The United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has warned that facial hair can interfere with face masks recommended for use against Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19.
The CDC has come up with an infographic, which displays assorted styles of beards, and showing the ones that are compatible with masks and respirators.
Health officials said some types of facial hair can keep the exhalation valve from working properly.
Styles such as side whiskers, handlebar mustaches, and several others are okay, but styles such as mutton chops and full beards are not recommended.
Things like goatees and villain mustache are okay, with caution.
The main idea is that the hair should not cross the respirator sealing surface.
The guide explains that full beards are out, as are any kinds of stubble.
Bottom line: Most beards, and a few mustaches, prevent a mask from forming a complete seal against the skin. So, too, are those “mutton chop” whiskers that were popular in the Victorian era, along with the “Imperial” minibeard — a kind of “soul patch” in the days of the Russian tsars — and the Three Musketeers–style “French Fork” beard. The long, droopy “Fu Manchu” mustache is a no-no, as well.
The old-fashioned, bushy walrus mustache; the pencil mustache immortalized in song by Jimmy Buffett; and the dashing one worn by Zorro — all of those can safely be worn under a mask.
And while the Fu Manchu is out, the CDC says you’ll be fine if you turn the long ends upward.
