Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 132; Flight Crew Total 3860; Flight Crew Type 2373
Communication Breakdown; Troubleshooting
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
We were cruising at FL320 around late afternoon when transmission with ZZZ Center became difficult as we were handed off to the next frequency. ZZZ Center's transmissions were muffled and unreadable at times. Multiple aircraft; including my own; had to ask Center to repeat instruction due to the muffled voice and weak transmission. My belief is that the Center Controller was wearing a mask and that mask was causing the majority of communication difficulty.If true; the use of masks by Center controllers is creating a serious communication and safety issue between pilots and Air Traffic Control. Everything about the national air space system is designed so pilot to ATC communication is to be understood without interference or confusion. The use of masks by ZZZ ATC has the potential to create confusion and ultimately a sacrifice of safety.
Air Carrier Captain reported difficulty understanding Center controllers and believes the problem maybe the controllers are wearing face masks.