Is it safe to re-use ‘disposable’ face masks? – Yorkshire Post Letters

IS it just me, and it usually is, but I am wondering if we may all be misled about the ‘disposable’ and ‘single use’ part of our face masks?

After my first use of a face mask, I gave it a thorough wash in soap and water.

After leaving it to dry overnight, I was surprised to find that the mask was perfectly sound, undamaged and ready for re-use.

Now I am willing to take the advice of experts, and if I am told that the mask is now unsafe, or unfit for purpose, then I’ll dispose of it.

However, the mask to me looks and feels fine, and it occurs to me that we may be throwing away thousands of these things a day, causing well documented environmental issues unnecessarily. Also, we’re spending money we don’t need to.

I write this in the form really of a question, so if there is anyone out there who could enlighten me, I would be very grateful.

From: Andrew Mercer, Guiseley.

IF face masks are so necessary, why isn’t the Government making them available free of charge?

Thirty pounds for a box of 30 in a pharmacy in Yeadon seemed excessive – and exploitative. Do others agree?

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson