How proper design and innovation can increase the use of face masks?

Who thought wearing face masks would become a necessity? But, not only it's a necessity now, but people are finding it cool and hippy, they are also experimenting with materials and colours.

Coronavirus wreaked havoc in most parts of the world, with that came the precautionary measures taken by people to protect themselves from the deadly virus. One such protection equipment is the face mask. It acts as a shield to stop the virus from spreading in case the infected person is wearing it, or it can stop the virus from getting inhaled for a normal person.

World is still suffering from the pandemic and the fear and paranoia is not going to vanish until we have a vaccine. While the vaccine might take a year or more, the question of life or livelihood has brought people back on the streets and businesses have started opening up. Governments across the world are opening up their countries while advising safety precaution such as wearing masks, cleaning hands social distancing etc. While these measures do not give the same kind of peace of mind as a vaccine, they give a little bit of confidence for people to go out and do their chores with hope of not getting infected. This confidence level can be increased by the safety standards of the mask we wear. For instance, a medical grade mask would give more confidence than a fabric mask.

Coronavirus is mainly transmitted when people, cough, sneeze, talk, spit etc. The virus is transmitted via virus-containing particles emitted during these activities. If we wear an N95 mask properly, we can block this spread entirely. High filtration surgical masks can also block most of these particles but isn't as effective for the smaller particles which is also called aerosols, thus a cut below the N95 mask. It's still to be ascertained how much COVID-19 spreads from aerosols? The amount of spread will help us to make the decision if an N95 mask is worth having with its added protection. While N95 masks are uncomfortable to wear, it can be said with absolute certainty that having a good mask will always prevent us from getting infected. The masks made of cloth and fabric etc. are colourful, fashionable and comfortable but does not provide the same amount of protection an N95 mask does.

A fabric or cloth mask still obstructs the transmission by stopping the particle emission but it does not prevent the particle emission fully. Even at this level of protection, if used widely by people, it can significantly reduce transmission. It is more effective on the transmitting side than the receiving side. When the particles are launched from the carrier, a cloth mask can seriously obstruct the particle emission causing the hyperbola of the travelling virus to shorten, leading to less infection. These also provide some protection from the particles coming in, but acts predominantly as a "source control' based preventive measure. In this method, you have to rely on other people and hope they are wearing their mask properly so the transmission is limited.  All, it takes is a one super-spreader not wearing a mask to infect numerous others.

We discussed how N95 masks and High filtration masks have their own limitations with comfort and cloth masks having less blocking ability. This begs the question, can we design a mask that is as effective as an N95 or a high filtration mask regarding performance and at the same time is super comfortable, scalable, stylish, reusable and cost effective. 

As discussed, protection depends on the level of infection caused by aerosols. If the effect is higher than the N95 with its additional protection comes really handy. Protection of a mask depends upon its ability to deflect and filter the emitted particles originating from the mouth or nose etc. The fitting of the masks is another important imperative for better performance and adds to its overall deflecting and filtering ability. Fitting makes sure the mask seals around the face and prevents particles from coming around it. Filtration just below N95 could be achieved by combining cotton, silk, flannel and chiffon etc. Fit can be enhanced by lining the inside of masks with material from nylon stocking or bracing it using rubber brand. In short there are many ways of experimenting and coming up with the best protection and fit.

Design must use commonly available materials that can be commercially purchased in huge quantities. It is easier to scale manufacturing of face masks than testing or treatment, so it must be scalable. Multiple design on same or different material can be done for better usage and rotation.

It should be comfortable enough to be worn throughout the day. A mask that isn't comfortable would start itching the face or people would start touching it several times. All these actions on the part of the wearer can be counterproductive and can increase infection.

Since mask is something which people wouldn't want to keep buying, using and then throwing away. It should be washable and reusable.

Masks must be stylish for widespread adoption of the trend. If it looks good on people and can be experimented with the design, print and colours, it might turn out to be the next fashion symbol and people would just wear it even if they don't have to. Not only would this help in the fight against corona but it might kick up a whole new industry.

Conclusion:

Masks are important as it is a way for all of us to start getting our lives in the first gear after coronavirus pandemic, while we wait for the vaccine to come up. Since people have to earn their living, they have to venture out, a mask gives them that little hope of prevention from getting infected while they venture outside. Since masks are scalable and can be manufactured in bulk, it should be promoted aggressively while innovating with the design to improve its protection, comfort, re-usability and style quotient. With an increase in the level of protection, comfort and styling, it would be widely used and promoted. This will in turn ensure widespread acceptability and use, which indirectly reduces the transmission of the coronavirus.