Apple's design teams create special face masks for staff

Source: Mark Gurman/Twitter

Apple does as Apple does, so it isn't surprising the tech giant developed its own face masks for its corporate and retail employees to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Apple will begin sending the Apple Face Mask to employees over the next couple of weeks. Apple's Engineering and Industrial Design teams developed the customized face mask. These teams are the same groups who work on gadgets like the iPhone and iPad. 

It has three layers to filter incoming and outgoing particles, and it can be washed and reused for up to five times. It has large coverings on the top and bottom to cover the nose and chin and adjustable strings to fit it to the ears. 

Apple said it conducted careful research and testing to find the best materials to filter the air properly without disrupting the supply of medical personal protective equipment. 

Apple will also be sending over the ClearMask, an outsourced surgical mask that is completely transparent. ClearMask is the first FDA-cleared transparent surgical mask that can help the deaf or hard of hearing understand its wearer. 

The company collaborated with Washington-based Gallaudet University—specializing in educating the deaf and hard-of-hearing—in picking which clear mask to use. It also tested out the mask with employees in three Apple stores. But it's also exploring making its own transparent masks.

Before developing the Apple Face Mask, Apple provided its employees with standard cloth masks, while customers also have access to basic surgical masks when visiting its stores.

Source: Bloomberg