Face masks revisited: A narrative review of historical and scientific perspective in infection prevention

Face mask use has been an essential practice to restrict bacterial and viral transmission of infections. The critical role of masks in the prevention of infection during the recent pandemic of coronavirus disease of 2019 has been highlighted. The new normal, universal masking, was adopted for the safety and infection prevention of healthcare providers, patients, and visitors. However, the use of masks has posed several unique challenges for clinicians, patients, and public. In this review, the historical and scientific aspect including the pros and cons of the use of face masks is presented. This narrative review is compiled based on comprehensive searches of databases and published literature following the meta-analysis guidelines.