Questions raised over face masks sold online

The QuidsIn deal advertised five surgical masks for £9.95 and has raised concerns over the misuse of masks, with only a poor quality image explaining correct mask use on the website.

Because QuidsIn split the masks from bigger packages into groups of five for resale, the masks were shipped without guidance on how to use them correctly.

At no point was it explained to customers that the masks were disposable and single use.

When asked for clarification, QuidsIn product manager Zoulls Zenonos said that the masks were single use.

‘They’re meant to be throwaway masks but it depends on who you speak to, because some of them are washing them and reusing them and they’re fine.

‘The hospitals, because they’ve got health requirements, just use them for a couple of hours and throw them away.’

The World Health Organisation guidance on surgical mask use is to dispose of it immediately after use before washing your hands.

It also actively discourages reusing surgical masks.

Use of the product could also potentially be against Public Health guidelines.

At a media briefing earlier this month, Dr Nicola Brink was unequivocal in her call for the public to use cloth masks instead of surgical masks.

‘Surgical masks need to be used by health care workers in health care settings,’ she said.

‘There is a worldwide shortage and we would ask for people not to use them in the community.’

Dr Brink also warned that masks might not protect the user.

‘I think people need to be cognisant of the fact that using a mask actually isn’t so much going to protect them from infection but might prevent them from transmitting infection,’ she said.

The QuidsIn advert appeared to contradict Dr Brink’s comment.

‘Stay safe with these surgical designed face masks,’ the advert read. ‘Offers essential protection when leaving the home.

‘Keep yourself and others protected while out shopping or during your exercise time.’

When challenged on the accuracy of these claims, Mr Zunonos suggested that mask use could become compulsory in a post-lockdown world.

‘It is becoming increasingly accepted that face masks offer far better protection than not wearing a face mask whatsoever, hence all medical NHS staff, care home and frontline staff are asked to wear personal protective equipment.

‘Experts, it seems, are leaning towards masks becoming accepted as a ‘‘post lockdown’’ requirement.’

Mr Zunonos also defended the pricing of the deal and the 50% discount and said high costs associated with delivering the masks from its Jersey headquarters to Guernsey played a part.

‘We believe we are offering an opportunity for people to purchase face masks at a very reasonable cost and will not look to profiteer,’ he said.

Many suppliers sold the product for twice the QuidsIn price, he said, which justified the 50% discount.

He said the company would consider changing the wording of future offers and was open to including more information in future mask sales.

Head of Law Enforcement Ruari Hardy said at a press briefing there were avenues for members of the public to follow should they be concerned about misleading advertising.

‘If members of the public want to seek advice in the first instance they could contact Trading Standards and those professionals in that area can give some advice.

‘Particularly if something is purporting to be something that it may not be,’ Deputy Gavin St Pier added.