Some countries have been devastated by Coronavirus, while others have gotten off lightly.

Why?

According to a recent study : 

"In countries with cultural norms or government policies supporting public mask-wearing, per-capita coronavirus mortality increased on average by just 8.0% each week, as compared with 54% each week in remaining countries. On multivariable analysis, lockdowns tended to be associated with less mortality (p=0.43), and increased per-capita testing with higher reported mortality (p=0.70), though neither association was statistically significant. 

Conclusions. Societal norms and government policies supporting the wearing of masks by the public, as well as international travel controls, are independently associated with lower per-capita mortality from COVID-19." (Association of country-wide coronavirus mortality with demographics, testing, lockdowns, and public wearing of masks)

The study included modelling, which demonstrates that if we combine lockdowns with 100% mask use, the spread of the disease will be vastly diminished for a period of 18 months - the estimated time it will take to develop a vaccine.

Looking for a reusable mask?  Check out our Organic Cotton masks.  We continue to donate one mask for every order placed.

What about the Second Wave?

A recent headline from the SanFrancisco Gate asserted that

"100% face mask use could crush second, third COVID-19 wave". 

The source of their claim is support by a comment from the author's of another study out of Cambridge University who said;

“We show that, when face masks are used by the public all the time (not just from when symptoms first appear), the effective reproduction number, Re, can be decreased below 1, leading to the mitigation of epidemic spread,”  (The Royal Society Publishing)

The Problem With Increased Mask Usage

All of this news sounds great, right?  It looks like we have a - relatively - simple solution that could save millions of lives and help restore the economy.  However, this solution has led to an unexpected consequence, which all us etee's are 'oh too' familiar with.  Plastic waste.

According to a recent article from the Economist: Covid-19 has led to a pandemic of plastic pollution.

From increased to take out orders to disposable masks, our environment is - once more - is feeling the impacts of our disposable economy.

What's the Alternative?

Here's the thing.  We don't have to use synthetic masks to stop the virus.  Reusable and washable, cotton facemasks work.  According to the same Cambridge University study:

“Research shows that even homemade masks made from cotton T-shirts or dishcloths can prove 90 per cent effective at preventing transmission..."

Don't Have Time to Make a Mask?

We're still offering adjustable face masks, and we continue to donate one mask to a community in need for each order placed.