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.

Parents notified of exposure risk after Ichilov neonatal ward guard tests positive for measles

The Health Ministry has been working with the hospital to identify and contact any affected families to provide preventive care and check their immunization status.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026|ByDR. ITAY GAL

Ichilov hospital and Sourasky Medical Centre in Tel Aviv.

A sick family

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

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

Israeli mask 99.95% protective against Delta variant, European lab says

Sonovia fabric to be evaluated against Mu strain next

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN

Sonovia's SonoMask is 99.95% effective in protecting agains the Delta coronavirus strain

COVID-19 is evolving to become more airborne, says recent study

A new University of Maryland study suggests that successive strains to the novel coronavirus are becoming more transmittable through the air.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

3D medical animation still shot showing the structure of a coronavirus

Do COVID lockdowns affect our memory?

Our brains wear masks, too. How soon will we be able to restore our memory function to its former state? And how might this affect us in the future?

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021ByWALLA!

An illustrative photograph: Bride Osnat Baron and groom Yaniv Jenger kissing through their masks during their wedding party with a limited number of guests in the garden of a private house in Jerusalem on April 27, 2020

Mexican researchers say they created facemask that neutralizes COVID-19

The facemask is reusable and can be washed up to 10 times without losing its biocide properties.

AUGUST 27, 2021ByREUTERS

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

IDF's Homefront Command begins antibody survey in kids aged 3-12 years old

Third booster, masks and social distancing are causing infection rate to drop • Israel reported 5,312 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, a significant continued decline from the previous two days

AUGUST 22, 2021ByANNA AHRONHEIM

Head of the IDF's Homefront Command Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin and Mayor of Rishon Letzion Raz Kinstlich

Israeli bus drivers are getting attacked for requesting masks

Three incidents of bus drivers being attacked have been reported since Thursday.

AUGUST 16, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

A bus driver is taken care of by MDA after being attacked by three youths on Sunday

Grapevine: New leadership

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

AUGUST 12, 2021ByGREER FAY CASHMAN

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE Isaac Herzog, a man with much political experience.

Man restrained, arrested in Tiberias mall for not wearing mask

A video of the incident shows the man being forced onto the ground while police officers restrain him.

AUGUST 9, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Israeli police officers guard at the entrance to a neighborhood in the northern Israeli city of Tiberias, June 24, 2020, during a closure on some neighborhood in the city following the spread of the Coronavirus.

Israel unmasks: Face-coverings no longer required in enclosed spaces

People in coronavirus isolation who are on their way to their quarantine location are still obligated to wear masks, as well as passengers on flights.

JUNE 15, 2021ByZACHARY KEYSER

Supermarket shoppers and workers without masks in Tel Aviv. (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

Israeli antiviral mask firm signs with Delta, to enter fashion industry

Odorless yoga pants on the way, the company says

JUNE 6, 2021ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN

Sonovia's 'fashion-friendly' fabric