Mexican Researchers Create a Nose-Only COVID-19 Mask

By Mary Anne Webber (staff@latinpost.com) First Posted: Mar 25, 2021 03:21 AM EDT

People walk wearing face masks on October 08, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. Mexico City is the area worst hit by COVID-19 in the country. Still 158 neighborhoods remain under red alert and their number of active positive cases represents 33% of city total. These areas are being prioritized for medical attention and economic aid programs. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March, the country registered 800,000 positive cases of COVID-19 and over 82,000 related deaths. (Photo : Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Mexican researchers have launched a nose-only COVID-19 mask, which could be worn while eating or drinking. They claimed that the said mask, which only covers the nose, could reduce the infection spread of COVID-19.

The creator of the design said that removing a mask to eat or drink increases the risk of exposure to the virus, according to a Washington Examiner report.

However, it is not yet clear if the nose-only COVID-19 mask would be up for mass production. The Mexican researchers claimed that the nose-only COVID-19 mask does not eliminate all risks of spreading infection.

The new design of the said COVID-19 mask earned mixed reactions. Others said that it would reduce transmission, while others turned to its unusual look.

One Twitter user said that the masks were hardly a new invention as clowns have been wearing those for years, New York Post reported.

Mask Wearing

According to The Hill report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that more mask coverage and not less is the best-case scenario.

In one CDC study released last month, the agency said double masking can significantly decrease the spread of COVID-19 infection. Double masking is the practice of wearing a cloth mask over a medical grade one.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends wearing a mask that provides coverage over the nose, mouth, and chin. The same recommendation was stated under the CDC's guidelines for wearing a protective mask. According to CDC, it should fit snugly against the sides of the face without any gaps.

A medical procedure mask alone can block 56.1 percent of the particles from a simulated cough, while a cloth mask alone blocked 51.4 percent, a CDC study noted.

The combination of cloth masks over the medical procedure mask also blocked 85.4 percent of the cough particles.

People of two years of age and older should wear a mask and anyone who is traveling in a public setting or when traveling in any public transport.

Recently, several states have lifted their mask mandates, including Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott lifted the statewide mask mandate under a new executive order implemented on Mar. 10.

However, businesses are allowed to retain the COVID-19 safety protocols, including a mask requirement that could be imposed at their own discretion.

U.S. health authorities said Wednesday that there is a falling emergency hospitalization among the elderly and a decline in cases among health workers becoming infected.

"We now see significant declines in emergency department visits among people over 65 as that age group has gotten vaccinated," Rochelle Walensky, director of CDC, said as AFP News reported.

The U.S. is currently administering around 2.5 million vaccine shots per day. Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden's chief advisor on the pandemic, advised everyone to remain cautious, saying that whether or not the U.S. is turning the corner, it remains to be seen.

Most of the cases reported in the U.S. involve younger people who are not yet vaccinated.

WATCH: Mexican Researchers Produce Nose-Only COVID-19 Masks to Wear While Eating or Drinking in Mexico - Discover News

Tags Mexican, COVID-19 mask