The post-Covid-19 future is bright. We just need to wear masks to get to it.
As parts of Europe and the United States emerge from coronavirus lockdown to face the new normal, a concern for safety remains in place. How to protect vulnerable communities as the world waits impatiently for the Covid-19 vaccine. One of the most common solutions is a requirement to wear masks while in public.
More and more federal and local governments are making the once antisocial practice mandatory. It is causing intercultural controversy in some places, as France maintains its ban on full-face coverings like burqas. Disputes over access to shops with or without masks can turn deadly. Masks teach us valuable history lessons about the pandemics of the past. Masks are being joked about on late night comedy shows. Masks even star in new categories of pornography. Masks rule 2020!
In March, I wrote about the global political implications of wearing masks. In April, I profiled fashion designers who were among the first to creatively respond to the changing reality. Both articles went viral. Our interest in the subject is growing since most of us not have to abide by the laws and consider masks as an integral part of everyday life. Keys, wallet, mask!
While the World Health Organization has issued the statement that “medical masks should be reserved for health care workers”, non-medical grade face coverings have been found extremely useful. Seven most common types of masks recently tested by the University of Glasgow researchers helped reduce transmission of the virus. We can now exercise caution and responsibility while staying true to our sense of fashion or experimenting with different styles. Here are eleven designer choices that turn Personal Protective Equipment aka PPE into the coolest summer accessory. Welcome to the next phase.
St. John
American luxury brand repurposed its workshops to manufacture washable, non-surgical, white face masks to fight the shortage of PPE for various essential workers. It has been producing up to 85,000 masks per week out of antimicrobial water-repellent fabric. Now limited-edition knit pique care masks are available to the public.
