The outbreak of SARS, bird flu, Ebola and most recently the corona virus along with increased air pollution and fine dust make masks an indispensable item when going out.
According to authors Charles A. Rockwood and Don O’Donoghue of the study The Surgical Mask: Its Development, Usage, and Efficiency , the medical mask – the first version of today’s mask – was the idea of the micrologist. German scientist Carl Flugge and developed by French surgeon Paul Berger around 1897-1899. The predecessor of the mask was a rectangular gauze consisting of 6 layers of gauze, sewn on the bottom edge with a disinfected linen apron and the upper border held close to the base of the nose with a tie at the back of the neck. (Photo: Axios).
Masks in the early 20th century were used mainly in the medical field, to avoid the spread of infectious diseases between patients and doctors. In the process of development, masks are increasingly being researched and improved by the medical world in terms of shape and function and gradually become indispensable items when going out. (Photo: New York Post).
According to Quartz, masks began to be introduced and popularized in Asian countries in the early 20th century when a flu pandemic killed 20-40 million people around the world, of which India suffered. severe consequences when losing more than 5% of the population. (Photo: AP).
Today, masks are common in almost every country, but are especially popular in East Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and China. This is explained by the pandemics that broke out in this area as well as the polluted atmosphere and the Eastern concept – breath is the determining factor for health. (Image: Getty).
The SARS epidemic broke out in 2002-2003, avian flu in 2006-2009, Ebola in 2014 and most recently the corona virus with the epidemic center in Wuhan city (China) with increased air pollution and fine dust. making masks an indispensable item for people in public places. (Photo: MEO).
Not only is it a tool to fight air pollution and disease, today’s face mask is also a fashion item for young people. Masks of various sizes and designs with all kinds of fancy and trendy motifs have been introduced on famous fashion catwalks in China and Japan in the past few years. (Photo: Tokyo Fashion, @kaya127s).
Studies also show that, for many Asian teenagers, masks also act as a “social firewall”. Many people use masks, latex, and headphones in public as a sign to avoid social interactions with people around. (Photo: pollutionairmask).