Brave Scots emergency service workers have launched a social media campaign to ‘brave the shave’ during the Coronavirus crisis.
Frontline workers are being urged to remove their facial hair to ensure potentially life-saving face masks fit correctly while dealing with suspected COVID-19 cases.
Paramedics and nursing staff are leading the charge on Twitter and have even launched a hashtag - #reachfortherazor - to encourage others to get on board.
The campaign has since gone global with health professionals across the world joining in and sharing pictures of their freshly trimmed faces.
Scottish Ambulance Service paramedic Matt Cooper tweeted: “Today is the big day… after 5 years with a beard it is coming off so I can be fitted for a mask this week.
“I can’t even remember what I look like without one.
Sharing his grand reveal pictures, he added: “Well that’s me done… Can I encourage others frontline staff to #reachfortherazor and remove their beards.
“Am I the only person so far who seems to have aged by removing their beard? I can now wear the appropriate PPE to keep me and the patients safe.”
Fellow paramedic Al Shields also joined in by sharing his pictures and said: “Only one of these faces is any good for the @Scotambservice face fit testing.”
And the Royal College of Nursing Lothian Branch shared a picture of bank nurse Mike Baillie-Howat.
They wrote: “Be like Mike and #reachfortherazor to keep you and your patients safe if you are required to be involved in Aerosol Generating Procedures in your role.”
