Handheld Masks Developed For Dinner Table Manners
A university in western Japan is teaming up with restaurants to encourage the use of "handheld masks" when people wine and dine in the coronavirus era.
Kyoto Saga University of Arts developed the prototypes, which are made of paper or non-woven fabric with handles attached.
On Tuesday, about 20 restaurant proprietors tested the handheld masks during a meal at a hotel in Kyoto City. They ate with a fork or spoon in one hand, and covered their mouths with the mask held in their free hand whenever they spoke.
With input from the participants, students at the arts university plan to improve the design and function so the mask will gain broad acceptance.
A man who took part in the trial said putting a regular mask on and off during dinner is not realistic. He said he didn't feel any unease with the handheld version and believes it's effective against the virus.
University president Sasaki Masako, who first came up with the idea of a handheld mask, says she hopes it will become part of new table manners.
