Cloth facemask

For the mask that keeps bacteria and viruses out, see N95 and FFP rules.

A cloth facemask covers the mouth and nose. These masks are made of textiles. Cotton is used often. It can be used to protect against air pollution, but they do not work well.^[1][2][3]

A simple cloth face covering made from denim

During the Spanish flu pandemic of 1919, a man is not allowed on a tram because he does not wear a mask.

Cloth facemasks may stop some droplets of liquid. Today, medical doctors use respirators, which work well. A scientific paper done in 2010 said 40 to 90 percent of dust goes by a cloth facemask.^[4]

Cloth face masks were used a lot in the COVID-19 pandemic, when surgical and other face covers could not be gotten.^[5][6]

A N95 should be used to stop viruses and bacteria like tuberculosis.^[7]