CDC warns men about facial hair dangers as coronavirus spreads

[BigmanPigman]

"Men may need to hack off their muttonchops, void their Van Dykes or pluck their ducktails if they plan on using a respirator, according to information from the CDC about how facial hair can interact with the devices."

"A graphic released by the agency shows the fashionable facial-hair-wearer which styles will conflict with potentially life-saving respirators as the US braces for the quickly spreading coronavirus to emerge state-side."

"Handlebar, walrus, and Zorro mustaches are fine, but the CDC says folks may need to lose their Fu Manchus, Dalis, and Englishes — because they could prevent respirators from making a seal on wearers’ faces."

https://nypost.com/2020/02/26/cdc-warns-men-about-facial-hair-dangers-as-coronavirus-spreads/

[C_U_L8R]

1. So now respirators are good?

I thought the virus is smaller than the filters on everything but medical grade masks?

Also heard they’re better used if you already have the virus (vs preventing the virus).

[BigmanPigman]

3. I have heard both of those statements from health care

professionals. Masks have to be the super fine-filtered variety and the problem with masks is that you have to use your hands to adjust them on your face. That spreads germs from your hands to your mouths and eyes. The masks work better at preventing the spread to others.

Basically, wash your hands constantly and do NOT touch your face, EVER! That is the best advice and it makes sense.

[C_U_L8R]

4. Makes my face itch

Must... not... scratch... nooooooo

[BigmanPigman]

5. I have a mask from when I was a teacher since the kids were always

sick and I always caught their colds. When I went to "Save the ACA" protests a few years ago I got the mask and wrote tRump on it with a big, black Sharpie. Then with a big, red Sharpie I drew a circle with a slash through it. I still have it and will wear it as a political statement and not as a virus protector (since it doesn't work well for that purpose).

[Duppers]

8. Brilliant!

[dweller]

2. meh

i stopped trimming my beard in Dec ..
it's just long enough for me to lift and cover my mouth and nose completely ...
built in respirator 😁

✌🏼

[CaptainTruth]

6. When I hear "respirator" I think of this...

[link:|]

I use one similar to this in my work. You can get different filter cartridges for fine particulates & even chemical filters.

IMHO the paper/cloth face masks don't do much of anything. You need a respirator that makes an airtight seal & has real filter cartridges.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

7. I, for one, am tired of seeing beards.

And I'm not talking about the trimmed to the face, clean, neat beard, but these things that straggle off the chins by 3 or more inches. They seem to be everywhere these days. Far too many men do not keep them trim, neat and CLEAN. They are as susceptible to germs and micro bacteria as a dog's butt. And some of them aren't even that clean. I've seen some scraggly, ugly and filthy beards.

We recently went to one of our favorite eateries. The waiter had this grotesque looking thing hanging off his face. We looked at each other and, without exchanging a word, got up and left, but not before telling the manager (who we've known for years) that this felt like a good time to call the State Public Health Department and find out what the rules were on food handlers and beards.

Enough with the facial hair/macho statement, guys. On most men, it's not attractive, it's gross.

When I was in the NAVY, beards were fashionable, but were always trimmed to regulation, clean and looked nice. You could always tell who served on the submarines. They'd come off cruise and generally hit the base barber shop within a day or two.

Time to clean it up.

[BigmanPigman]

9. I am not a fan of the full beards everyone seems to be growing these days.

Visually I find them unattractive. tRump Jr's comes to mind as a prime example.

[Duppers]

10. I'm with ya!

Hubs just recently grew a mustache & goatee - just a few hrs ago I fussed about it getting too long.
If you're gonna have facial hair, please please keep it neatly trimmed.

[MicaelS]

14. I really hate all the scraggly ones. n/t

[LTG]

11. N95 Respirators

Many, if not most or all, hospital staffs utilize N95 respirators in appropriate situations. The most common being while treating TB patients. The require an extremely tight seal and are very uncomfortable. Facial hair can interfere with a proper seal diminishing its effectiveness.

They must be fit annually to the individual user and the person receives required training in their use. They are used in the prevention of airborne bacterial and viral diseases, particularly respiratory.

That is the type respirator they are talking about and not masks.

Unlikely a person would bother with it consistently, giving how uncomfortable they can be.

[BigmanPigman]

12. That's odd.

My sister gmailed me today that that is the type of mask her husband has ordered and will save me some. She made is seem like they are like all the other masks you see on TV, etc but you sound like it is something all together different.

[LTG]

13. Regular masks

There are anti-viral masks available. Much like surgical masks but tighter fitting. Not quite as effective but very good for some measure of protection from viruses. The is even one in between the two.

I assumed the N95 as they used the word respirator rather than the simpler word “mask”.

No matter the type, they suffer from both lack of consistency of use and against other vectors of infections. I’ve read that the virus can remain alive and active outside the body on various objects for 9 days.

The biggest risks are we so often absentmindedly touch our face so often and fail to wash our hands thoroughly and often.

[Kaleva]

15. No mention of pubic hair?

[BigmanPigman]

16. Now that you mention it.....

any hair in that area has been non-existant since about 2005. That makes me wonder though...who would wear a mask down there and why?

[47of74]

17. If the Orange Shitbiscuit, Rush, or Fox News told Branch Trumpvidians they needed to wear one...

...in order to protect what passes for their junk they would. And claim anyone who isn't wearing a mask down there isn't a real 'murican.

[BigmanPigman]

18. Damn it....

I am a very visual person (was an illustrator)and not that image is in my head and won't leave. I pictured the fucking moron and couldn't find his junk to put a mask onto since his belly hides his mushroom.

[Sentath]

19. Here I am laughing in my home office (you may not want to click)

Imagining this Unsettling Political Cartoon* of trump wearing a surgical mask like a 'cup'; mapped over the dancing hippopotamuses from Fantasia.



* I simply cannot get a link to work today https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213251401 next to last one

[BigmanPigman]

20. I'm glad an illustrator/cartoonist

was able to use that idea successfully. We know it was a matter of time before someone finally did it..