With infections rapidly approaching five million, deaths topping 320,000 and the global economy devastated, their is a dire need for protection to contain the spread of the virus.
Let's take a look at a Chinese designer's innovative initiative to ensure protection while looking stylish:
Zhou, whose Dejin fashion brand recently exhibited at China Fashion Week, has been making embroidered silk masks equipped with high specification N95 air filters since February, providing the fashion-conscious with protective options.
The 55-year-old, who is director of design at Shandong Sunbird Garment company, enjoys adding traditional Chinese motifs to her work.
(Photograph:Reuters)