Harvard expert on why wearing a mask can make a difference in the COVID-19 pandemic
Dr. Tom Tsai, a health policy researcher at Harvard’s TH Chan School of Public Health, says wearing a mask, distancing yourself socially, and washing your hands reduces the risk of infection. But all these things together are even better.
SPOKANE, wash. – As the new coronavirus emerges amid rushed reopens in U.S. states, some state officials have ordered residents to wear masks in public, and the widely shared Twitter thread of a medical expert demonstrates the effectiveness of wearing a face covering in the midst of a pandemic that is far from over.
Dr. Richard Davis, who is the director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, tweeted a series of photos showing two demonstrations aimed at understanding how effective face masks are at blocking respiratory drops. from the mouth of an individual, while also illustrating the importance of social distancing.
Wearing a standard triple-layer hospital surgical mask, Davis sneezed, sang, spoke, and coughed into an agar culture plate with and without a mask. Davis noted in her Twitter thread that she sang “Dear Theodosia” from Hamilton for the singing part of the experiment.
FILE – Dr. Richard Davis demonstrates various actions such as singing and coughing to show how a face mask blocks the spread of respiratory drops. (FILE – Dr. Richard Davis demonstrates various actions such as singing and coughing to show how a face mask blocks the spread of respiratory drops.)
Agar culture plates are Petri dishes filled with agar, a gelatinous substance obtained from the red algea for culture, or help multiply microorganisms. After taking each action, Davis said bacteria colonies formed on the dishes where the respiratory droplets emitted from his mouth landed.
“The bacteria colonies show where the drops landed. A mask blocks practically all of them, ”Davis wrote in a caption for the publication.
The images from the experiment showed that each action performed without a mask almost covered each Petri dish in bacteria, while the plates used during the masked demonstration were left almost intact. Sneezing and coughing made the most noticeable difference on the plates.
In the second demonstration, Davis showed how keeping distance makes a difference in stopping the spread of respiratory drops.
“I put open bacteria culture plates 2, 4, and 6 feet away and coughed (loud) for ~ 15 seconds. I repeated this without a mask, “Davis wrote.
FILE – Photograph by Dr. Rich Davis demonstrating how social distancing with a face mask impacts the spread of respiratory drops.
The images show that standing two feet away without a mask practically covered the Petri dish with bacteria. Davis’s respiratory droplets also managed to land on the plate four feet without a mask with meager amounts still managing to reach the plate six feet away.
But no matter the distance, the demo showed that a mask almost completely blocked bacteria from landing on the plates.
Davis also noted that, in addition to the actions shown in his demonstration, the simple act of breathing is also a source of spread of the respiratory drops.
“Just breathing (exhaling) releases moisture from the lungs; think when you exhale on a glass panel,” he said. “Also, during the act of normal breathing, you can clear your throat, laugh, or sigh. Would there be as many drops and potential microbes spread as coughing or sneezing (common symptoms of respiratory tract infections)? Probably not, but there may be some. “
Davis said the experiment “was primarily looking at how a mask can block drops and secretions from the mouth.”
“The normal bacteria colonies in my mouth / throat show the spread of large respiratory droplets, like the one we think primarily # COVID19 has spread, and how a mask can block them!” Davis wrote on Twitter.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a cloth face covering while in public to help combat the spread of COVID-19, especially in settings where social distancing measures can be difficult to keep.
Research shows that the material of his mask is important, and although Davis used a surgical-grade face covering in his demonstration, he said, “Any kind of material, a hospital-grade surgical mask, a homemade cotton mask, even paper. of silk in front of my mouth would probably have had the same effect on the appearance of these bacteria culture plates. “
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“Everyone would do something. But would they be equally effective in blocking all drops or sprays? No, ”said Davis.
Government officials in several states took action on Monday, ordering residents to wear masks in public in a dramatic change amid an alarming resurgence of coronavirus cases across the country.
In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy announced that he is postponing the restart of eating indoors because people have not worn face masks or failed to comply with recommendations for social distancing.
Democratic governors in Oregon and Kansas said Monday they would require people to wear masks. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s order will require people to wear face covers in indoor public spaces beginning Wednesday. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said she will issue an executive order requiring the use of masks in stores and businesses, restaurants and in any situation where the 6-foot social estrangement cannot be maintained, including outdoors. The order takes effect on Friday.
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As the United States exceeds 120,000 deaths from the new coronavirus, wearing a face mask, which many medical experts recommend as one of the best lines of defense against the highly contagious virus, has become increasingly politicized.
The rejection of wearing a mask has been repeatedly fueled by President Donald Trump, who has routinely refused to wear any form of facial covering in public, while minimizing the threat of the virus and insisting, against the evidence, that “it it’s fading, it’s going to fade away. “
But Davis argues against the politicization of wearing a face covering.
“I don’t think anyone in health care or public health, or just people who want to be socially conscious in the midst of this pandemic, are happy with the politicization of the masks,” he said. “The more everyone can encourage masking, correct misinformation about masking, and make them available, the better.”
Davis said that for people who complain of discomfort or difficulty breathing while wearing a mask, there are other protection options.
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“Masks can be uncomfortable, even when you’re less used to wearing them,” Davis said. “Just ask healthcare workers and lab staff who wear masks all day. People with disabilities or who experience respiratory problems or discomfort may want to consider a clear plastic face shield that can also act as a barrier to drops, does not darken their face, and may be easier to clean and reuse than a mask. “
The Associated Press contributed to this story. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
