UK Company with RI Facility Introduces Paper Masks, Dubbed a “Scam” By Leading Health Expert

UK Company with RI Facility Introduces Paper Masks, Dubbed a “Scam” By Leading Health Expert

The British-owned printing company Moo.com announced this week the launch of a new type of paper mask that can be printed on for marketing purposes. 

The company has a production facility in Rhode Island.

Moo’s marketing material says the mask is perfect for “grocery shopping, real estate viewings, small businesses with face-to-face services  and waiting rooms or queues.”

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'Queues' is the British term for lining up.

“Our custom face masks are intended to be used in public places where social distancing can be tricky. They provide extra reassurance for your customers, clients, and colleagues …“ says Moo on its website,

The only problem with the mask is it doesn’t meet any of the standards for protection for others. 

Health Expert Questions Benefits

A top health expert and researcher says the mask is a scam.

Dr. Bruce Spiess, a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Florida College of Medicine, who was heralded for developing protective masks out of hospital materials early in the coronavirus outbreak before mass production kicked in, ridiculed the mask by Moo for its lack of protection.

“Wow, this looks like a scam and scary stuff. Why not put a Mcdonald's box over your face!” wrote Dr. Spiess in an email to GoLocal.

Spiess, a noted researcher, was the first to author studies pertaining to the use of thromboelastography for heart surgery, and he has published extensively in that area, calling on clinicians to develop and utilize whole blood testing in conjunction with algorithms for coagulopathy treatment.

Health experts have urged the public to wear masks and have rated masks effectiveness — but none have even contemplated a piece of paper.  GoLocal reviewed multiple studies on masks that evaluated the efficacy of different types and designs and none of the studies even contemplated a mask made of dense, non-breathable paper.

One of the leading mask studies was conducted by researchers at Duke was published in August in Science Advances.

GoLocal repeatedly requested if the mask made out of a sheet of paper had been reviewed by any health expert or if the company could provide any proof if a folded piece of paper provided any protection to others. The spokesperson for Moo refused to provide any proof of protection or offer any third-party evaluation affirming that a piece of paper could provide such protection. 

“It is designed to cover an individual’s nose and mouth to avoid dispelling droplets similar to other masks and face coverings. It’s not designed to be used as medical ppe. This is a one time use mask,” said Mike Raia, spokesman for the company.

Raia did not respond after GoLocal provided Dr. Spiess comments.

On the FAQ section of the site -- Moo does write, "MOO face masks are not intended for medical use. Please read the CDC guidelines for more information about how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19."

More than 180,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus.

As top national experts such as Dr. Anthony Fauci to Dr. Ali Kahn at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health state, you wear a mask to protect others.