[COVID-19] Do THESE Masks Really Work?

There’s a lot we still don’t know about COVID-19.

And until we know more, I’ll be doing three things: wearing a mask in public, washing my hands a lot, and taking steps to boost my internal defenses against ANY virus.

But did you know that not all facemasks are created equal?

A recent study tested homemade masks made from various fabrics…

And you’ll be surprised by what they found.

It’s believed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is spread by tiny droplets of liquid that project into the air when people cough, sneeze, or talk.

Those droplets either land on a surface (which someone can then pick up by touching), or someone else can inhale them while they still in the air.

The exhaled liquid can be in the form of an aerosol (which are tiny particles that stay in the air longer) or as droplets (which are larger and “drop” more quickly).

While plenty of studies have shown that masks are effective at blocking the smaller aerosol particles, fewer have evaluated their impact on reducing the transmission of the droplets… and even fewer have looked into the effectiveness of homemade masks at stopping these larger particles.

This is an important question, since countless people have dusted off their sewing machines to make masks for themselves and their communities when supply hasn’t met demand.

Researchers tested 11 materials to find out, evaluating homemade materials like clothes, quilted cloths, dishcloths, and bedsheets. Medical grade masks acted as the control.

The bottom line?

ALL of the fabrics they tested were “considerably effective” at blocking the droplets that can be released when you talk or sneeze.

Well that’s a relief!

Wearing masks is a nuisance, but if you’re going to be wearing one for the foreseeable future, it might as well be effective.