A lot has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged worldwide particularly on how health experts are encouraging the public to protect themselves. Last year, filtering respirators such as the N95 and KN95 varieties were in short supply prompting health authorities to reserve them for medical use only. However, health authorities are now recommending the wearing of N95 and KN95 respirators for the general public instead of opting for low-grade face masks this year.
Since face masks and respirators are here to stay in our continuing fight against COVID-19, many brands are integrating fashion with function in their products, leaving many to wonder if these essentials can be turned into fashion statements.