Masking of America

Left: Non surgical cotton face-mask available sign posted in shop window. Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Calif. April 17, 2020. Right: A 3M brand A95 mask with filtration that blocks 95% of particles of 0.3 microns or larger. Los Angeles, Calif. May 30, 2020. (Drew Anderson / The Corsair)

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Masks are defining life in America. People wear a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has already killed over 100,000 Americans before the start of this month. Today, any cautious American does not leave home without wearing a face mask.

Masks are redefining life in America in political terms. At recent Black Lives Matters rallies, demonstrators wear masks that say, “I Can’t Breathe” in solidarity with George Floyd and other victims of police brutality. In stark contrast, masks hide the identities of criminals that loot stores in the wake of civil unrest throughout America. A face mask, wearing one or not wearing one, shows political affiliations across the land. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll shown on PBS listed these results: “89 percent of Democrats and 72 percent of Independents surveyed say they wear a mask in public all or most of the time. 58 percent of Republicans say the same."

The American public had no need for masks when the year started. However, by February, an early warning was issued by Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, the acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He said, “COVID-19 has literally only existed on planet Earth in humans for maybe two months. There are no vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent or treat human coronavirus infections."

Public Safety Policy in Los Angeles now requires that people wear a mask along with observing social distancing and washing hands frequently to avoid viral infection. Stores and offices that may be open during the ongoing quarantine restrictions require that people wear a mask before gaining entry.

There are all styles, shapes, and colors of masks worn by people in public. Not every face mask is created equal. A shortage in medical style face masks created a cottage industry in cloth face masks. Cloth face masks may appear fashionable; however, they are less effective in filtering out COVID-19. Holding the fabric up against the light may reveal the tightness of the weave to act as an effective filter. The tradeoff is between the fabric’s filtration and the ability to breathe without discomfort.

Communities across California have an urgent need for masks. There is high demand for quality masks in response to the spreading pandemic. Governor Gavin Newsom announced in April that he was awarding a contract to purchase 200 million masks a month though the month of June 2020. That’s 600 million total masks. The Governors' Office of Emergency Services confirmed that the mask purchase is costing California taxpayers $990 million. Most are N95 masks, highly sought by emergency responders and healthcare workers. The major manufacturing source is China, the global center for personal protection equipment (PPE). Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said that the city purchased 24 Million N95 masks at the cost of 79 cents each according to his April press release.

Another business niche created by the mask scarcity is a company that repurposes PPE through community donations. Under the banner Supplies Save Lives, they send out a late model Mercedes Sprint to the door of donors to pick up PPE. The mask, glove, and wipes they collect are then taken to neighborhood hospitals.

The masking of America may have a long shelf life as a consumer product until COVID-19 is under control. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people cover their faces with a mask, a scarf, or homemade fabric mask when out in public. As a recent Facebook post said, "Remember masks are like pants. If you are not wearing any, then you are exposing others to something they would rather not see.”

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