As the number of new cases of coronavirus continues to increase throughout the country, the recurring advice of health authorities continues to be to wear a mask, as even a group of experts warned that we must use them for at least a year.
But as masks have become more common in our new normal, so are questions about their efficacy, and now a Duke University study revealed that wearing a popular type of mask may be worse than not wearing a mask. .
Research published in Science Magazine found that trendy alternatives, such as leggings, a covering made of thin, stretchy material that covers the neck and lower face, may be ineffective in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Thus, leggings or bandanas, which are breathable and lightweight and made of a polyester spandex material , scored worse than the no-mask control group, according to the analysis.
According to the publication, the researchers evaluated 14 masks and covers, using a tool that allowed experts to track the individual particles released from a person's mouth by uttering the phrase "Stay healthy, people."
This sentence was repeated while participants wore different mask models, ranging from surgical grade N95 respirators to bandanas, and without masks to compare the result. Each of them was tested 10 times.
In the video of the study, created and shared by the specialists, Martin Fischer , associate professor of research in the departments of chemistry and physics at Duke University, warned that these alternatives can really be "counterproductive", since the porous fabric with What they are made of seems to break larger particles into smaller ones, which are more likely to remain in the air.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeEBn4ttZZY
Dr. Scott Segal , a professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine, agrees with Fischer, noting that research he conducted himself showed similar results.
"We all agree that leggings are probably not your best option. They are very convincing, easy to put on up and down, but they are probably not the best face cover," she told Today .
However, leggings and bandanas were not the only mask whose effectiveness was tested, as the research also showed that masks made from bandanas, knitted face masks and N95 masks with vents were also ineffective.
"Even a folded bandana is a poor filter. It's a very open weave and a thin material, and they're considerably less effective even against large particles. They don't seem to work very well," Segal noted.
Given this, several sportswear companies that make neck gaiters have made it clear that they are not designed for medical use.
For example, in April, the Buff company, known for its multifunctional head and neck garments, issued a public statement highlighting that its products are not scientifically proven by the CDC and the World Health Organization as an effective form of protection. during the pandemic.
"The high performance head and neck accessories are not intended to be used as medical grade face masks or as a replacement for N95 respirators as effective measures to prevent illness or the spread of the virus," he clarified.
While Chris Bernat , co-founder of a South Carolina-based bandana manufacturing company, questioned the results of the Duke University finding, saying that the institution did not give specific details about the material of the accessory that was tested.
Meanwhile, Segal advises that, for most cloth masks, people could try using a material known as 'quilting cotton' or cotton with an inner flannel layer, as it is thicker and particles do not penetrate as easily.
"We believe that the best performing masks have a tighter weave. That's not just the number of threads, it also depends on the thickness of the fibers. Higher quality cottons made from thicker threads leave fewer gaps between the fibers of the fabric. ", he concluded.
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