There has been a lot of debate about the wearing of masks - some scientific and some cultural. The opinions vary greatly depending on the country of origin, but recently, western experts are embracing the idea of using masks. And while N95 'surgical' grade masks should be kept for front line healthcare workers, cotton masks such as these are gaining support in helping to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, particularly for people who are carrying the virus, but don't have symptoms..
"Writing last month, Adrien Burch, an expert in microbiology at the University of California, Berkeley, noted that "despite hearing that face masks 'don't work,' you probably haven't seen any strong evidence to support that claim. That's because it doesn't exist.In fact, there is evidence of the exact opposite: that masks help prevent viral infections like the current pandemic....
"Based on the research, face masks are much more likely to help than to hurt," according to Burch. "Even if it's just a homemade cloth mask, if you wear it correctly and avoid touching it, the science suggests that it won't hurt you and will most likely reduce your exposure to the virus."
(CNN, James Griffiths, April 1, 2020)
What's more: "The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is now advising Americans to voluntarily wear a basic cloth or fabric face mask when they go out to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.” Los Angeles Times, April 3, 2020