Tag: face masks

Potentially toxic masks distributed in schools and daycares in Quebec

One model of mask distributed to Quebec schools and daycares may be dangerous for the lungs as they could contain a potentially toxic material, according to a directive sent out by the provincial government on Friday.

Radio-Canada has obtained documents showing Health Canada warned of the potential for “early pulmonary toxicity” from the SNN200642 masks which are made in China and sold and distributed by Métallifer, a Quebec-based manufacturer.

“If you have this type of mask in stock, we ask that you stop distributing them and keep them in a safe place now,” the provincial government says in the directive that was sent by three ministries: education, families and higher education.

Some daycare educators had been suspicious of these grey and blue masks for a while because they felt like they were swallowing cat hair while wearing them, Radio-Canada has learned.

Health Canada conducted a preliminary risk assessment which revealed a potential for early lung damage associated with inhalation of microscopic graphene particles. Graphene is a strong, very thin material that is used in fabrication, but it can be harmful to lungs when inhaled and can cause long-term health problems.

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Spain Passes Law Mandating Face Masks Even While Swimming in the Sea

Spain has passed a new law forcing people to wear face masks everywhere outside and even while swimming in the sea.

Yes, really.

The legislation, which came into effect on Wednesday, mandates face coverings for children as young as six, with refusniks facing fines of €100 euros.

The only exemption to the rule is adults playing sports outside, but people tanning outside or swimming in a pool or the ocean are still required to cover up.

“This will apply to people who are sunbathing or even swimming in the sea,” confirms the London Evening Standard.

The utter stupidity and real danger of having to wear a face mask while swimming in the sea goes without saying.

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Biden administration offering $500k in contest for improved mask designs

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday that the agency “launched an innovation challenge competition today encouraging American inventors to aid the nation’s COVID-19 response by designing effective, comfortable face masks for personal use that resolve the common concerns people have about wearing masks” such as “fogged glasses” and “difficulty speaking through face coverings.”

Submissions for the contest are due by April 21, and up to 10 winners will be eligible to receive $10,000 prizes in the first phase. Up to “5 winners will be selected to split a total $400,000 prize purse” in the second phase.

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Researchers Say 4 Billion Masks Tossed Out Daily Could Cause Environmental Catastrophe

Around the world, every minute of every day, three million masks are tossed out. Let that sink in. THREE million masks are tossed out every MINUTE.

Every single day, on average, a little over four billion — with a “b” — masks are thrown out.

Every single month, 129 billion — again with a “b” — masks are tossed out.

And this does not include all the other protective equipment.

“Preventing masks from becoming the next plastic problem,” is the name of a research paper published this year and here’s the takeaway:

Recent studies estimated an astounding 129 billion face masks being used globally every month (3 million / minute) and most are disposable face masks made from plastic microfibers (Prata et al., 2020). With increasing reports on inappropriate disposal of masks, it is urgent to recognize this potential environmental threat and prevent it from becoming the next plastic problem.

Yes, there is a layer of plastic in all those disposable masks, and here’s a collection of photographs that bring the problem to life.

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Covid Face Masks Killing Wildlife, Study Says

Researchers are blaming “corona waste,” including disposable face masks and latex gloves, for a recent increase in wildlife deaths.

The researchers in the Netherlands say wildlife across the world is getting entangled in discarded face masks and other safety gear.

“Researchers note incidents of foxes in the United Kingdom and birds in Canada all becoming entangled in discarded face masks,” according to studyfinds.org. “Hedgehogs, seagulls, crabs, and even bats are all encountering the disposable plastics in the environment.”

“In some cases, study authors say animals are eating this debris.”

Informed readers will see the irony in that the very people pushing face mask mandates also claim to be concerned with “global warming” and the environment in general.

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Biden Urges States To Maintain Mask Mandates As A ‘Patriotic Duty’

President Joe Biden urged leaders across the country Monday to reinstate mask mandates and pause reopening efforts, claiming it’s “the only way we will ever get back to normal.”

“I’m reiterating my call for every governor, mayor, and local leader to maintain and reinstate the mask mandate,” Biden said. “Please, this is not politics. Reinstate the mandate if you let it down. And businesses should require masks as well … Look, as I do my part to accelerate the vaccine distribution and vaccinations, I need the American people to do their part as well.”

Biden said mask mandates are the “only way” Americans will be able to attend events like graduations and weddings again.

“Mask up. Mask up. It’s a patriotic duty,” he said. “It’s the only way we will ever get back to normal. To cheer together in stadiums full of fans. To gather together in holidays again safely.”

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