From cheap, disposable surgical masks to a Dh700 personal face filtration system, the variety of face coverings to be sold during the coronavirus pandemic is mind-boggling.
In only a few months, an industry once reserved for medical professionals has become a global necessity and a multibillion-dollar gold mine for manufacturers.
Dr Azam Salih Mohamed, of NMC Medical Centre in Sharqan, Sharjah, looked at the pros and cons of five of the most commonly used masks in the UAE.
“We will be wearing face masks for at least another six months or so, even though we now have a vaccine for Covid-19,” he said.
They have become as important as our mobile phones, keys and wallets – we must not leave the house without one
“It will still take some time for that to be circulated to the extent where it becomes effective, so people need to continue wearing masks.
“They have become as important as our mobile phones, keys and wallets – we must not leave the house without one."
According to the UN, the protective wear industry is booming, with global sales of disposable masks expected to increase to $166 billion in 2020, up from about $800 million last year.
Strict rules on face masks have been in place in the UAE for months, with anyone found breaking them risking a Dh3,000 ($820) fine.
The World Health Organisation considers masks to be one of several key measures to curb the spread of infection.
Since the start of the pandemic, NMC medical centres have processed 104,000 PCR tests for Covid-19.
Doctors said that trend was likely to continue well into next year, which means masks will remain an important part of everyday life.
"There has been a lot of information out there about how people should be using face masks," said Dr Mohamed, who is from Iraq.
“It is not just important to consider which mask to wear, but to ensure they have one to put on when required.
“Education is improving and there are many different options now. The only question is which face mask you should choose.”
Disposable surgical masks
A box of the most familiar blue and white surgical face masks costs only Dh15 for 50.
Pros: Cheap but effective.
Cons: People reuse them repeatedly when they are old and ineffective. Disposable masks have also created an environmental headache.
“Some of the reusable masks should not be worn after 24 hours, because they will lose their effectiveness. They gradually deteriorate over time,” Dr Mohamed said.
Washable cloth face masks
Fashion masks are available in a variety of colours and designs and cost anything from Dh30 to Dh60.
Pros: Reusable and inexpensive, making them more environmentally sound.
Cons: Often poorly made and degrade quickly. Material masks need to be washed daily in warm soapy water to remain effective.
“Most patients I speak to choose to have the disposable masks or the cloth reusable face coverings, particularly if they have a larger family to consider, when it can get expensive,” Dr Mohamed said.
N95 mask with built-in valves
Companies such as Viromasks and Fine Guard manufacture reusable masks in the UAE that can be worn for up to a year and cost about Dh100 each.
Pros: Made with several layers of material to trap and kill viruses and the mask retains its antibacterial properties after up to 40 washes.
Valves on either side of the mask add to the filtration level for the wearer.
Cons: Slightly more expensive and cumbersome than the lighter, disposable alternatives.
“The N95 masks with ventilation are good for medical professionals because they offer protection and also enable communication, which is clearly important for them,” Dr Mohamed said.
Exercise masks and gloves
UAE company Fine Guard expanded its manufacturing line this year from paper products to face coverings that use bacteria-repelling materials.
It has been one of the pandemic’s few success stories, expanding production and increasing its range to a line of children’s products, gloves and sports masks.
A sports mask and gloves package suitable for use at the gym costs about Dh200.
"The material is very light and breathable, so would work well if someone wanted to wear the mask and gloves while working out or cycling," Dr Mohamed said.
“The general advice is not to wear masks during strenuous exercise, but this is a comfortable face covering that can be worn easily.”
LG Electronics PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier
At a hefty Dh699, the PuriCare is the most expensive consumer face mask on the UAE market, but promises total protection while filtering ambient air.
On a full charge, the lightweight mask offers eight hours of protection, filtering pollutants from the air before it is inhaled.
It has been three years in the making and hit the UAE market this year as the demand for face masks reached its peak.
Pros: Dual fans outside the mask allow the user to breathe in clean, filtered air, with adjustable speeds to suit respiration rates.
A silicon pad offers a comfortable fit and air flow is regulated to stop the mask becoming too warm and avoid the common problem of fogging your glasses.
Cons: By far the most expensive face mask in the UAE, cumbersome to wear and can be difficult to communicate because it makes you sound like Darth Vader.
“The PuriCare mask is rechargeable so it can be used repeatedly, but it is so expensive,” Dr Mohamed said. “You have to speak loudly to be heard so communication is difficult, but it is surprisingly comfortable.”
The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
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Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
Company%20Profile
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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