Update: TechTimes has initially entitled the article "First FDA-Approved Transparent N99+ Mask with UV-C Sterilizing Now Available" We apologize for the mistake as the LEAF mask is only FDA-registered as of now and is not yet approved.
According to the Indiegogo account of the LEAF Mask, their campaign is officially over. However, those who wanted to acquire the mask could still claim the perks or packs they wish to get by clicking on the specific perk they wanted to order on their Indiegogo page. It should lead to a Checkout page where you should fill up details about shipping.
The page updates their backers of any changes in the production, but as of writing, the developers assured the people who have claimed the masks that production is going as planned.
The estimated shipping for the perks are in September 2020, and the shipping is available worldwide.
NOTE: As per Indiegogo, crowdfunding is different from shopping, meaning it may take time for your perks to arrive, compared to the traditional online shopping. Donating also does not guarantee you will acquire a perk. Nevertheless, if you want to know the update of your perk and whether you will get a perk and refund inquiries, you should contact the campaign owner directly, which is Redcliffe Healthcare.
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Face masks have become a massive part of society due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the "new normal" that followed, wherein people can't enter various establishments without a mask on.
While masks help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, there are indeed a few disadvantages, such as masking your identity and some people saying who find it difficult to breathe, especially with a mask on for a few hours straight.
New transparent N99+ mask
With that, thousands were immediately interested in a new smart mask that Redcliffe Healthcare in Detroit is planning to distribute called the LEAF Mask.
According to Yanko Design, the LEAF Mask is the first FDA-registered transparent smart mask with a few helpful features such as an N99-standard air-filtering capacity and a self-purifying function with the help of the UV-C light that ensures the wearer is more protected against the coronavirus.
UV light is believed to be a great way to sanitize and probably even kill coronavirus--and according to CNET, research from the National Academy of Sciences suggests that it could disinfect various surfaces and even water.
Perfect for face recognition
Nevertheless, perhaps the most significant feature of the LEAF mask is its transparent aesthetic. With it, one can easily communicate with family and friends, especially with people who have difficulty hearing and rely on lip-reading to communicate with others. You can also easily unlock your device with face recognition without removing your face covering.
In a report by The Wall Street Journal, certain devices, most especially iPhones, have had a difficult time unlocking devices via face recognition as the nose and mouth aren't visible.
However, it seems like tech companies are trying to find ways to surpass the hurdle. With the LEAF mask, the solution is now more straightforward. The mask also has an anti-fogging feature to ensure it doesn't fog up inside as you talk and keep the view of your mouth clear.
Where can you get the LEAF Mask?
The mask is also the world's first transparent mask that has an N99+ HEPA/HEPA carbon filters for active ventilation, which ensures that you don't accumulate and inhale carbon dioxide that is poisonous and could cause health problems.
Best of all, you can connect it to an app that tells you the quality of the air around you, which is extremely important as COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that also attacks other parts of the body.
The mask is made from medical-grade silicone, so it should be made for long-term use, something that could also help avoid pollution from disposable surgical masks. The filters, meanwhile, can last about a month. You can also buy a few extra filters that will last you a few months.
As of now, you can get the mask for $49 on its Indiegogo page, but there are also a few other packs you can get, including a $499 Luxe LEAF Mom's pack that includes two LEAF UV, two LEAF Pro, and eight filters. It comes in different sizes to fit babies and adults.
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