This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-52415317

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Coronavirus: 'I had to shave off my beard so I could wear a face mask' Coronavirus: 'I had to shave off my beard so I could wear a face mask'
(about 8 hours later)
John Armstrong has had a beard since he was first able to grow one as a teenager. John Adamson has had a beard since he was first able to grow one as a teenager.
A member of Edinburgh Beard and Moustache Club, it had always been a strong part of his identity.A member of Edinburgh Beard and Moustache Club, it had always been a strong part of his identity.
So the 29-year-old was "devastated" when the need to wear a face mask for his job as a care assistant meant it was curtains for his facial hair.So the 29-year-old was "devastated" when the need to wear a face mask for his job as a care assistant meant it was curtains for his facial hair.
John explained: "The mask was pressing on my face so tightly that it pushed the hair up my nose and into my mouth.John explained: "The mask was pressing on my face so tightly that it pushed the hair up my nose and into my mouth.
"The hair was sticking outside the mask, but it was also going inside."The hair was sticking outside the mask, but it was also going inside.
"I was struggling to breathe... it was a real hazard.""I was struggling to breathe... it was a real hazard."
He tried buying several different types of face masks to see if any others would provide a solution.He tried buying several different types of face masks to see if any others would provide a solution.
"I tried everything to keep the beard as it is very important to me. Many folk have tried and failed to get me to shave it off," said John."I tried everything to keep the beard as it is very important to me. Many folk have tried and failed to get me to shave it off," said John.
But eventually he ran out of options and was forced to shave off his beard.But eventually he ran out of options and was forced to shave off his beard.
He said: "I go into the homes of vulnerable people, so I need to wear a mask for my job.He said: "I go into the homes of vulnerable people, so I need to wear a mask for my job.
"I had to make the decision to swallow my pride and shave it off."I had to make the decision to swallow my pride and shave it off.
"At first I got my clippers and started shaving the sides as I was trying to see if I could keep some of it."At first I got my clippers and started shaving the sides as I was trying to see if I could keep some of it.
"But in the end I had to take the whole thing off. It was devastating because it's like an arm or a leg to me.""But in the end I had to take the whole thing off. It was devastating because it's like an arm or a leg to me."
John said his wife of 10 years had never seen his chin before he shaved.John said his wife of 10 years had never seen his chin before he shaved.
"I just can't get used to it and I don't like how I look now," he added."I just can't get used to it and I don't like how I look now," he added.
"In fact, I would be more comfortable having no clothes on than having a naked chin."In fact, I would be more comfortable having no clothes on than having a naked chin.
"I did it for a really good reason, but I don't like it at all.""I did it for a really good reason, but I don't like it at all."
John, from Gifford in East Lothian, estimated that his beard would take at least three months to grow back.John, from Gifford in East Lothian, estimated that his beard would take at least three months to grow back.
He said: "I'm now having to shave twice a day because the hair grows so quickly.He said: "I'm now having to shave twice a day because the hair grows so quickly.
"Once this is all over I'm growing it back.""Once this is all over I'm growing it back."