Are Cloth Face Masks Safe And Effective For Your Family? 

The pandemic has brought numerous changes to many people’s lives. One such change, and perhaps the biggest one, too, is how it made people more aware of how easy it is to spread an illness if there are no precautions. That’s why families around the globe are now actively taking steps to improve their health protocols. One such ‘health protocol’ is wearing face masks.

Face masks come in many styles, some of which are more effective than others. Cloth face masks are one of the most commonly used types but are often seen as the least effective.

What Are Cloth Face Masks?

A cloth face mask is essentially a face mask made of textiles or fabric, like cotton and wool. It serves the same purpose as a regular face mask. It protects the mouth and nose from external threats. These include irritants like viruses, bacteria, germs, and allergens.

It’s what public health agencies suggest people use in an epidemic. Remember that cloth face masks are not the same as the blue masks you’ll see people often wear. Those are called disposable surgical masks. Cloth face masks are not disposable but instead reusable for a few days. Hence, if you intend to use one of these, you must learn how to wash your mask by hand.

Cloth face masks are second only to surgical masks in terms of affordability and accessibility. The main issue is its effectiveness, as experts suggest it’s not as effective as other types.

How Effective Are Cloth Face Masks?

It makes sense why most would doubt the effectiveness of cloth face masks.

For one, due to the profit from selling cloth face masks, several manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon to produce subpar cloth face masks. Secondly, despite using cloth face masks, people still got sick during the pandemic. And lastly, there have been rumors lately that face masks, in general, are not that effective. So, are cloth face masks effective?

To start with, it’s worth noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using cloth face masks. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that they are effective to some extent.

However, it’s a fact that cloth face masks aren’t as effective as other types of masks, like N95 and surgical masks. But that’s not to say it’s not effective at all. If that’s what your experience has led you to believe, then there’s likely something that might be causing this issue.

What Makes Cloth Face Masks Ineffective?

There are many reasons why a family member who wears a cloth face mask can still spread their illness to other family members. Below are some examples of these reasons:

• The cloth face mask is subpar. For instance, it may only consist of one layer of fabric rather than the standard two. That means it only has half the usual protection.
• The cloth face mask has an irregular shape. Face masks should always cover the mouth and nose. If what you bought for your family has an unusual shape, like if it is too small, it may not be able to do its job properly. A general rule of thumb is that if you have to adjust the mask often, it may not be the right shape or size.
• The cloth face mask isn’t for children. Children’s face masks are relatively smaller than regular masks. If your kids use regular-sized masks, they might be too loose, creating a gap on the sides of your face where viruses, bacteria, irritants, and allergens can enter.
• You don’t clean the mask regularly. Bacteria and viruses can spread. Even if they can’t go directly to your nose or mouth, they can still stick to the outer side of the mask. If you don’t regularly clean it, then the microorganisms can spread and eventually reach the inner side of the mask. And just like that, they can finally get to your nose and mouth.

If even one of these applies to your situation, then it makes sense why you’d think cloth face masks aren’t as safe and effective. In that case, you should take steps to eliminate any hindrances that might be reducing the efficiency of your cloth face masks.

Summing It Up

Cloth face masks can help you be safe from airborne infections. That’s why many families believe that as long as they buy cloth face masks, they can enjoy their benefits immediately. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. You also need to use it and take care of it properly. As long as you do that, you can prevent avoidable illnesses.