Cloth facemask facts for kids

A simple cloth face covering made from denim

During the Spanish flu pandemic of 1919, a man is not allowed on a tram because he does not wear a mask.

A cloth facemask is a face covering which is used to cover the mouth and nose. As the name suggests, these masks are made of textiles. Cotton is commonly used. Starting with the 19th century, such masks have been used by healthcare professionals. They are also used to protect against air pollution, although they may not be very effective in protecting against air pollution.

Depending on the design, they can be effective stopping the transmission of disease spread by droplets of liquid. Today, healthcare professionals often use surgical masks or respirators, which offer better protection. A study done in 2010 found that 40 to 90 percent of particles pass through a cloth facemask.

Cloth face masks were commonly used during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, especially when surgical and other medical face coverings were not available.

Images for kids

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  Two French cloth masks certified by AFNOR. The white mask is made of polypropylene and the black one is made of cotton.

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  Rhode Island National Guardsmen sew face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, April 6, 2020.