Why did they wear face masks in Asia long before the COVID-19 pandemic started?

Wearing the mask became a mandatory activity right after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Covering the mouth and nose was to protect society from the emission of the virus and reduce the incidence of disease and the staggering number of deaths. It turns out, however, that face-covering in Asian countries began long before the coronavirus outbreak. Why did Asian people wear face masks long before the COVID-19 pandemic started? You will find the answer below.

1. In Asian countries, the practice of covering the mouth and nose was present long before the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus appeared.
2. The inhabitants of Asia wear masks not only for medical reasons, but also to protect themselves, for example, against air pollution
3. There are also cultural reasons that make Asians wear face masks every day
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

The increase in the number of vaccinated citizens has resulted in the lifting of restrictions on nose and mouth covering in public places and large groups of people in many countries. In Poland, the obligation to wear masks was abolished on Monday, March 28, 2022, but this does not mean that the practice that applied to us for two years is not a desirable attitude. The situation applies not only to the pandemic, but also to other circumstances of everyday life – also non-medical aspects. This is evidenced by the realities prevailing in Asia since the beginning of the XNUMXth century. What is the reason why masks were worn in Asia long before the coronavirus?

Further part below the video.

Wearing masks in Asia is an indispensable part of culture

In Asia, wearing a mask was not new after the outbreak of the pandemic. Asians already put them on much earlier, which was also caused by the health risks. In the years 1910-1911, there was an outbreak of the plague in Manchuria, which was then perceived as the most deadly virus. In order to control the situation and fight the epidemic, the obligatory wearing of surgical masks, invented by Dr. Wu Lien-teh. Its original form inspired the creation of the current form of the surgical and antiviral mask (N95).

1. FFP2 filtering masks are available at medonetmarket.pl

Wearing the mask is characteristic in particular for countries such as Korea, Taiwan and Japan. This practice is not due to fear for one’s own health, but a sense of belonging to society. For this reason, Asians cover their nose and mouth to protect other citizens when they struggle with colds, flu or single symptoms of weakness, such as a runny nose or cough.

The reason for wearing masks is additionally reinforced by the approach to work and performance of professional duties. In Asia, you go to work despite your illness, so you must have a mask that covers both the mouth and nose.

One of the reasons for wearing masks is also high air pollution. The high concentration of harmful dust in many regions of Asia makes people protect the respiratory tract by wearing masks every day.

1. See also: Where should we still wear masks? Expert: answer three questions

Wearing masks in Asia – there are also non-medical reasons

Covering the mouth and nose in Asia has become the everyday life of people who used them not only for medical purposes. Asians wore masks as early as the mid-twentieth century to protect themselves from air pollution, the result of a constantly developing industry. This, however, was not the only reason. Masks have become both a cultural and an environmental element. Among other medical reasons why masking has become a popular, albeit unforced practice, the following are:

1. protection against exhaust fumes when riding a motorcycle (Philippines);
2. face warming and skin protection in low temperatures, especially in winter (Taiwan);
3. for women: covering the face without previously applied makeup (Japan);
4. shielding the face from sunlight – most often also supported by the addition of a hat and sunglasses is a common practice among the older part of Asian society (Taiwan)

Masks ubiquitous by the coronavirus

We associate wearing masks primarily with protection against viruses. This association was additionally strengthened by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it became obligatory to cover the nose and mouth when in public places: shops, public transport, workplace, study or even while waiting for a meal in a restaurant. This situation also existed in Asia, i.e. in the place where the pandemic broke out (2019, Wuhan, Central China). This time the mask became an obligatory element that was no longer put on voluntarily.

Nowadays, when more and more people are vaccinated against COVID-19, different guidelines already apply. Following the recommendations of the authorities of Singapore and Taiwan, it is recommended to wear masks, especially when you are sick or are cared for by an infected person, but healthy individuals are not obliged to cover their faces. According to Chen Shih-chung, Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Human Services, healthy people should not wear face masks unless they find themselves in circumstances where there is a high risk of exposure to pathogens, such as in a hospital, clinic, or when someone starts sneezing be coughing.

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