Real-Time Face Mask Detector Using Deep Learning

Coronavirus Disease 2019, also known as Covid-19, is an infectious respiratory disease that was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Covid-19 then caused a global pandemic in 2020, which is still ongoing (as of Feb 2022). The Covid-19 virus is known to be transmitted through small droplets exhaled by an infected person. Wearing a face mask is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Face masks can prevent direct contact of the nose and mouth with the external environment, preventing inhalation of small droplets and thus lowering the risk of infection. Because face masks are so important in everyday life, there has been a lot of research done on them. However, most research has focused on detecting the presence of a face mask, rather than how the face mask is worn or the type of face mask. The primary goal of this project would be to create a face mask detector using deep learning with additional features and to investigate the possibilities of additional features and system enhancements.