Masks that cover the nose so that they can be worn while eating and drinking are on the rise in South Korea. The unique model is considered strange. What does it mean?
Kosk, thus the name of the product, comes from a combination of the words "ko" which means nose in Korean, and "mask" which means mask. The product was released by a company called Atman and retails for 9,800 won for a box of 10 at online retailer Coupang.
The Kosk mask consists of two parts, one of which can be removed to leave the mouth open as shown in the picture. This design allows the bottom of the mask to fold down when eating and drinking, so that only the nose is covered.
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— ? (@museun_happen) January 29, 2022
Since its release, South Korean netizens have been busy making jokes about the unusual-looking mask. Many also question the ability of the masks to really protect themselves from the Corona virus.
However, as quoted from The Guardian, several studies have found that COVID-19 most easily enters the body through the nose. So is it possible that wearing a nose mask is actually a good idea?
"Kosk is a strange idea. However wearing it may be better than not wearing a mask at all. But maybe the difference is very small," said Professor Catherine Bennett, chair of epidemiology at Deakin University's Institute for Health Transformation in Australia.
Meanwhile, a Twitter user pointed out that Kosk is basically the equivalent of a person wearing a mask but lowering it on the chin.
Believe it or not, this isn't the first time nose masks have been sold during the pandemic. Last year, researchers in Mexico designed a mask that only covered the nose. The masks are meant to be worn under a regular mask, as extra protection when the top mask is removed while eating or drinking.
But keep in mind, epidemiologists around the world have reminded citizens that multiple layers of protection are best. They always recommend that a mask be worn to cover the entire nose, mouth and chin area.