Kids, masks & back-to-school FAQs: Are cloth masks best to protect against COVID-19? How often should masks be washed?
Kids, masks & back-to-school FAQs: Are cloth masks best to protect against COVID-19? How often should masks be washed?
By Dasantila Golemi-Kotra
Professor, Biology,
York University, Canada
With kids heading back to school in masks this year, many parents are wondering about different types of masks and how to care for them. Here are answers to some of the most common mask questions.
Are cloth or disposable masks best for all-day wear?
When considering the best choice of face covering for a child to wear for the duration of a school day, one should look at the mask fabric, whether it absorbs sweat and oil secreted from the skin and is not irritating to the skin, and the size of the face mask and whether it fits well on the child’s face.
Both cloth and disposable face masks, when worn properly on the face with little to no gaps around the nose, cheeks or underneath the chin, perform equally well in terms of reducing the respiratory droplets expelled by the wearer. Therefore, it is reasonable to look out for cloth masks that may offer the wearer less face irritation. However, it is important to pay attention to the fabric, design and fit of the cloth face masks.
Comments (0)