The "wearing of the mask in all closed and shared workspaces" since September 1 has opened up many debates.
For a few days now, when you talk to your colleague, you can only see his eyes, wearing a mask requires. Apart from this novelty of clothing, has this protection become a hindrance to working? Questions arise and opinions diverge.
The media outlet The Conversation analyzed the new protocol in place. The latter announces that specialists in cognitive psychology "believe that our face is essential in our process of social communication, and more particularly the triangle formed by the eyes and the lower part."
A study by German psychologist Claus-Christian Carbon shows that the mask can be a brake on the quality of our social interactions because it hides almost 60% of the face.
Despite this news, the mouth which seems important for the detection of happiness and fear would not be the most important part of the face. The eyes would be more relevant for emotions such as anger, disgust, and sadness.
But facial expressions are not the only ones to help with communication, posture and body language allow to interact with the interlocutors. And the voice also gives indications, recalls The Conversation.
Take breaks?
Sure BFMTV, Last Sunday, the Minister of Labor, Élisabeth Borne underlined that in "shared offices, open spaces", "if we have all the right rules", employees will be able "at certain times to remove the mask", for example to " blow ten minutes, "she added. And if "your colleagues have gone to the canteen, some of you have stayed, you can take off your mask."
Note that the masks that are mandatory in business are "consumer masks, preferably reusable, covering both the nose, mouth and chin, meet the specifications of the AFNOR S76-001 standard or, for imported masks, the specifications of similar standardization bodies. They must have passed the tests guaranteeing the performance listed in appendix 3. They can be recognized by the logo specifying it, which must appear on their packaging or on their instructions ", explains the new protocol.
Small reminder: when a mask is removed, a new one must be used.
Tips for supporting the mask at work
The human mind shows an incredible imagination in trying to bear obligations. To avoid ear pain due to the pressure exerted on them, the trick is to tie the rubber bands together, with a paper clip, string or even with a piece of plastic.
To avoid fogging the glasses, SantéMagazine recommends pinching the wire, present on some masks, in order to conform to the shape of the nose.
According to the Robert-Sauvé Research Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (IRSST), to breathe more easily, you should choose a mask designed with a material that is as breathable as possible, which will make it possible to "reduce the humidity level in the body. 'air inside the mask ". He also recommends promoting breathing through the nose. "This generates less heat and humidity which will be retained in the mask".