Masks alone may not stop COVID-19 spread without physical distancing, study says
WASHINGTON : Simply wearing a face mask may not protect you from catching the novel coronavirus, that causes COVID-19, if you are not maintaining physical distancing, according to a study.
The research, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, tested how five different types of mask materials affected the spread of droplets that carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus, when we cough or sneeze.
All the material the researchers tested dramatically reduced the number of droplets that were transmitted.
However, enough droplets to potentially cause the viral illness still made it through several of the materials when physical distance was less than six feet, they said.
It takes masks plus social distancing to stop spread of coronavirus, new research says
Updated Dec 23, 2020;
Posted Dec 23, 2020
Mask reminder for patrons before entering Talula s Pizza in Asbury Park, N.J., this month. Wearing masks helps stops the spread of coronavirus most effectively when paired with social distancing, new research suggests.
Noah K. Murray for | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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CLEVELAND, Ohio Wearing a mask doesn’t do much good if you don’t social distance, too.
That’s the finding of a new study that tested five types of mask materials and how well they stopped droplets carrying the coronavirus, which is spread by breathing, coughing, sneezing and talking.
Face masks alone may not stop coronavirus spread without physical distancing, study says
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Last Updated: Dec 23, 2020, 12:33 PM IST
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Synopsis
The research, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, tested how five different types of mask materials affected the spread of droplets that carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus, when we cough or sneeze.
Reuters
WASHINGTON: Simply wearing a face mask may not protect you from catching the novel coronavirus, that causes COVID-19, if you are not maintaining physical distancing, according to a study. The research, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, tested how five different types of mask materials affected the spread of droplets that carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus, when we cough or sneeze.
Masks Help Curb COVID-19’s Spread But May Not be Enough at Close Distances December 23, 2020
Simply wearing a face mask may not be enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19 without social distancing.
In a new project Physics of Fluids, by AIP Publishing, researchers tested how five different types of mask materials impacted the spread of droplets that carry the coronavirus when we cough or sneeze.
Every material tested dramatically reduced the number of droplets that were spread. But at distances of less than 6 feet, enough droplets to potentially cause illness still made it through several of the materials.
“A mask definitely helps, but if the people are very close to each other, there is still a chance of spreading or contracting the virus,” said Krishna Kota, an associate professor at New Mexico State University and one of the article’s authors. “It’s not just masks that will help. It’s both the masks and distancing.”
By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
New Mexico is partnering with a national health care company to provide free, at-home COVID-19 test kits.
State health officials said Tuesday that the kits can be ordered via Vault Medical Services website. All that s needed is an internet connection, email address and a photo.
Recipients can mail the sample back for processing after self-administering the test with a virtual testing supervisor. Results will be returned within 24 to 48 hours of being received by the lab.
State officials acknowledged the lack of broadband access around New Mexico and said the new at-home option is meant to bolster the in-person testing clinics that have been operating since the pandemic began.