Since the coronavirus pandemic began and the mandatory use of a mask was extended in almost all areas – except in homes – there was one area that has remained on the sidelines of this debate: television. In the talk shows, debates or informative programs, which take place in a closed space such as a set, the presenters and guests stand out for not wearing the mask in front of the cameras, a contrast that is even more appreciated when they contact reporters who are outdoors, who do carry it. The program The Hour of the 1 has recognized that this is one of the questions that most come to them from their viewers, and has sought answers in this regard.
“Don’t take her not entirely compatible with the world of television“, said the presenter, Mónica López, who immediately covered her face with her hands, simulating the area that would cover a mask.” Understanding like this is much more difficult, “López has defended.
In this sense, the program has contacted the chemistry and scientific communicator Deborah Garcia Bello, known on social networks as Deborah Ciencia, who has explained what the regulations say in this regard and what preventive measures are taken on television sets.
According to the expert, the regulation exempts some professional activities of the use of the mask because they are incompatible. “Let’s think, for example, of actors, who continue to make movies and series, or musicians. A musician who plays a wind instrument cannot wear a mask, and neither can they wear a mask on television,” said Deborah Ciencia.
The disseminator has also pointed out that “being without a mask it is no privilegeIn the end there is that risk that we have to mitigate with other complementary measures “.
When it comes to clarifying why the presenters do not wear a mask, Deborah Ciencia has referred to Mónica López’s gesture of covering her mouth with her hand. “If I cover my mouth I lose half of my non-verbal communication. It is something that also happens in other professions. I am also a teacher, and when you teach with a mask it is a challenge, “she says.
The use of a mask on the set would also impair communication with some groups, such as deaf or hard of hearing people, “who rely on lip reading.”
Preventive measures on set
Deborah Ciencia has also referred to the measures taken on television to alleviate the absence of the mask. “Something that is not seen from home is that the television sets are very large. Those ceilings are 10 meters, they are very large spaces,” said the promoter.
At this point, he has also indicated that it can be compared to being outside thanks to a CO2 meter. “I have not seen any set that exceeds 500 or 600 ppm CO2, this means that it is very well ventilated, which is practically the same as working outside. “
In addition, the scientific popularizer continued, “the main contagion route is through aerosols and if you measure CO2 and it is so low means there is no concentration of aerosols“, has clarified.
Likewise, Deborah has highlighted distance that have presenters and guests on set is at least of the meters between them, but not seen on camera. “From home it seems that you are much closer than you are,” he explained.
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