Google Doodle Honours Malaysian Doctor Who Created N95 Mask Precursor

Main image via Google + The Dr Wu Lien-Teh Society, Penang
 
Wearing a face mask is the new norm now and while there are so many colours, patterns and types, we have one Malaysian to thank for creating the precursor to the N95 mask.
 
The late Dr Wu Lien-Teh.

via GIPHY

Dr Wu was an epidemiologist who is known for creating a surgical face covering that is widely considered the precursor to the N95 mask.
 
To celebrate what would have been the doctor’s 142 birthday, Google Doodle is paying tribute to the late doctor by featuring him on their doodle of the day.
 
In its tribute, Google shared that Dr Wu was the vice director for China’s Imperial Army Medical College in 1908, following his doctoral studies and said:
 
“When an unknown epidemic afflicted north-western China in 1920, the Chinese government appointed Dr Wu to investigate the disease, which he identified as the highly contagious pneumonic plague that spread from human to human through respiratory transmission.
 
To combat the disease, Dr Wu designed and produced a special surgical mask with cotton and gauze, adding several layers of cloth to filter inhalations.”

The late doctor then advised people to wear the newly-invented mask and he worked with government officials to establish quarantine stations and hospitals, restrict travel and apply progressive sterilization techniques.
 
Dr Wu’s efforts greatly contributed to the end of the pandemic aka the Manchurian plague by April 1911, just four months after he was first tasked with controlling its spread.

Google also shared that the late doctor hailed from Penang and was the first student of Chinese descent to earn his MD from Cambridge University.
 
“In 1915, Dr Wu founded the Chinese Medical Association, the country’s largest and oldest non-governmental medical organization,” it said. “In 1935, he was the first Malaysian – and the first person of Chinese descent – nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work to control the pneumonic plague.”
 
“A devoted advocate and practitioner of medical advancement, Dr Wu’s efforts not only changed public health in China but that of the entire world,” it added. “Happy birthday to the man behind the mask, Dr. Wu Lien-teh!”

Dr Wu’s contributions have definitely saved millions of lives!
 
Thank you Dr Wu and Happy 142^nd Birthday!