A new study conducted in the US suggests that wearing two masks instead of one offers a significantly better protection against Covid-19 transmission.?
The study also found out that close fitting masks are much better than wearing a regular mask too.
Conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the study examined the efficiency of various types of masks as well as their fitting over a person’s mouth.?
The researchers in the study experimented with different combinations of masks as well as their fittings by knotting the ear loops to improve fit.?
"Each modification substantially improved source control and reduced wearer exposure," the study concluded. "These experiments highlight the importance of good fit to maximize mask performance," it said.
In one test, the researchers coupled the use of a medical mask with a cloth mask. It was found that the combination of the cloth mask covering the medical mask blocked 92 percent of cough particles. In contrast, an unknotted medical mask alone blocked 42 percent of particles from a simulated cough, while the cloth mask alone blocked 44 percent.
Similar results were seen if the medical mask was made to fit better through knotting and tucking. Both the methods reduced the cumulative exposure of the unmasked receiver by 82 percent and 63 percent respectively.
It is widely believed that the novel Coronavirus mainly spreads through the air, rather than contaminated surfaces. As respiratory droplets travel considerable distances and can infect someone up to several metres, masks have proved to be the ultimate weapon against the Covid-19 spread. Studies like these are hence important to improve our understanding of how best to make them work.
(With inputs from AFP)