With the recent phenomenon that the whole world is facing, numerous products have been incorporated into our daily lives to help us manage the said pandemic. With this said, the usage of alcohol, medicines, and even face masks heightened like no other.In an article published by the OECD, it was stated that China produced 20 million masks per day in January 2020, which wasn’t enough to fulfill the 240 million masks per day expected daily demand for employees in the industrial, transportation, and healthcare industries. People in business and innovators rose and saw the need for these necessities as an opportunity despite the dreadful times that had taken place.It is noted that face masks are one of the most prominent and have developed a great variety throughout this time of the pandemic. Innovators find ways to keep our face masks timely and handful.You may check out credible sources wherethey explain the differences and proper usage of specific masks – what they are for and what kind of environment they are perfect to use. For a better understanding, let’s dig deeper and identify the pros and cons of disposable face masks.
The Pros of Disposable Face Masks
They Are Easy To Obtain
Everywhere you go, anyone can buy face masks. Because of their importance and being part of our regular lives during the pandemic, disposable masks are now one of the necessities an individual must have. They are accessible and also disposable at the same time. You do not need to stress yourself whenever you forget to bring a face mask with you because of its availability, even in small stores in the area.
Disposable Face Masks Are Convenient
People complain when they need to take things with them because they may be heavy, space-consuming, or even because they do not match their get-up. It is good that disposable masks now come in different styles, colors, and patterns that can easily match up to the look you are aiming for. Aside from that, it is also very convenient because it is neither heavy nor takes up a lot of space, and people can wear it casually.
They Are Effective
Disposable masks, such as surgical masks, are considered one of the most efficient ways of protecting oneself from the viruses around us. Aside from shielding us from different molecules or other particles, disposable masks also help stop the uncontrollable respiratory secretions from spreading to others that might soon inflict the other party.According to research done by Ming Hui Chua et al. (2020), disposable masks have been found to reduce the amount of virus that infected people emit, and they also protect the person who has been in contact with someone infected. So, it is best to always have one with you, whether you’re protecting yourself from getting sick or keeping others safe from you when you’re sick.
The Cons of Disposable Face Masks
They Are Consumable
As the word suggests, disposable face masks are bound to be consumable. Some people find it disadvantageous because consumables mean they need to save extra money to acquire them again. As the demand for disposable face masks increases, the higher the prices will be—just the typical rule of demand and supply.It also means people must replace them regularly because they wear out or are used up. This mechanism might not be favorable for people with fewer privileges than others. We can observe in our daily lives that some keep reusing their disposable face masks because they can’t afford to buy them repeatedly. It increases our risk of getting viral infections more than it protects us.
Great Contributor To Waste
It was never a new thing that the world is experiencing an environmental crisis for numerous reasons like climate change, pollution, and man-made disasters, which should never be normalized. With this said, as the world enters a new phenomenological predicament, we also heightened the possibility of experiencing another setback concerning our habitat.As mentioned earlier, the demand for face masks is increasing. However, the repercussions of this demand take a toll on our environment. In an article made by Anne Trafton (2021), she stated that it is estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to produce up to 7,200 tons of medical waste per day, the majority of which will be disposable masks. Healthcare professionals are anticipated to continue using masks most of the time, even as the pandemic declines in some regions of the world.
It Can Cause Skin Problems
Since face masks are now considered a necessity for our daily lives, one should not forget to wear theirs whenever they are socializing or even just going out of the house. It may look simple and just right, but some people are experiencing skin problems because of disposable face masks.Some skin problems that we can observe because of face masks are:
Red rashes: It usually happens because of mask reactions, which are irritation from the friction, and not because of an allergic reaction to the mask components.
Acne: Some may develop acne on their faces because of the friction from contact with face masks or humidity.
Facial itch: We usually find face masks itchy when used. Some are not comfortable wearing it because they sweat a lot, causing an irritated reaction on their faces.
All things considered, one should note what kind of reaction they are experiencing when they wear face masks. Remember that they are for protection, not the other way around.
Conclusion
With the uproaring pandemic that our world is dealing with, taking care of ourselves should be our utmost priority. And as citizens of this society, we must follow the rules necessary for our country’s betterment. Face masks, in general, whatever kind, style, pattern, or design they may be, as long as they are doing what they are for, anyone is free to choose what face masks they want. Although they help us suppress the spread of the virus in this pandemic, they also come with disadvantages. However, people must learn to maximize its use while minimizing its unfavorable effects on our health and the environment. Overall, all we need to understand is that face masks are essential for developing better health communication strategies during and beyond a pandemic.
