Use of the fabric masks

Use of the fabric masks

Cloth masks were used in health care and community settings to protect the wearer from respiratory infections. Their use during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is controversial.

The filtration efficiency of fabric masks is generally lower than that of medical masks and respirators. However, if well designed and used properly, they can provide some protection.

Multilayer protection

Multi-layered ones that fit close to the face and are made of a water-repellent layer of fabric with a high thread count may provide adequate protection.

Unless a fabric mask has been proven to be as effective as a medical mask or N95 mask, they should not be worn by healthcare workers.

However, in social situations they can be used to prevent the spread of infection in the community by sick or asymptomatically infected people. Therefore, the public should be educated about their proper use.

Historical use

At the beginning of the 20th century, various types of cloth masks (made of cotton, gauze and other fabrics) were used in hospitals. Respiratory infection rates were low in health care workers using masks made of 2-3 layers of gauze.

Cloth mask
Cloth masks were also used to protect medical personnel from diphtheria and scarlet fever. During the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918, masks made of various layers of cotton were commonly used by health care workers and the public. Gauze masks were used during the second plague epidemic in Manchuria in 1920-1921 and a plague epidemic in Los Angeles in 1924. Infection rates among healthcare workers who wore masks were low. Gauze and cloth masks were also used by health care workers in the 1930s and 1940s to protect themselves from tuberculosis.

In the mid-20th century, after disposable medical masks were developed, the use of cloth masks was rejected.

However, in many Asian countries, the use of cloth masks is still widespread. During the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in China, cotton masks were used extensively by health care workers and the public, and observational studies showed that they were effective.