This New Mask Allows For Drinking Without Taking It Off

As more businesses across the country begin to reopen amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there's been questions about how patrons, as well as servers and employees, can safely eat and drink without wearing a mask. This debacle inspired the company Redee to create a new type of mask that allows mask wearers to safely drink through a straw without removing their masks.

"Our goal is to help people safely drink with their masks on and slow the spread," Redee founder Ryan Lee said in a statement to CNN. "Since masks might be here for a while, we felt there needed to be something that lets us keep our masks on and have a drink when we're shopping, at a bar, on a plane or at places where masks are required or social distancing is difficult."

While masks with straw holes or zippers that can be opened for drinking do exist, they still expose the users mouth while drinking. This is where Redee's masks differs. In effort to help essential workers, such as baristas, waitresses, cashiers and flight attendants, who have to work long hours while wearing a mask, Redee created a mask that allows a straw to be inserted from the bottom of the mask while the mouth remains safely covered.

"Since seeing our mask, so many people have told us that they've been wanting to have their water, coffee or tea while they're out or working, but can't," Lee explained. "Our product hopefully gives people around the world an easy way to safely enjoy their drink and still do their part by keeping their mask on."

One place where eating and drinking while wearing a mask has been particularly difficult is at reopened theme parks, such as Disney World and Universal Studios. Disney was forced to update its mask policy after guests were seen walking around with their masks off while sipping on a beverage. The policy now states:

"Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing."

The new Redee mask will allow people to safely move around while being able to sip drinks through a straw without uncovering their nose and mouth. The Redee Mask is described as "one-size-fits-most" and comes with adjustable ear straps. It is available to purchase online for $24.99. Will you be giving this new mask a try?

Photo: Getty/Redee