Behind the Mask

“Doc, are cloth face masks good?” I was asked. 

The wheels in my head started to turn slowly. 

Alright, I’m not going to bore you with the difference between N95, medical grade surgical masks, non medical face masks and reusable masks made of different materials, and their efficacies. (I’m going to bore you with something else ;)

My opinions reflect my job as a healthcare professional, but also on my being the writer of The Lighter Path, which pursues sustainability in all parts of life. 

About 10 years ago, when I was caring for H1N1 (The 2009 Swine flu, if you’ve forgotten) patients in Sarawak, I used the N95 mask. Again, some years later in Penang during the MersCov scare, I strapped on the N95. 

The ’95’ in N95 means that the mask prevents 95% of airborne particles from getting through the mask. Materials aside, the N95 mask fits very snugly, ‘sticking’ to my face and providing a good seal. So in my opinion, everyone should (ideally) be using the N95 mask…and change it every 2 hours or so (not use the same N95 mask the whole day). 

But… honestly, that is hardly sustainable. The government can hardly provide this for all healthcare providers, leave aside all Malaysians. Some months ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic was still in its early days, healthcare providers even needed to buy simple face masks at about RM2 per piece to protect themselves at work. 

It was about then that the reality about scarce resources hit me, and I repurposed my training in sewing human skin and started to sew some 3-layered cloth masks for my husband and myself - not to use in the hospital, of course, but in relatively lower risk surroundings. 

Today, thankfully disposable face masks are much cheaper. Non medical-grade disposable masks go for about RM5 for 50 pieces. 

The problem : Some people still don’t think they’re a worthwhile investment. 

How do I know? Well, I happen to know a few people who reuse their (disposable) face masks for days. 

The reason: “Doc, I only wear the mask for a few minutes.. just to run into the shop and buy bread/food/toilet paper/ etc.” 

Some people even wash disposable masks and dry them to reuse. Now, I understand if this is due to financial restrictions, but the same person is more than happy to spend more than RM20 for a meal outside… I mean, food is important, but so is using your mask properly to protect your health. 

So, what about fabric masks? 

I personally use fabric face masks in non-clinical settings. In my opinion any mask is better than NO mask. 

And if you really feel strongly about throwing away disposable masks after a single use (for cost, environmental, face sensitivity reasons or whatever), why not consider a fabric mask yourself? 

Of course, don’t just have ONE fabric mask. Buy or make a few of your own.

The COVID pandemic and the MCO is a challenging time for all. Health-wise, and also finance-wise. I’m very encouraged to see how some people (who lost their source of income in the pandemic) have rallied together to find creative ways to earn an honest living. 

So, if you don’t feel like making your own masks (and I know it’s not easy to sew your own masks all the time. I pricked myself multiple times sewing masks for my husband- and myself- during the first MCO), let me suggest you check-out KTJ (Kumpulan Tukang Jahit) Malaysia: a community of single, and stay-at-home mums who hand sew exquisite face masks like the one I’m wearing in the photo. 

I learned about this dynamic group while getting my weekly avocado supply from Nur Inggit, entrepreneur, founder of AvoAdore, a wonderful friend, and another example of how COVID has changed the working lives of many.

If you can’t afford to buy reusable masks, it’s not that hard to learn. I learned to make masks on YouTube. You can too.

Believe me, the finger pricks are worth it.