Neck gaiters were not the only tests for face covering: in all 14 were analyzed, from N95s (surprisingly shown to be most effective at containing COVID-19 spread) to bandanas (not much more effective than neck gaiters, according to the study ).
People who have tried to exercise outdoors by wearing a mask other than a neck gaiter have come to the surprising conclusion that they find it more difficult to breathe. The neck gear, made of very thin, stretchable material, addresses that problem, allowing exercisers to get as much air as they need. Unfortunately, researchers at Duke University also found that neck gaiters do not provide protection against coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) and that wearing them can be worse than not wearing face masks at all when it comes to stopping the spread of the virus. . The findings were published in a study in Science Advances.
Neck gaiters were not the only tests for face covering: in all 14 were analyzed, from N95s (surprisingly shown to be most effective at containing COVID-19 spread) to bandanas (not much more effective than neck gaiters, according to the study ).
As a university news release explains, the startling discovery about neck gaiters came about as a result of a Duke professor wanting to figure out what the most effective face coverings are. That professor needed the information in his attempt to provide masks and other face masks to an underprivileged population in Durham, NC
Introduce Martin Fischer, a chemist and physicist at the university. He constructed a simple test device using a laser (you can find them online for about $ 200), a mobile phone camera, a cardboard box and a lens. Fisher could emit particles by individuals.
The researchers noted that ‘In short, an operator wears a face mask and speaks in the direction of an extended laser beam in a dark box. Drops propagating through the laser beam scattered light, which is recorded with a camera of a telephone. A simple computer algorithm is used to count the drops in the video. ”
After testing the 14 masks that are considered generally available, they found some fascinating tests. First and – again – not surprisingly, N95 respirators and surgical masks provide the most protection / containment of drops.
Cotton masks perform quite well, which is reassuring because they are often used in the community. Two important findings were also reported: ‘We notice that speaking through some masks (especially the neck fleece) seems to disperse the largest droplets into many smaller droplets … which is the apparent increase in droplet count relative to no mask in that case explains. Considering that smaller particles are worn longer than large drops (larger drops sag faster), the use of such a mask can be counterproductive. Furthermore, the performance of the valved N95 mask is likely to be affected by the exhalation valve, which opens for strong airflow to the outside. “The emphasis on valved N95s is a good reminder of the role of exhaust valves and how they not only provide poor source control but also cannot be used in sterile environments.
The findings of this study are not only informative in terms of the potential amplification done by neck fleece masks, but reiterates the importance of infection preventionists making informed decisions for the community in terms of masks. Ideally, surgical masks would be useful as they provide protection not only for the people around the wearer but also for the person wearing them.
As hospitals consider more sustainable approaches to ensuring masking of compliance among visitors, but also want to support staff outside the walls of the healthcare facility, dust masks could form a viable option. Moreover, giving the public better guidance on masks that offer more protection while not having health supply chains is beneficial to all. More insight into the effectiveness of widely available masks is hugely important.
