Is it really a problem wearing a beard?

Last Monday, the vast majority of Spanish territory entered phase 0 of de-escalation. This includes some measures to alleviate isolation, but at the same time tries to reinforce security, to avoid a possible new wave of infections. For this reason, among others, the obligation to wear a mask has been exposed, both on public transport and when traveling in private vehicles. In addition, its use is recommended in any exit to the outside where you can interact with other people, to avoid contagion. Using them is very simple, but it can cause some inconvenience. For example, can you wear a mask with a beard?

These days the importance of it being tight and covering most of the face, from the nose to the chin, both included, has been repeated a lot. It seems clear that a thick beard could prevent this fit. And so it is. In fact, it is something that is well known to the people who work with them on a daily basis.

From the toilets to the population

At the end of February there was a bit of a stir, after an infographic from the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began to be shared on social networks United on the possibility or not of wearing a mask with a beard and mustache.

In it, a surprising range of shaving forms is shown, clarifying whether it is possible to wear a mask with each of them. It began to spread that, based on this information, facial hair could be an impediment to protect us from COVID-19 and the CDC itself had to intervene.

In their social networks they explained that the infographic is from 2017, so it has nothing to do with the coronavirus. In addition, they clarified that it is a recommendation for health workers, since they are the ones who should preferably use masks.

However, things have changed a lot since then. The CDC itself has changed its guidelines on its use, and has even explained how to make them at home. The WHO and the authorities of many countries, such as Spain, have also begun to advise them for the general population. If we all carry them, it will be more difficult for the asymptomatic to spread the disease.

The problem is that, once masks become part of the general population, the problems of health workers in terms of wearing them are also our problems.

The key is that it adapts to the face

Wearing a mask with a beard has three main problems. On the one hand, if it does not fit well and there are gaps, it is easier for virus-laden droplets to pass into the air in case of speaking or coughing and infecting someone close or depositing on surfaces. In fact, the fit is not only an issue for the use of masks. It also makes it difficult to correctly put on respirators in bearded patients.

On the other hand, the hair of the beard itself can bother and make breathing difficult if it is very dense. This was explained to the BBC last April by John Adamson, a man who, in addition to working as a caretaker for vulnerable people, is part of the Edinburgh Beard and Mustache Club. He proudly showed off his bushy beard until the mask began to press on the hair, which got into his mouth and nose and prevented him from breathing easily. He was forced to shave, as many health workers have done.

Finally, the mask can retain pathogens, not only the coronavirus, but also any other. For this reason and for hygiene reasons, there are "beard masks" that cover facial hair to prevent hair loss or possible contamination. In addition, logically, it is important to wash the area regularly.

It is something that health workers have always had to deal with, but also workers in other sectors, such as the food and chemical industries.

In this situation, you can opt for a complete shave, as Adamson did, or, in any case, a trimming of the beard that facilitates its adjustment. In any case, wearing the mask will always be better than not doing it, so the excuse of the beard is not worth not using it when necessary. Depending on the level of exposure, it will be necessary to decide what to do with the beard; but the mask, if you can put other people at risk by not wearing it, should not be missing.