A study conducted in London has come to the conclusion that using face masks along with lockdown can save from the second and third wave of coronavirus, according to a mathematical modeling study on COVID-19. The findings of the study have been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society. The study proved that lockdown has limited effectiveness in containing the spread of novel coronavirus. The study found that when people wear masks whenever they come in public, the risk factor halves and helps to flatten the curve.
Total face mask adoption by the population can make our life normal and that is why many countries have made wearing face masks mandatory.
However, this has created a new set of problems. Face masks have started adding to the garbage pile in many countries, especially where the garbage management system is not very effective.
Piling of single-use plastic made face masks have aggravated the situation as their disposal is a big headache for authorities.
Even cotton masks are not environment friendly, contrary to popular perception.
The problem lies in cotton production which consumes a major chunk of groundwater depletion in countries and pesticide consumption.
When you buy cotton made mask or any other product, you contribute to adding carbon footprint.
The problem with cotton is more than half of global cotton production (57 percent) happens in areas under high or extreme water stress as per data by the World Resources Institute.
Cotton, considered as a thirsty crop, uses 4 percent of all world pesticides and 10 percent of insecticides.
So what is the solution? Using hemp made face masks can be a powerful solution. Hemp mask has all the advantages of cotton-made masks or even more. However, unlike cotton, they are highly environment friendly.
Cultivation of hemp fabric requires much less amount of water and they don’t use harmful chemicals.
What does this mean?
Buying a hemp mask means you help reduce carbon footprint and prevents from chocking our drainage system.