Nose-only mask for dining out in South Korea faces criticism, ridicule

n unusually designed nose-only mask that can be can worn while dining out has faced criticism and ridicule online after it was released in South Korea.

The "kosk" (nose-only mask; 'ko' means nose in Korean), which has been brought to the market by a company called Atman, costs 9,800 won ($8.13) for a box of 10 on Coupang, an online retailer, reports The Guardian.

The mask has two pieces, one covers nose while the other covers mouth. The mouth part can be uncovered while eating and drinking. 

The masks have garnered a lot of attention on the web, with many saying that the design hardly makes it protective against Covid-19, while some went as far as saying it is the "next level stupidity!"

According to some studies, the nose is the easiest route for the coronavirus to enter the body. However, since Covid-19 can infect through mouth also, "it probably makes a marginal difference," said Professor Catherine Bennett, chair in epidemiology within Deakin University's Institute for Health Transformation in Australia.