Shave Your Beards?
The U.S. is preparing for the eventual rise of coronavirus diagnoses. In order to do that, a reminder is being shared about the possible need to shave.
Back in 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that men with facial hair take their beards to the clippers if they want to protect themselves from disease. The organization even went so far as to give a list of facial hairstyles that are safe and styles that aren’t safe. While styles like side whiskers, a goatee, soul patches, and handlebar mustaches are ok, more popular looks like stubble, a full beard, and even crazy ones like mutton chops are not on the ok list.
The reason that some styles are approved and some aren’t is because of the current need to use masks or respirators. With respirators and masks covering the nose and mouth area, a mask will not be able to cover a large beard. The idea is that masks won’t be able to protect men’s beards from infectious particles. Plus, facial hair threats the effectiveness of respirators and their exhalation valve.
But again, that information came out in 2017. Now with the coronavirus on everyone's minds, that earlier information is floating around again. Right now, the WHO recommends that only people with symptoms wear surgical masks. As such, this beard info is only appropriate for men who have already contracted coronavirus. So men of the world without the disease, you and your beards can rest easy.
The Coronavirus
But is the coronavirus really as bad as everyone is making it out to be? Not really. First, there have only been 800,000 diagnoses of the disease. While that may seem like a lot, it’s a small amount considering the 4.463 billion people who live in the Asian continent. In addition, the coronavirus is not nearly as deadly as social media and some news sources have made it out to be. Out of those 800,000 diagnoses, only 2,810 have died so far. The majority of people who were diagnosed with the coronavirus lived. The common flu had killed more people with 12,000 to 61,000 deaths in the U.S. per year.
So men, you might want to consider shaving your beards in order to protect yourselves from the ever growing coronavirus. THAT SAID, do not be swayed by news sources and social media posts that are racking up unnecessary hysteria. Yes, the disease is on the rise, but it isn’t the zombie apocalypse. Bear down, but don’t freak out.
