Coronavirus Update // To shave or not to shave!?
There has been a lot of misinformation spread by the media about the coronavirus, fuelled by fear mongering and has people in a state of panic. We just wanted to get one thing straight, bearded people are not more at risk of catching and harbouring the virus if you have good personal hygiene, which we hope you would already.
So now we've got that out the way we’re here to assuage a few of those fears and clear up a few of the un-truths surrounding the coronavirus, especially those victimising beards.
Some of you will have seen the below image floating around on the inter-web.
So although this has been pushed by the media as guidelines for avoiding the coronavirus, after a little bit of digging however you soon realise that this has nothing to do with official guidelines and is in fact and infomercial for movember. A media campaign designed for people who have to wear face mask at work but also want to partake in the growing of a fabulous moustache.
To cut through the miss-information flying we've done a little Q & A:
Questions
1. How much toilet roll and pasta will me and my family likely need. (The most important question)
2. How exactly is the coronavirus passed from person to person?
3. Will wearing a face mask even help in stopping the contraction on the virus?
4. What precautions should we be taking?
Answers
1. How much toilet roll and pasta will me and my family likely need....
Apparently these are the staples of society, toilet roll and pasta... who knew! A pandemic happens and these two items as well as hand sanitiser have sold out in most supermarkets. Seems slightly ridiculous and adds to the hysteria of the situation but who are we to judge what people need in their lives.
We’ve done a lot of research, watched a lot of youtube videos and have to admit it's hard to decide what is fact or fiction regarding the Coronavirus. We won’t be rashly shaving anything off, we'd get one of these bad boys before shaving off our beloved beards...
As long as you take extra care to make sure you're washing your hands, especially before you eat and drink there is no reason why there should be a mass grave of beards. Taking a few extra precautions such as washing your beard daily with a beard shampoo (if you don't already) and applying a beard oil that contains tree tree (such as ours 😛). Tee tree is naturally anti-bacterial and may help.
2. How exactly is the corona virus passed from person to person?
Now to the serious stuff...
The virus seems to spread via close contact with people who have the virus already (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets that are produced when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes. These droplets can then land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
to learn more check out https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html
How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, as this will mean it will spread more quickly and increase the outreach.
3. Can wearing a face mask protect you from the new coronavirus?
The short answer is a resounding No, a regular surgical mask will not help you steer clear of the virus.
(Image: © Shutterstock)
If it's a regular surgical face mask, the answer is no, Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, told Live Science.
A more specialised mask, known as an N95 respirator, can protect against the new coronavirus, also called SARS-CoV-2. The respirator is thicker than a surgical mask, but neither Schaffner nor the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) recommend.
This is because, in part, it's challenging to put on these masks and wear them for long periods of time, he said.
Specialists retrain annually on how to properly fit these respirators around the nose, cheeks and chin, ensuring that wearers don't breathe around the edges of the respirator. "When you do that, it turns out that the work of breathing, since you're going through a very thick material, is harder. You have to work to breathe in and out. It's a bit claustrophobic. It can get moist and hot in there," Schaffner said.
"I know that I can wear them when I need to for about a half-hour," he added. "But then, I have to go out of the isolation room, take it off and take some deep breaths, kind of cool off, before I can go back in."
While it still might be possible to snag an N95 respirator online, Schaffner advised against it. If too many people unnecessarily stockpile respirators, a shortage could put the health of medical workers and those who need them at risk, Schaffner said.
Find out more - https://www.livescience.com/face-mask-new-coronavirus.html
If you work as a nurse or doctor and you have access to the N95 respirator than maybe a trim might be in order - although there seems to be gaps around the edges of the mask anyway, it seems more likely that the important thing is you have to be breathing the way you were trained, through the mask and not through the open edges - I think the main issue will be the heat in the mask if you also have a beard this may be too much in a busy NHS role. Obviously we’re not medical experts here at The Brighton Beard Co. so please make decisions based on your likeliness to be exposed to the virus - if you're in highly likely situation you may be best to take all the precautions you can.
Basically face mask are pretty redundant against protecting you from the Coronavirus and being vigilant with washing your hands is likely to be much more effective.
4. What precautions should we be taking?
The most obvious one - Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand wash then with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing, sounds very silly to mention and very serious but maintaining at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing could help prevent you catching the virus.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible.
Why? Hands touch many surfaces throughout the day and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth, from there the virus can enter your body and make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you and the people around you follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? This will help by catching the droplets in something you can dispose of, and catching it in your elbow will mean it's not as easily spread as if it's caught in your hands. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
To stay up to date, check the world health organisation regularly-
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
Basically don't go sneezing on everyone, a.) People don't like it and b.) it spreads germs, we hope everyone knows this already but you never can be too sure!
Rest assured by the time this all blows over we’ll be right here waiting to help you grow your best beard yet 👌