From producer to wearer — lifecycle of the humble face mask

Published May 16, 2020, 1:57 PM

The humble mask has become a universal symbol of the new coronavirus pandemic and a crucial means of limiting contagion.

But where do they come from? Where are they mandatory? What do they cost and where do they end up?

Contrasting cover-up rationales

Wearing a mask has been quite common in much of eastern Asia since the SARS epidemic of 2002-2003 made it a “daily, recreational, personalised” item, says medical anthropologist Christos Lynteris.

In Japan, wearing surgical style masks is common in winter and spring, both as a means of protecting oneself and others from infection.

In contrast, in Europe wearing one has been rare — in France, the post-revolution spirit of enlightenment means a “citizen presents himself face uncovered in public spaces”, anthropologist Frederic Keck told Le Monde.

Lack of familiarity is evidenced by the number of people who wear them in unorthodox fashion — under the chin or with the nose uncovered.

Further afield, in Iraq, AFP witnessed some shoppers leaving a store passing their masks on to those about to go inside…

Rules… and reticence

In around 50 countries, wearing a mask is currently mandatory nationwide. Others require one in some zones and still others simply recommend using one.

In the United Arab Emirates, eschewing one means a fine of around $200 while in Chad the punishment is arrest and up to 15 days in jail.

In the US town of Stillwater, Oklahoma, the mayor dropped an order insisting on masks in shops after some residents, seeing an infringement of civil liberties, threatened store employees.

Austrians have been more compliant with demands to don masks both in stores and on public transport — the latter requirement is now in force in France.

At the outset of the pandemic, French authorities indicated facial protection was not necessary — stocks were in any case in short supply.

Mind the production gap

Supply has been a major problem — the bulk of production being Asian in origin with China producing around 50 percent of global stocks of surgical varieties.

With the pandemic starting in China, the country felt bound to distribute on home soil first.

“Once the need for masks in China exploded our subcontractor firms in China no longer had the right to export,” David Guiho of French specialist protective equipment group Delta Plus told AFP.

When Chinese exports did resume demand was frantic, leaving major shortages from Italy and Spain to Egypt.

“With globalisation we got carried away thinking there would always be (trade) flows between countries. With this crisis we found everyone turned in on themselves,” Stephane Billon, a health affairs economist, told AFP.

SOURCE: https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/16/from-producer-to-wearer-lifecycle-of-the-humble-face-mask/