NurPhoto via Getty Images

Used face masks and gloves are being discarded carelessly all over city landscapes. Contaminated face masks littering side walks are a common sight in urban centers.

According to London’s DailyMail.com, face masks and latex gloves litter 30% of beaches. That number is expected to rise by next year.

Besides being an eyesore, face masks pose health hazards to restaurant workers and city workers who say they aren’t being paid additional hazard pay to handle the virus-laden masks.

Diners who wear masks in restaurants often remove their masks and place them on tables – thus contaminating the table surface.

Masks worn by children in schools are even riskier, since children touch their masks, pull the masks down or remove their masks to eat. Their contaminated hands then transfer the virus to everything they touch.

These factors explain why Covid-19 cases are surging in hotspots around the country where masks are mandated.

In a hospital setting, masks when worn while treating patients infected with contagious diseases, are considered hazardous waste. We are trained to dispose of hazardous waste. Masks are never discarded with regular trash. Masks and other hazardous material are sent to be incinerated or disposed of properly.

This is an open post where you can discuss any subject matter. This post will not be censored or moderated. Disqus may automatically moderate certain words considered offensive. There are no rules in Open Posts. So enter at your own risk.