The invisible mask resembles a nasal insert and can filter dust and exhaust fumes.
Traffic police are wearing the latest "gadget" while on duty.
■ Resembling a nasal insert, it can filter dust and exhaust fumes
■ It also allows traffic police and assistants to easily blow their whistles
■ Have you heard of the "invisible mask"? This small gadget, similar to a nasal insert, has recently become a secret weapon for Shanghai traffic police.
■ The issue of whether traffic police should wear masks while on duty in smoggy weather has sparked discussion, and this "invisible mask" may help resolve the debate, though its actual effectiveness is still being tested by the police.
■ "Nasal Insert" vs. Mask
■ "The newly issued 'gadget'—wearing it to direct traffic gives you +40 defense, +20 stamina, -5 comfort, and as for charm..." A Weibo post by Songjiang traffic police yesterday drew considerable attention. The picture shows the "gadget," which resembles a nasal insert. A small frame with fiber filter pads attached to both ends is inserted into the nostrils to function.
■ Some say that masks block dust but are not convenient for blowing whistles, while the "nasal insert" is compact, stylish, and convenient, though slightly less effective at blocking dust. Which is better suited for outdoor use by traffic police?
■ According to a police department staff member, this product is called the "invisible mask." The Shanghai Traffic Police Corps recently distributed it to frontline traffic police and assistants across various districts and counties as part of their duty gear. An officer who has worn the "invisible mask" said it felt a bit unfamiliar at first, with a slight foreign body sensation, but it wasn’t too uncomfortable.
■ On Taobao, similar products are quite popular among netizens. Searching the keyword "invisible mask" yields over a hundred results. Most products resemble nasal inserts, with prices ranging from tens to over a hundred yuan. One Shanghai online store sold 46 units in 30 days. The shop owner explained that the invisible mask can filter air pollutants, including dust, PM2.5, car exhaust, pollen, and more.
■ Ninety percent support police protection
■ "The invisible mask can protect the health of outdoor workers. Its effect might not be as good as a regular mask, but wearing a mask while enforcing laws makes it inconvenient to blow a whistle," said the aforementioned police staff member.
■ In fact, the topic of whether traffic police should wear masks while on duty in smoggy weather once sparked a debate online. In a Weibo survey, 90% of netizens supported traffic police wearing masks in smoggy conditions. Jinan in Shandong Province also recently became the first city in China where traffic police wore masks while on duty. "The dust at intersections is so thick, and the exhaust is so strong. Standing here all day is really harmful to your health. We should have had masks long ago," a resident once commented.
■ According to media reports, traffic police wearing masks in smoggy weather have also been spotted recently on the streets of Shanghai. Some officers feel it’s not very feasible—first, it affects work, and second, it creates a sense of distance from the public. "Wearing a mask while working isn’t convenient. If I had the choice, I wouldn’t wear one," said one officer.
■ "We are still testing the invisible mask," said the police staff member. The actual effectiveness of the invisible mask still needs to be evaluated over time through trials.