreading or coming in contact with germs.

However, according to a 2017 graphic regarding facial hair and respirator use shared by the health organisation, having a beard, stubble, or mutton chops can interfere with the protection provided by the mask, which works to remove contaminants from the air and covers at least the nose and mouth.

“If your respirator has an exhalation valve, some of these styles may interfere with the valve working properly if the facial hair comes in contact with it,” the graph explains.

Other facial hair styles that may present a problem include chin curtains, extended goatees, circle beards, hulihee, French fork and ducktail, the graphic states.

Those who have a soul patch, side whiskers, pencil moustache, walrus moustache or handlebar moustache are okay, however.

According to the graphic, facial hair that is safe for respirator use also includes toothbrush, lampshade, Zorro, chevron, and zappa.

On social media, where the graphic has gone viral amid the influx in people purchasing and wearing face masks, people were amused by the in-depth chart.

“We all knew the age of facial hair would come crashing down someday I just didn't think it would be coronavirus and the CDC that did it,” one person tweeted.

Another said: “If you didn’t know there is a type of facial hair called houlihee, coronavirus induced the CDC to address this gap in your knowledge. A propos face-fitting masks.”

Those who have problematic facial hair shouldn’t worry, however, as the CDC does not advise the routine use of respirators outside of the workplace, nor does it recommend that healthy individuals wear face masks to protect against coronavirus.

“There’s little evidence they are very effective,” Jimmy Whitworth, professor of international public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine previously told The Independent regarding face masks. “They’re more beneficial if you have a virus and don’t want to pass it on than to prevent catching anything.”

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