The coronavirus pandemic has vastly changed the way we live our day-to-day lives. One of the biggest changes is the necessity of wearing a mask to prevent the further spread of the virus. Many are looking for alternatives that would look nicer and more fashionable compared to your typical surgical mask. Thus the rise in popularity of the lace mask. But the question remains, is the lace mask effective for virus protection?
The short answer is no. Lace masks are not effective in protecting you and the people around you from spreading the Covid-19 virus.
There are many sellers online marketing lace masks as a fashionable alternative to surgical or cloth masks. You can find them on the popular eCommerce site Etsy. But if you read the fine print, sellers often do mention that they’re for style and not for protection. Wearing a lace mask might be enough to meet mandates that require individuals to wear a mask outside. But it is also dangerous. It is ineffective in protecting yourself and others from Covid-19 transmission.
Why the lace mask isn’t effective for virus protection?
Requiring people to wear masks has proven to be an effective way to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It’s a proven way to protect yourself and others from contracting the disease. Covid-19 is transmitted through air droplets from coughing and sneezing or even just talking. Wearing a mask ensures that if you’re a carrier, there’s less chance to spread it to others. This is because your mask contains the virus particles. It also helps prevent you from inhaling those same air droplets from others.
But any mask won’t do. Coronavirus particles are very, very small, approximately ≈0.1 μm in diameter. It is impossible to see with the naked eye. You need a mask specifically designed to make sure those particles can’t go through. A very simple way to tell if a mask can protect you from Coronavirus or not is if you can see the holes. If the holes are visible, then Covid-19 particles can get through them. Lace, while pretty, also have pretty visible holes. And if you can see them, Coronavirus particles can get through them.
So what masks do work?
Medical-grade disposable masks like surgical and N95 masks are effective against the virus. With masks becoming a daily need, people also want to get a mask that they can reuse and rewash. It helps to save on costs and also protect the environment.
Cloth masks can be effective, but they must be made of the right material. When choosing this option, you want to make sure that it is made of multiple layers of tightly-woven, breathable fabric to protect against the virus.
Some studies suggest that tightly-woven cotton fabric is most effective in filtering Coronavirus particles. Layering fabrics like silk, chiffon, and flannel can also be used. An additional third layer of fabric provides extra protection. The study has suggested that polypropylene material works best as a filter. Polypropylene is a type of synthetic plastic that’s easy to mold. It’s used in everyday items like bottle caps and even lunch boxes.
What’s a quick way to tell if the cloth mask is made of tightly-woven fabric? The CDC recommends holding up against bright light to see if it’s able to block it. If light can go through then you know that Coronavirus particles would have no trouble getting through either.
Aside from the material, you also want to make sure that the mask is a good fit. It should properly cover your entire mouth and nose area. You also want to make sure that there are no gaps around the mask. A well-fitting mask helps ensure you and your loved ones are safe from the Covid-19 virus.
Are there other options for a nice-looking protective mask?
I get it, if you have to wear a mask every day you would want one that looks nice and can even match your outfit. Lace mask designs are very fashionable and stylish. This pandemic has taken a toll out on all of us and wanting to look nice is perfectly understandable. It’s one way to make ourselves feel better after everything the pandemic has taken away from us. From dining out without fear to seeing our friends and family without having to stay six feet apart.
We all hope to see the end of the pandemic and the world go back to normal. But in the meantime, looking nice in your mask is something we all want. Luckily, there are ways to stay fashionable and stay safe amidst a global pandemic.
Get the Lace Look and Protection with a Printed Lace Mask
Yes, lace is a nice-looking fabric, but it’s also itchy and scratchy. Not to mention ineffective against the virus. Just imagine having to wear it around the sensitive skin around your mouth and nose all-day.
Printed lace masks are a great solution. They can give you the lace look on an effective material that doesn’t irritate your skin, because it is essentially a medical mask with lace appearance. You can be stylish and fashionable with a printed lace mask. At the same time, you will help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
printed lace mask ≠ lace mask.
- Printed lace mask actually is a medical mask with lace appearance so it provides protection.
- Lace mask is made of lace therefore it can’t prevent viruses.
What else is the lace mask used for?
It can’t protect you from coronavirus but they have other uses. You can use a lace mask to shield you from the sun when you’re outside. You can also use them to protect you from dust particles while cleaning. They’re also good at protecting you against air pollution when you’re outdoors.
A life hack to make lace mask also effective for protection
If you want to use the lace mask for protection against coronavirus, there is a solution. You can layer it on top of an anti-virus functional mask. This way, you can still stay safe.
Can I re-use and re-wash lace masks?
Yes! You can wash your masks just like you wash your clothes, using laundry detergent and bleach. You can use a washing machine or even hand wash them, just make sure you wash and rinse thoroughly. Remember to dry them before using them again as you don’t want to use a wet one.
Are there other fashionable masks that are available?
Yes, there are other fashionable masks available in the market. There are effective cloth masks that have special designs and logos. If you want something fancier, there are embellished beaded masks and sequins masks. But just like the lace mask, these fancy designs aren’t effective against coronavirus. If you’d like to use them for protection, make sure to layer them on top of a cloth mask or disposable surgical mask. These are great to match with your fancier outfits, for a special occasion, or even just for everyday use!
beaded mask sequin mask
There are so many options for fashionable and stylish masks that won’t risk your health and the health of those around you. Make sure you choose carefully, so we can get closer to beating the coronavirus pandemic!