Best Face Masks
For their study containing the virus (SARS–CoV-2) that causes COVID-19, the team used a laser to detect droplets coughed and sneezed out of a mannequin head. They were then able to map the paths of the droplets and determine how different mask designs and materials affected the droplet trajectories. The study showed that loosely folded face masks and bandanna-style coverings reduced the distance droplets from an uncovered cough traveled through the air by up to about half. But overall the most effective masks were well-fitted homemade ones with multiple layers of quilting fabric as well as off-the-shelf cone style masks. Study leader Siddhartha Verma noted that it is also important to understand “that face covering are not 100 percent effective in blocking respiratory pathogens. This is why it is imperative that we use a combination of social distancing, face coverings, hand-washing and other recommendations from health care officials until an effective vaccine is released.” Learn more about face masks.
Source:
Siddhartha Verma et al, “Visualizing the effectiveness of face masks in obstructing respiratory jets,” Physics of Fluids, June 30, 2020, aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0016018.
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