For only $3 or below, individuals will be able to eat food while wearing a mask developed by an Israeli company. How soon will these be widely available?
Wearing a mask or no mask has been an on-going issue ever since the coronavirus spread globally. Nevertheless, general health guidelines still advise the public to continue wearing a mask to help prevent the spread of the virus.
As some continue to wear masks almost all day, this need inspired Israeli inventors to develop a more convenient face mask.
Israel New Innovation: Israel Eating Mask
Avtipus Patents & Inventions Ltd designed and recently patented three variations of this new mask, headed by Asaf Gitelis. The most basic version of the mask has a small lever to the side, which enables the wearer to open a slot in front of the mouth. It opens up enough for a utensil to pass through.
The second type is a bit more advanced as it has a mechanical remote control, which Gitelis demonstrated this week.
The third type of eating mask has 'an optical sensor and a small servo motor, enabling the mask to open automatically,' shares the company.
While the first type of mask will be offered at $1 to $3 only, the two others will have a higher price because of the technology involved. The basic mask is not much more expensive than the pale blue masks people often wear.
The company has yet to reveal how much the advanced masks will cost and for whom the production of these specialized masks will be prioritized.
In Tel Aviv, some people were shown a video of the mask and asked what they thought about it.
One student, 32-year-old Ofir Mameiri, said that it's a 'must-have.' Mameiri agrees with the idea of being able to eat more conveniently with this newly developed mask.
With an opposite opinion, Ron Silberstein from Tel Aviv, argued, 'I don't think this mask could hold this kind of ice cream - it's dripping all over. I wouldn't want to wear it afterward.'
Where Can I Purchase an Eating Mask?
Israel will make this mask available in their country by June and are still looking for partners and distributors in the United States. Mass production is consequently set to happen within a few months.
Mask innovations continue to develop as the world remains uncertain on how much longer the pandemic will last. In Israel, there are still over 16,000 cases of COVID-19 this week.
So far, there remains no new information on how the rest of the world may purchase these masks.
Another advancement in face masks was recently reported from Harvard University alongside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The mask lights up when it comes into contact with COVID-19.
The NFL is also making developments in hopes that it's 2020 season will still happen by September. They are currently testing a 'helmet faceguard that might provide the same sort of protection as a surgical mask.'
Adding the eating mask to new face masks developments, Gitelis says that with these masks, 'Then you can eat, enjoy, drink, and you take out the fork, and it will be closed, and you're protected against the virus and other people sitting with you.'
