The science is proven, right? Masks are the best answer to stopping the spread of COVID-19. But, you likely don’t find them comfortable.
So, what are the most comfortable masks that are still effective in improving safety?
Scientists at Duke University recently completed a study of 14 different types of masks to help determine the best options for preventing the spread of COVID-19. First off, while it has been stated by many public locations that “face coverings” are required for entry, this study found that “bandannas, gaiters, and knitted masks are some of the least effective face coverings for preventing the spread” of the virus.
Those are considered alternatives to true PPE (personal protective equipment) and provide slight prevention of virus transmission, and the strongest prevention comes with the N95 masks. Now, those are needed most often by healthcare professionals and were minimally available for a long time. Other true face coverings or layered cloth face masks are much more effective in preventing the spread of those liquid droplets that carry the virus from one person to another.
Another thing to remember is that “masks now come in a vast array of materials and constructions.” There are also troubles with all of these choices, especially because Americans are generally “new to mask-wearing, and the sudden influx of options can also occasionally make it challenging to determine which is the best one (fashion aside) from your collection to wear in any given situation.”
It is important to note that masks are not of fashionable purpose, but they are for the prevention of spreading the COVID-19 virus around our communities. A recent quote (politically nameless) states that the purpose of masks is a personal responsibility to one another as Americans. We have the responsibility of purchasing and wearing functional masks every time we go out in public, even if they are not the prettiest ones out there, in order to help prevent passing the virus to one another.
