DURHAM, NC – Since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are opting for throat doctors as their backdrop for face care. The ease with which they can slide their face up and down makes them a favorite among walkers and walkers. Now, however, a new study suggests that this light, breathable substance may be less likely to block the coronavirus than not wearing a face mask. Duke University researchers say bandanas and neck gaiters are one of the worst choices for face masks when it comes to blocking fluid drops.
To study how well face masks prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Duke team focused on fluid droplets coming out of the mouth as people talk. To use this, they used a cheap device made of cheap and easily available laboratory materials. It consists of a box, a laser, a lens, and a camera for mobile phones.
The study in the journal Science Advances shows most types of face masks that block fluid droplets traveling from far away from the mouth. Despite this discovery, not all face coverings perform as well as others.
What face masks can do the job?
The best masks are N95 masks without valves. These types of masks are often used by health care professionals and in medical facilities. Researchers say that surgical or polypropylene face covers and masks made of fabric (cotton) also work relatively well.
In contrast, block bandanas and neck gaiters do not block fluid drops at all. Study authors explain that neck gas causes larger fluid droplets in smaller particles. This increases the droplet counts and could allow particles to hang in the air longer. This in turn could increase the chance that someone wearing a neck brace would pass COVID-19 to others nearby.
“Wearing a mask is a simple and easy way to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” senior author Eric Westman said in a university statement. “About half of infections come from people who have no symptoms, and often do not know they are infected. They can spread the virus unconsciously like coughing, sneezing and just talking. ”
Westman adds that 99 percent of infected drops can be stopped before they reach another person if everyone has a functioning face mask.
“In the absence of a vaccine or antiviral drug, it’s the only proven way to protect others than yourself,” he says.
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