Why is Disney World Banning Valved Masks?

Disney World on Monday changed its park rules with a ban on valved masks. A ban was also put in place for masks made of mesh material and those with holes in them.

The valved mask ban was Disney World's effort of keeping guests and cast members safe within the park as the threats of the coronavirus pandemic continues to take over the United States. They said mesh masks, holed and valved masks were no longer acceptable personal protective equipment (PPE), a report from Business Insider noted.

The new rules were explained by Disney World, citing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas, and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings," the Disney World said in a statement.

The Florida theme park will accept face masks with at least two layers of material. The mask, whether disposable or reusable, has to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer, the Fox Business reported.

The masks also need to be secured with ties of ear loops to allow the wearer to move about hands-free.

Disney said this new addition to their rules is a "substitute for physical distancing."

The new rules follow the recent changes in Disney World's rules on not wearing a mask while guests are eating or drinking. A People report said the change of rules are there to make sure guests are sitting down when they eat or drink, instead of walking around while doing so.

The face mask rules aren't the only ones Disney World imposed. It also required temperature checks and social distancing in lines. The theme park reopened last July 11.

What is Wrong with Valved Masks?

Valved masks may let the wearer breathe easier, but scientists have urged people to stop using these kinds of facial coverings. They feared using such masks will only spread the virus further.

In a Metro UK report, Dr. Bharat Pankhania of the University of Exeter Medical School said masks with valves on it create faster air flow from the mouth of the wearer out through the valve. This could create a "plume of infection."

The report added that there are no filters involved in outward air flow for valve masks. Incoming air can be filtered, but the air that the wearer lets out is not filtered.

This means a person wearing a valve mask can be protected from the virus, but if they are not aware that they have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), they can only spread it further without knowing it. It removes the key point of masks-protecting others.

Supporting scientific claims, the CDC also recommended against the use of valved masks because of the threats they pose.

The ABC News reported that the usual cloth masks are even better at fighting the spread of the coronavirus than the valved ones.

"Cloth and surgical masks would clearly rank superior," said William Schaffner, MD of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, noting that the valve masks don't protect everyone around him.

"Sorry about that... if you're wearing masks just to protect yourself that's different than the program that we're thinking of -- the goal that we're trying to implement," Schaffner said.

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