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What constitutes a mask in the time of Covid-19?
This question was raised after a recent incident in which a bus driver refused to allow a man wearing a gaiter to get on board because the driver felt it was not a mask.
Under Singapore regulations, a mask refers to “any paper or textile lining designed or manufactured to be worn over the nose and mouth to protect the wearer from infection or air pollution, but excludes a face shield.”
But a study from Duke University in the United States, published in the journal Science Advances this month, found that there are “masks” that actually increase the spread of droplets, rather than reduce it.
While most people would obey the spirit of the law and wear the proper masks, a minority in all societies will try to circumvent the law.
The rule here, that everyone must wear a mask when outside, unless they are exercising, eating or drinking, is open to interpretation as to what this mask should be.
A silk scarf that covers the nose and mouth would offer some protection, but would it give enough? Would wearing masks, as Covid-19 fatigue begins, become more of a fashion statement than a health requirement for some?
Wearing a mask is mandatory, with a $ 300 fine for not doing it, because there are people with Covid-19 who do not get sick, show no symptoms, and yet can infect others. If everyone wore a mask whenever they went, it would reduce the spread of droplets from asymptomatic carriers and reduce the risk of the virus spreading to others without knowing it.
But not all skins are the same. Some offer greater barriers against the spread of the virus than others, although none are 100% effective. The general rule of thumb is: the easier it is to breathe with the mask on, the less effective it is. Therefore, people need to find a compromise between efficiency and comfort.
Duke’s study, which compared the spread of droplets from a variety of masks, found that most of them provided fairly good protection.
However, the study results also found that one of the 15 types tested turned out to be worse than no mask at all.
It was a single-layer neck gaiter made from 92 percent polyester and 8 percent spandex.
In explaining this apparent anomaly, the researchers said that the neck gaiter “seemed to disperse the larger droplets into a multitude of smaller droplets, which explains the apparent increase in the droplet count relative to the absence of a mask in that case. “.
“Given that smaller particles are in the air for longer than large droplets (larger droplets sink faster), wearing such a mask could be counterproductive.”
The authors added that of the masks they tested, “some types of masks approach the performance of standard surgical masks, while some mask alternatives, such as neck fleece (gaiters) or bandanas, offer very little protection. “.
Associate Professor Eric Westman, one of the researchers involved, told a webinar about the results that the findings also showed that “people spit out particles when they speak,” and not just when they cough, sneeze or scream.
Another type of mask that is best not used in public spaces, and has in fact been banned in some places, is one with valves or vents.
This mask, which facilitates breathing, protects the user. But it allows the air, including the droplets it contains, to flow freely, so it does not stop the transmission of the virus from an infected person.
Earlier this month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said: “Masks with exhalation valves or vents should not be worn to help prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading Covid- 19 to other people. “
Since then, these masks have been banned by most major US airlines, as well as some cities in that country, such as San Francisco and Denver.
Closer to home, Philippine health authorities have “strongly” advised against the use of masks with valves or vents.
But currently in Singapore, any face covering will do just fine, regardless of whether it reduces or increases the spread of drops.
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