Question: What exactly are non-medical masks and do they have a use

Answer passage (source: WHO):
page_title: Q&A: Masks and COVID-19
section_headers: Does WHO recommend the use of non-medical masks in the community?
section_content: Currently there is not enough evidence for or against the use of masks
(medical or other) for healthy individuals in the wider community. WHO
continues to recommend that medical masks be worn by individuals who are sick
or those caring for them. WHO is actively studying the rapidly evolving
science on masks and continuously updates its guidance.
In the interim, to support countries in their decision-making process WHO has
provided advice through a risk-based approach for the use of masks in the
context of COVID-19.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Doesn't define non-medical masks for address whether they're useful.
the answer does address masks, which is what the question is about. however, the question wants to know what non-medical masks are, and that really isn't addressed in the answer. non-medical masks are mentioned in passing, but not really discussed.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Could be Improved

Answer passage (source: WHO):
page_title: Q&A: Infection prevention and control for health care workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
section_headers: Does WHO recommend routine wearing masks for healthy people during the 2019 nCoV outbreak?
section_content: No. WHO does not recommend that asymptomatic individuals (i.e., who do not
have respiratory symptoms) in the community should wear medical masks, as
currently there is no evidence that routine use of medical masks by healthy
individuals prevents 2019-nCoV transmission. Masks are recommended to be used
by symptomatic persons in the community. Misuse and overuse of medical masks
may cause serious issues of shortage of stocks and lack of mask availability
for those who actually need to wear them.
In health care facilities where health care workers are directly taking care
of suspect or confirmed 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease patients, masks
are an important part of containing 2019-nCoV spread between people, along
with other PPE and hand hygiene.
Click here for more information on medical mask use.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has dangerous outdated information about not wearing masks, and also doesn't define non-medical masks.
the question asks about non-medical masks, and the answer only talks about medical masks. there is a lot of detail about medical masks, but they are not even mentioned in the question.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Bad

Answer passage (source: WHO):
page_title: Q&A: Masks and COVID-19
section_headers: What are non-medical masks and what is their use?
section_content: Non-medical masks are often homemade of breathable fabrics and can be
commercially available as well. There are numerous designs for fabric masks,
but they generally cover the nose and mouth, are secured with ties or elastic
loops, include multiple layers of fabric, and can sometimes be washed and re-
used.
The evidence about the benefits of these masks is limited. One good quality
study showed that the risk of respiratory infection is increased (and not
reduced) in health care workers using cotton cloth masks when compared to
medical masks. Cloth masks are currently being recommended by some countries
as a means of source control in the general population. Although their
protective effectiveness to the wearer is unknown, they may protect others if
the wearer is a pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carrier.
WHO is continuing to gather and review data as new studies become available
and will update guidance accordingly.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Clearly explains what a non-medical mask is and covers the evidence about their efficacy.
the answer goes into a great deal of deal about both the definition of a non-medical mask, as well as their usefulness. it covers both aspects of the question in good detail.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent