Researchers Design Nose Mask You Can Wear While Eating

Researchers in Mexico have designed a mask you can wear while eating and drinking as it only covers your nose.

The specially-designed nose masks are to be worn underneath your bog-standard face mask, but come into their own when the time comes to pull down the full mask to eat or drink.

Scientists from the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico said in a press release that the mask 'will help reduce infections by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus - whose main route of entry into the body is by air' but warns that they are 'not intended to replace the masks'.

gob.mx

Instead they say the masks will help to 'reinforce measures' when carrying out certain activities such as eating, drinking or visiting the dentist.

Dr. Acosta Altamirano, who is a specialist in immunology and worked on the mask, said the mask will provide 'an important contribution' to help stop the spread of the virus.

He added: "In this way, it will be possible to have greater protection, especially when it is difficult to maintain a healthy distance in restaurants, long-term flights or dental appointments."

The researchers are now in talks with a company who will produce the nasal masks.

While wearing a face mask is pretty much second nature to most of us now, last month one shopper who didn't have one came up with a rather unusual idea to replace it.

The woman, who was shopping in a supermarket in South Africa, was asked to wear a face covering while in the store.

However, she said she didn't have one, and instead got creative.

In the clip, the security guard can be seen asking the woman to put on a face mask, threatening to remove her from the shop if she doesn't put one on.

The woman then reaches under her dress and removes her knickers, before placing them onto her face as a makeshift mask.

Another shopper appears to congratulate her, saying: "Well done."

In December 2020, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed that not wearing a face mask in public is a criminal offence.

He said: "We now know that the simplest and most effective way to reduce transmission of the coronavirus is to wear a cloth mask that covers the nose and mouth whenever in public.

"Until now the owners and managers of shops and public buildings, employers and operators of public transport have had a legal responsibility to ensure that everyone entering their premises or vehicle is wearing a mask."

He added: "A person who does not wear a mask could be arrested and prosecuted.

"On conviction, they will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment."

Topics: World News, Mexico

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19