Face mask

Face masks are protective medical wear that help the wearer avoid infection from diseases or harmful materials. They prevent accidental ingestion or inhaling of fluids containing diseases by blocking vulnerable orifices or use materials that are antiviral or antibacterial.

Face masks were largely reserved for use by medical personal in the West, but were commonly utilized by the general population in East Asia to prevent the spread of disease.

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, masking in public spaces became mandated by many governments or was issued as an advisory by health authorities.

The effectiveness of face masks depends on the material, type of mask, and proper use of the mask. New masks have been developed to reduced the spread of COVID-19, while some authorities have advised double masking in order to increase face mask effectiveness. Some have met the idea of mask mandates with ferociousness, arguing that being forced to wear the masks is a violation of rights.

As flu cases rise in Israel, Health Ministry calls on at-risk groups to wear masks

While vaccination rates are climbing, with about 15.7 percent of the population inoculated, the ministry says coverage remains insufficient.

DECEMBER 17, 2025|ByTPS

A sick family

Burka illustrative

Portugal's parliament approves far-right party's bill to ban burkas

Under the bill, proposed fines for wearing face veils in public would range between 200 euros and 4,000 euros ($234-$4,671).

OCTOBER 17, 2025|ByREUTERS

Israeli security forces seen during an operation in the Tulkarm refugee camp, in the West Bank, July 6, 2025

IDF West Bank Chief outlaws wearing facemasks, punishable with half year in prison

This unusual move is a new initiative to make it harder for both Hamas terrorists and Jewish extremists, who perpetrate violence and nationalistic offenses, to avoid arrest.

JULY 20, 2025|ByYONAH JEREMY BOB

A demonstrator wears a protective mask as protestors gather at the gates of Columbia University, in support of student protesters who barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall, despite orders from university officials to disband or face suspension during the Israel-Hamas war, in NYC, April 30, 2024.

Columbia bans face masks in protests and acquiesces to other Trump administration demands

“This is a huge win for Jewish safety at Columbia,” tweeted Eliana Goldin, who is enrolled in Columbia’s joint program with the Jewish Theological Seminary.

MARCH 21, 2025|ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA

Coronavirus: Indoor mask requirement may be dropped by end of June

Businesses and venues around the country will resume operating as they did before the pandemic.

MAY 25, 2021ByROSSELLA TERCATIN

A face mask is seen on the street in Jerusalem amid the coronavirus pandemic, on February 2, 2021.

'It’s so nice to see your face again': Re-adjusting after taking off masks

Being back in our community, I was practically in tears.

MAY 19, 2021ByBRIAN BLUM

MASKLESS AND smiling in Tel Aviv, late April.

COVID-19: Political alignments of face masks, social distancing - opinion

COVID-19 didn’t make us anxious. We did, and we masked our troubles with polarizing politics

MAY 12, 2021ByURIEL ABULOF

THE PRO-CHOICE and pro-life camps have traded places, with liberals championing the sanctity of life, turning masking into an article of faith, a liberal veil.

Fabric masks about as effective in preventing COVID transmission -study

Under the ideal conditions of the study, multiple use fabric masks have shown to be about as effective as surgical face masks in reducing the chance of infection.

APRIL 29, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

A face mask is seen on the street in Jerusalem amid the coronavirus pandemic, on February 2, 2021.

COVID-19: Does wearing masks affect pregnant women? Study says it might

"Wearing a mask may create a hard-to-ventilate space leading to blood carbon dioxide accumulation and decreased oxygen levels."

APRIL 28, 2021ByROSSELLA TERCATIN

Visibly pregnant 34-year-old Narkis receives her coronavirus vaccine in Tel Aviv, January 21, 2021.

Israel needs to stop fearing every new coronavirus variant - editorial

Now is a time to tone down the fretting, at least when it comes to the coronavirus.

APRIL 21, 2021ByJPOST EDITORIAL

Israelis in Jerusalem are seen without face masks after coronavirus restrictions were eased.

Coronavirus: Lifting of outdoor mask mandate ‘liberating,’ Israelis say

Cases of the coronavirus continue to plummet as some scientists claim country may have reached herd immunity.

APRIL 20, 2021ByMAYA MARGIT/THE MEDIA LINE

A face mask is seen on the street in Jerusalem amid the coronavirus pandemic, on February 2, 2021.

Coronavirus: Oregon mulls permanent face mask, social distancing rules

Oregon is considered to have some of the strictest COVID-19 regulations in the US.

APRIL 18, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

COVID-19 face mask

COVID-19: Mask wearing outside to no longer be required as of Sunday

Most experts agree that the risk of contracting the coronavirus outdoor is very limited.

APRIL 15, 2021ByROSSELLA TERCATIN

Israelis are seen shopping in Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market before the country goes into full lockdown, on January 7, 2021.

30-year-old stabbed in chest after asking passenger to wear mask on bus

The suspect, a resident of Tiberias, is known to the police, but does not have a criminal record.

APRIL 8, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

A bus driver sits in a bus and wears a face mask for fear of the coronavirus in downtown Jerusalem, March 16, 2020.