The founder of Theya Healthcare, has today, Monday 29 June 2020, announced the launch of it’s unique Reusable, Washable, Bamboo fibre, naturally antibacterial EU tested and approved (EU Standard CWA17553), protective face masks and back to work safely packs. Theya Healthcare which is headquartered at NovaUCD manufactures health and wellbeing garments including post-surgery medical garments.
CEO, Ciara Donlon, has written to the Minister Donohoe asking for masks to be included as a qualifying medical expense in the Health expenses tax relief scheme.
Ciara Donlon creator of the Bamboo fibre protective face masks says “As face masks are now mandatory on public transport and are with us for the foreseeable future, helping us to carry on with our daily lives safely, the cost of these masks is a completely unforeseen and never before necessary expense which will cost us all on an ongoing basis, at least until there is a vaccine for the Corona virus. Our post surgery customers are particularly vulnerable to illness and have to burden so many other costs during their treatment that this cost on top, may result in a lack of compliance based on lack of finances to ensure a regular, fresh supply of protective face masks.”
According to Prof Luke O’Neill, professor of biochemistry in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, in a recent interview with Ryan Tubridy on RTE Radio “If you and I are wearing masks now, it decreases our risk 99%. Isn’t that fantastic?”
“The average cost to the Irish consumer who is going about their daily business and using public transport for example, wearing the Theya reusable, bamboo fibre, protective face mask every day would be approx. €365 per annum or €1 per day including VAT. This cost could be substantially higher for example if someone chooses to wear single use disposable masks which on average can cost the wearer for the same supply, €620 per annum or €1.70 per day including VAT @ 23%. Not to mention the cost to the environment of disposing of these masks which take 400 years to biodegrade”
Ciara Donlon continues “In my opinion, the Irish government and our public health advisors have done a great job of taking care of us throughout this public health crisis, the COVID 19 payments have meant that no one was left without and the subsidies for small businesses is also a forward looking initiative. However, everybody is going to be at a loss financially and a simple measure such as the 20% tax rebate on the costs of masks that I am suggesting could mean some relief and incentive to purchase and wear masks in the settings recommended.”
Speaking to Miriam O’Callaghan on Primetime this week, Dr. Tomas Ryan, Associate Professor, Biochemistry Trinity College Dublin said “Now that we are out of lockdown, masks are going to be absolutely crucial to prevent super spreader events that will result in the virus going exponential again. We want to avoid future surges and masks are going to be a crucial part of that.”
The company who are in talks with some of the countries’ biggest employers and state agencies about providing them with back to work packs for their staff, pivoted during the Covid-19 crisis to source and provide PPE equipment to international customers as well as the HSE and the Department of Defence here at home following engagement with Enterprise Ireland, who were supporting companies to pivot to meet the new demand levels for PPE and other lifesaving equipment, as a result of Covid-19.
It was during this time that all breast checks and cancer screening and operations ceased leaving the Theya Healthcare team with additional work capacity and providing it’s Chief Executive with the inspiration to create a protective face mask made almost entirely from the wonder fabric bamboo.
The unique snood design, washable and reusable, bamboo fibre protective face mask by Theya is effective in blocking nasal and oral pollutants, as well as in filtering out pollen, and bacterial particles. Protection against the spread of such particles become particularly important when we exercise, studies show that our breathing rates can double or even quadruple when exercising, sending out higher numbers of potentially infectious respiratory droplets. The masks have been tested to EU standard (EU Standard CWA17553) for Bacterial Filtration Efficiency – 78%.
“As the founder of Theya Healthcare, when this pandemic struck our lives here in Ireland, I wanted to help in whatever way I could. I decided to utilise my knowledge of the amazing qualities of bamboo fabric to design a reusable mask that was not only sustainable, reusable, comfortable and highly effective but was also kind to the skin as well as the planet. I designed a snood mask that can be worn loosely around the neck, to be popped over your nose and mouth in situations where social distancing is difficult and or unpredictable.
“In March of this year, we at THEYA Healthcare recognised, that our unique fabric and design process has potential to help many more people. As well as extending our post -surgery range to include protective reusable masks, we are currently developing our range of garments to include additional lines including products for ostomates, which will have a positive impact on health and wellbeing around the world.” Ms. Donlon concluded.
The unique reusable, bamboo fibre protective face masks by Theya can be ordered online on www.theyahealthcare.com or by calling our sales team on 00 353 86 1070222
Theya Healthcare is an Irish company and is a member of Guaranteed Irish.
