In March 2020, when the Covid19 pandemic stormed the world and everything came to a standstill, face masks were the only hope people had against the novel coronavirus besides handwashes and sanitizers. All around the world, people became limited to their houses, and countries went under lockdown indefinitely. Education institutions, including universities and schools, were shut down, including markets, recreational places. Everyone had one question in mind, is this the end of the world? Or will they be allowed to step out of the house ever?
Thus, It was natural for people to assume that the world had come to its end because no one knew what to do and how to protect themselves and their loved ones from catching the virus. Due to this reason, all eyes were hooked on healthcare staff to guide people in dealing with the coronavirus. Suffice to say, people were undergoing mass hysteria. People were ready to go to any lengths to get their hands on anything that could save them from catching the virus.
The world health organization issued covid19 protection guidelines and strictly advised people to do three things immediately: hand washing, sanitizing, and using face masks. Shortly after the announcement, face masks and sanitizers became the most treasured commodities in the entire world. People rushed to medical stores and supermarkets, and within hours everything was sold out. People retreated to hoarding facemasks as it was uncertain when everything would become normal.
Around this time, the demand for facemasks exceeded limits because everyone needed just one thing, facemasks. The face masks business met sky heights during the pandemic because everyone wanted one thing, facemasks. Where all other businesses and economies were collapsing due to lockdown, face mask business was thriving. Face masks Business owners cashed the pandemic by all means, as they had something people wanted more than anything. They increased the prices ten times the original prices, and yet people bought them in bulk.
Face masks offer 95% guaranteed protection from the coronavirus. Initial research on the transmission mechanisms of the virus declared the virus as airborne, suggesting that it spreads in the air. Besides, it was also discovered that coronavirus spreads through droplets. For instance, if an infected person sneezes, and somehow you inhale the droplets, you will get infected as well.
So, if a virus travels in the air and infects you just by breathing that air, it is scary; hence the only solution left was to wear masks so that the air you inhale is filtered.
According to WHO, face masks are an important tool in slowing down the spread of the coronavirus. However, the full effect of face masks can only be achieved through practicing other preventive measures like getting vaccinated, hand washing and sanitizing, and physical distancing. Moreover, the Centre for disease control and prevention recommends fabric masks for the public, especially those who are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated. The CDC recommends the use of K95 facemasks as they provide better protection, unlike other face masks.
Medical masks are also called surgical masks. These are disposable masks made up of polyester fibers. These masks are only suitable for one-time use, and then they need to be disposed of. Medical masks protect wearers from contact with droplets containing the coronavirus. The polyester fibers are strongly woven together so that no germ can be inhaled. Besides, these masks are effective for keeping you from inhaling larger air pollutants. Medical masks consist of ear loops that are tied behind the ears. These loops are loose-fitting so that you can adjust the fit according to your comfort. Although the design of the medical mask is the same, they are available in different colors—for instance, green, white, blue, etc.
N95 are considered most effective against covid. These masks provide more protection as compared to other types of masks. There is a respirator inside these masks that filters out larger and small particles from the air. Since these masks were considered to offer more protection, people started hoarding them in bulk leading to a wide shortage in the market. Due to shortage, businesses started to sell these masks at five times more rate than the original. Interestingly, people bought them right away because, again, people were desperate to protect themselves regardless.
Fabric masks trap the wearer's respiratory droplets and absorb them, and these droplets are released when one talks, sneezes, or coughs. In addition, fabric masks also protect from inhaling droplets released when others talk.
COVID19 pandemic caused a shortage of facemasks globally. But simultaneously, it worked like a golden sparrow for the salesmen owning face masks business. The continuously increasing demand and less supply because manufacturing industries were not operating made the sellers sell the facemasks at the rates their hearts desired quite literally. The sales went sky high because people bought nothing but face masks. It will be fair to say; covid 19 pandemic served as a golden period for facemasks sellers to make huge fortunes.
