What is a surgical mask?
Q: What is a surgical mask?
A: A surgical mask, also known as a procedure mask, medical mask or face mask, is a type of protective mask worn by health professionals during surgery and nursing. It is designed to catch bacteria shed in liquid droplets and aerosols from the wearer's mouth and nose.
Q: Are surgical masks effective at protecting against airborne particles?
A: No, they are not as effective as respirators which provide better protection against airborne particles.
Q: How are surgical masks made?
A: Surgical masks are made of a nonwoven fabric created using a melt blowing process.
Q: When did surgical masks come into use?
A: They came into use in the 1960s and largely replaced cloth facemasks in developed countries.
Q: Why do people wear surgical masks in East Asian countries?
A: People wear them to reduce the chance of spreading airborne diseases to others, and to prevent the breathing in of airborne dust particles created by air pollution. Additionally, they have become popular fashion statements particularly among East Asian youth culture influenced by Japanese and Korean pop culture.
Q: Is there currently a shortage of surgical masks due to coronavirus pandemic?
A: Yes, there is currently a shortage of surgical masks due to the ongoing 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.
