What to do to make masks more protective against COVID-19 according to science

Masks or masks are placed on the face and ears to reduce the risk of infection with the Corona virus or to avoid spreading it to others. In addition to vaccination, social distancing, and constant ventilation, masks are key to reducing transmission of the virus in communities. In the United States, scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Institute of Occupational Safety and Health conducted a study to provide guidelines for increasing the effectiveness of masks to reduce the spread of infectious respiratory pathogens, including the coronavirus.

The results were published in the journal American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), Journal of the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Scientists have identified specific mask combinations and appropriate modifications. It can be applied by healthcare workers, patients and the general public to improve the fit and performance of masks.

Masks are used to reduce the spread of infectious viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, which are transmitted through aerosols and droplets produced during activities such as talking, breathing and coughing. Infected people can emit it even when they have no symptoms.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a multi-layer mask, which covers the nose and mouth and forms an airtight seal on the face. “The performance of masks as infection control devices depends on the ability of the mask material to filter aerosols and the suitability of the mask to the user,” said Françoise Blacher, a research biologist at the institute. National Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and lead author of the article.

Blachere and colleagues used both human volunteers and simulated models to assess the performance of multiple mask types, combinations, and modifications. The researchers conducted a series of experiments that simulated people’s coughs and exhalations, then measured how effective the masks were at blocking respiratory aerosols.

The results showed that placing a three-layer mask over a medical mask (double mask) or attaching a medical mask with an elastic band provides the best protection against respiratory aerosols. Unmodified medical masks prevent cough sprays by 56% and exhaled sprays by 42%.

In contrast, placing a cloth mask over a medical mask prevents 85% of the droplets from being coughed up and 91% from the droplets from being exhaled. If forceps are added over a medical mask, it prevents 95% of the mist from being coughed up and 99% of the mist from being exhaled.

Wearing elastic bands, ear straps, or attaching and flexing the mask also increased performance compared to unmodified medical masks. Two other adjustments to the mask’s fit, by crossing the ear loops or placing a brace under the mask, did not increase performance.

“Since the start of the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been significant confusion about the most effective use of masks, especially among the general public, to reduce the spread of infection,” said Anne-Marie Pettis, president of the Infection Association. Control and epidemiology specialists. “The results of the new study are important and timely because they identify specific and practical combinations of face masks and modifications that can improve the fit, and thus reduce the monthly release of infectious aerosols into the environment.”

Since the beginning of the spread of the coronavirus, residents of different countries in Asia have used masks as part of prevention. In that region of the world they are more accustomed to it. In Japan, masks were widely used in 1918 during the influenza virus pandemic. In 1923, it was reused due to the impact of the great earthquake in the Kantō region.

Much later, in November 2002, another coronavirus appeared in China, now called SARS-CoV-1. Within a few months it spread all over the world. At the time, Asian countries like Hong Kong encouraged the use of masks in public, and it came to be seen as a civic responsibility to care for others.

In 2012, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) epidemic in Saudi Arabia once again gave the light to masks. This epidemic has spread to 21 countries, including countries such as Qatar, Jordan and South Korea. In the latter country, there were 17,000 suspected cases of coronavirus and 38 deaths, and residents used masks until 2015 When the spread of the virus has already been brought under control. This recent history made it easier for people in Asia to increase their use of masks last January with the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The governments of Singapore, South Korea and Japan have provided masks to residents.

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