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

How to make your own face masks at home

Unveiling the effectiveness of natural cosmetics: Expert insights by Dr. Lehavit Ackerman, plus a recipe for a purely natural peeling mask.

JULY 17, 2023ByWALLA!

Japanese get trained in 'Hollywood' smiles as masks slowly come off

"Culturally, a smile signifies that I'm not holding a gun and I'm not a threat to you," said smile instructor Keiko Kawano.

JUNE 5, 2023ByREUTERS

Smile coach Keiko Kawano teaches students at a smile training course at Sokei Art School in Tokyo, Japan, May 30, 2023.

Is COVID over? A requiem for the coronavirus pandemic

For many people, the arbitrary nature of the pandemic, with tough rules one day about things like masks, and then rules discarded the next, has left an imprint.

MAY 12, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

IN NOVEMBER 2021, Israel moved to vaccinate children over age five (Illustrative).

People who think they're attractive less likely to wear masks – study

Self-perception of attractiveness can impact one's social behavior. This study examined whether this could extend to wearing face masks.

MARCH 1, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Woman taking photo while looking in mirror (illustrative)

A surprising effect: People wearing masks may have trouble identifying other faces

It's obviously harder to identify someone with a mask - but apparently, it is also harder to identify someone else while wearing a mask yourself!

JANUARY 18, 2023ByELIAV BATITO/MAARIV ONLINE

A person wearing a face mask is seen amongst revelers in Times Square during the first New Year's Eve event without restrictions since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, US, December 31, 2022.

Is the COVID-19 pandemic finally over? - opinion

I wish COVID never came into our lives. Moreover, I wish masking could be a personal choice, free of stigma.

DECEMBER 16, 2022ByBRIAN BLUM

Face masks fly off, but is the COVID-19 pandemic really over? (Illustrative)

Israeli researchers develop invisible face mask

Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology have developed a revolutionary invisible face mask to protect wearers against the transmission of COVID, MERS, influenza and other viruses.

NOVEMBER 27, 2022ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

Air-Screen: Fluidic facemask that can protect against viruses like COVID.

Israel supplied with faulty COVID-19 masks, legal document shows

According to the counterclaim, MGM and TAR committed to providing anti-coronavirus masks meeting specific parameters specified in a public tender bidding process which they won.

NOVEMBER 6, 2022ByYONAH JEREMY BOB

: A woman receives protective face masks while she waits in line at a food bank at St. Bartholomew Church, during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Elmhurst section of Queens, New York City, New York, US, May 15, 2020.

New Chinese research suggests using masks leads people to behave ethically

The research conducted across 10 studies focused on deviant behavior demonstrates that masks cause people to be less likely to behave poorly than those who weren't wearing them.

OCTOBER 5, 2022ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

Residents wearing face masks queue for nucleic acid testings in Wuhan, the Chinese city hit hardest by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Hubei province, China May 16, 2020

COVID-19 masks: Still difficult to recognize faces - Israeli study

COVID-19 face masks make it difficult to recognize faces, even after prolonged exposure, according to Israeli/Canadian study.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

COVID-19 face mask