With the pandemic settling back in again for round two and the summer heat at its peak, a piece of fabric on your face might be just the thing to set you off on an online rant about masks and 2020. However, before you start enacting your keyboard warrior privileges…
… Let us take you on a guided tour through the History of the Medical Mask!
Who would have known that masks are not an innovation brought about by COVID-19? Contrary to what a Karen (no offence to the outgoing MHSA President, Ms Stoner) would be quick to tell you, masks are and have been a staple in combatting the spread of viral infections and disease over past centuries.
Masks date back to the classic Plague masks that have been overused and glorified in pop culture as icons of classic horror or goth grunge. These masks served to contain the spread of the bubonic plague back in the 17th century. Usually donned by plague doctors, the get-up featured a leather headdress with a classic long-pointed beak. Beyond a stylistic choice, the beak’s purpose was to harbour aromatics and perfumes meant to mask bad odours and combat air-borne contagion. Granted, the mask was engineered based on the now-defunct theory of miasma. So, the 17th century Karens might have had it right on this one.
Cut to the 18th century, as fears of a plague resurgence slowly faded away, so did the use of masks by doctors. Nonetheless, the general public slowly started realizing that certain airborne particles might be harmful to inhale. This understanding saw the rise of mask-use amongst coal miners and gradually even physicians. However, it took decades to convince even medical professionals that masks should be worn at the very least during surgeries. At the brink of the 20th century, researchers were still documenting the lack of masks by practising surgeons. Only after a couple of modern plagues and an impressive rising death toll, did masks find their way to hospital corridors and public areas.
Two world wars and an industrial revolution later…
…masks started working their way into polluted areas in an attempt to combat smog. A growing consensus on the usefulness of masks was increasingly fostered within the medical community and masks quickly became staples in countries like China, Japan, Thailand and India amongst others. This brings us to the question of how many Westerners are still unfortunately not convinced on wearing masks in 2020 although they have long been a norm in other parts of the world. We are unsure of the answer, but what is certain is that our duty remains to advocate for mask-wearing (as well as the other safety precautions advised by the authorities).
So, whenever you have a penchant for complaining about masks, think of how much worse a ventilator would feel, Karen.
With countries like Australia and China amongst others, being urged to wear masks even in open spaces, The Third Eye team urges everyone to do their part and keep their masks on at least whilst in closed spaces.
