The U.S. on Monday hit another grim milestone with more than 5 million Americans now infected with the coronavirus. Although there is pressure to increase testing and develop a vaccine, experts suggest that if all Americans wore masks, the pandemic could be brought under control “within weeks.” In the spirit of that mission, a new study has been published in Science Advances has again shed light on which masks are most effective – and which may actually hurt the attempt to limit COVID-19.
The analysis, conducted by researchers at Duke University School of Medicine, reported on an ‘optimal measurement method’ that uses a laser beam and mobile camera to track the number of drops that emerge from an individual while wearing a mask. Of the 14 masks, the two that were least effective were bandanas and what the researchers described as a neck fleece, also known as a neck fleece.
The safest mask, an N95, allows for a drop transmission of less than 0.1 percent. But handmade cotton and polypropylene masks, some of which were made from shaving material, also proved effective, with droplet transmission ranging from 0.1 percent to 0.4 percent. One mask, which was cut, released a higher number of drops, from 0.1 percent to 0.6 percent. But none of the masks compared to the neck fleece, which had 110 percent droplet transmission (10 percent higher than not wearing a mask).
The researchers explain how these masks can actually spread more of the virus than not wearing one at all. “We notice that talking through some masks (especially the neck fleece) seems to disperse the largest droplets into a lot of smaller droplets … which explains the apparent increase in droplet count relative to no mask in that case,” they write. These small drops could be extremely dangerous in terms of transmission. “Considering that smaller particles carry air longer than large droplets (larger droplets sag faster), the use of such a mask can be counterproductive,” they add.
Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scientist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, says the study is important for Americans to consider. “People really do not understand that not all face coverings are the same, and that there are some that will be more or less effective,” says Adalja. “And I think when you make those decisions, it’s important to have data behind them.”
Considering the rate of drop transmission of neck fleeces and bandannas, he suggests that Americans move away from both covers. “I think they should be abandoned, especially since it has been shown that pedestrians are increasing transmission,” Adalja said. “Not every mask will be equal. … I think a lot of people just wear these face masks to check a box and not realize that they have to be effective to serve a purpose. ”
For those who are still confused about why masks are necessary, he notes that asymptomatic spread is one of the most important factors to keep in mind. “There are a lot of people who do not know they are infected, and the face masks are one way to give people the guarantee that there is some source control,” says Adalja. “If everyone knew their status, that would be a different story, but the fact of the matter is that most people do not know if they are infected or not.”
Better testing, Adalja adds, could potentially reduce the need for masks. But until then, they are vital to stopping the pandemic. “If we have rapid tests that we can know at the moment we step outside, whether we are infected or not, that’s one thing, but we’re not around,” Adalja says. “So now this is the measure we are sitting with.”
For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow together to https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised remain the most at risk. If you have any questions, please refer to the GGD‘s and WHO’s resource guides.
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