Beards and masks

[Fambo Number Mive]

If one is not wearing a medical grade mask but a dust mask or cloth mask, should they shave before wearing one? I usually do before going shopping wearing my mask but I was on a Zoom call with a friend who has a big bushy beard and he told me goes shopping with a mask. Should I advise him to shave? Do I need to keep shaving the day before I put my mask on? I think there needs to be clearer guidance around masks.

[Sebastian Cobb]

Probably matters if you're expecting the mask to filter stuff you breathe in, but the cloth and paper masks that stop you potentially passing it to others aren't sealed anyway and aren't that fine so I doubt it makes any difference.

My biggest problem is they cause my glasses to steam up.

[chveik]

it does make a difference. medical advice is that you need to shave before wearing a mask.

[earl_sleek]

Unless you are wearing a clinical mask (which you won't be, outside of a clinical setting where it has been determined this type of mask is needed) which needs to seal on the face it doesn't make a difference. I work in care, we are using Type IIR fluid resistant masks but beards aren't an issue unless they're so big and bushy the mask cannot be worn at all.

[Sebastian Cobb]

it does make a difference. medical advice is that you need to shave before wearing a mask.

Those are for n95's and the like that need a seal though.

https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/workforce/nhs-staff-urged-to-shave-off-beards-so-coronavirus-masks-will-fit-28-02-2020/

[olliebean]

I've just been using a T-Shirt tied around my head so it wraps around the sides and completely covers my beard.

[Thomas]

Beards and masks

Graham Linehan finally learns of the pandemic.

[shiftwork2]

I think there needs to be clearer guidance around masks.

When it comes to face coverings I don't think I'd care too much about a beard.  It'll greatly minimise droplet spread whatever you do.

[Birdie]

Who would have thought a virus rather than near universal derision would have brought about the death of the hipster beard?