"As the pandemic continues, more than half of the world’s countries are mandating the wearing of face masks in public. Is it helping to slow the spread of COVID-19?
"Months into the pandemic, countries around the world are seeking to tighten public health policies to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, until there is an effective vaccine. With growing evidence that face coverings limit the virus’s transmission, more than one hundred countries have issued nationwide mask mandates. Others, including the United States and Brazil — which have the two highest confirmed case counts and death tolls — have decided against federal requirements, though some state and city officials have issued mask orders. Without national mandates, large percentages of people choose to forgo masks."1
“Cloth face masks were first used by surgeons in 1897 to prevent contamination of the surgical site, and in the early 20th century to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the community, including during the 1918–19 influenza pandemic. In the 1920s and 30s their efficiency in excluding bacteria, and clinical efficacy in reducing surgical site infections, were demonstrated in experimental and observational studies. These studies showed that mask efficiency was directly related to the closeness of the mesh and the number of thicknesses of gauze,” according to a Be Covid Safe document produced by the Australian Government – a nation with near zero transmission one year after their first Covid-19 outbreak.
That paper goes on to report, “Reusable cloth masks should be washed after each use or at least daily. Prolonged use, reuse without washing and touching or adjusting masks can lead to self-contamination and infection (of the wearer). They are increasingly less effective as they become increasingly damp.”
Additionally, in testing multiple-layer fabric masks had equal protection qualities to medial masks, plus some advantages: “Cotton performed better at higher thread counts. Washable, reusable fabrics such as cotton reduce adverse environmental effects of widespread use of disposable, non-biodegradable face masks.”
Masks and face coverings have become a way of life during this on-going coronavirus pandemic. My wife has now produced over 500 hand-made cotton face masks in a rainbow of colors and sizes from grandchildren to great-grandparents out of dress shirts, t-shirts, and other under garments. Her functional fiber art dangles to dry after frequent washings as a visual reminder of this new piece of safety apparel.
According to the CDC website: "CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people. Effective February 2, 2021, masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations."
According to Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor of Harvard Health Publishing, "The best available evidence shows that we should all be wearing masks, because doing so will reduce spread of infection and save lives. It’s much harder to make a compelling case against wearing masks."
