Menu
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Healthy Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Diets & Nutrition - Food Safety
    Nutrition
    healthy nutrition
    Recipes
    healthy recipes
    Featured Articles
    • Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
      Foods You Don’t Have To Buy Organic: The Clean 15
    • Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
      Foods You Should Always Buy Organic: The Dirty Dozen
    • Food Safety
      What Is Allulose?
    • Cooking & Cookware
      Buckwheat Basics?
    • Videos
      Video: Top 12 Anti-Inflammatory Foods To Add To Your Shopping List
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    herbal remedies - herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    suppliments & remedies
    Vitamins
    ask-dr-weil_vitamins-supplements-herbs_vitamins-topnav
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    The Legacy Of Living Yes | Spontaneous Happiness | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Health Tips
    Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Spontaneous Happiness
    blog_spontaneous-happiness_topnav
  • COVID-19
  • Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins
  • Shop
  • Healthy Aging
  • Podcasts
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Subscribe
Best Masks To Prevent Coronavirus
Subscribe
Press "Enter" to search
  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Bulletins

Best Masks To Prevent Coronavirus

Best Masks To Prevent Coronavirus | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil, M.D.
1 min

To begin investigating the efficiency of masks, researchers at Duke University first confirmed that when we speak, we expel small droplets, which is why the coronavirus, COVID-19 can be spread just by talking, without coughing or sneezing. They were then able to determine which face coverings work best to block expelled particles. The team found that hand-made cotton masks provide good coverage and eliminated a substantial amount of the spray from normal speech, but bandanas and many balaclavas don’t measure up. Study leader Eric Westman, M.D. said more work is needed to investigate variations in masks and individuals, as well as how people wear their masks. He added that “about half of infections are from people who don’t show symptoms, and often don’t know they’re infected. They can unknowingly spread the virus when they cough, sneeze or just talk. If everyone wore a mask, we could stop up to 99 percent of these droplets before they reach someone else. In the absence of a vaccine or antiviral medicine, it’s the one proven way to protect others as well as yourself.”

My take? I agree. Be aware that a mask should cover your face from the top of your nose to under your chin and stretch about halfway or more toward your ears with no gaps. Studies at Stanford University have shown that a properly constructed homemade cloth mask can function as well or better than a standard surgical mask.

Source:
Eric Westman et al, “Low-cost measurement of facemask efficacy for filtering expelled droplets during speech.” Science Advances, August 7, 2020; DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd3083

More current news from this week’s bulletin:

  • Yoga To Ease Anxiety
  • Can The Lockdown Make You Fat?
  • Cornbread, elevated! Chili & Cilantro Cornbread Muffins

Sign up for more Dr. Weil newsletters:


 

Read more tips, recipes, and insights on a wide variety of topics from Dr. Weil here.

COVID-19: What You Should Know About Coronavirus | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Disease & Disorders

COVID-19: What You Should Know About Coronavirus

Most Dangerous Cases Of COVID-19 | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Most Dangerous Cases Of COVID-19

COVID-19: Low Levels Of Vitamin D Increases Risk? | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Vitamins

COVID-19: Low Levels Of Vitamin D Increases Risk?

Can You Get COVID-19 Twice? | Disease & Disorders | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Disease & Disorders

Can You Get COVID-19 Twice?

Advertisement
Related Weil Products

Join Dr. Weil On Facebook Today!

Looking for the very latest from Dr. Weil on a variety of topics, including healthy living, longevity, well-being, recipes, and healthy diets – as well as photos of his daily life, garden, and wellness travels? Follow along on Facebook and join the lively conversation! You can also find him on Instagram and Twitter.
Join The Conversation!
Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Trending Now

Sugar’s Negative Impact On Health | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Sugar’s Negative Impact On Health

Walking With Your Partner | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Walking With Your Partner

Low Fat Diets & Testosterone | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Low Fat Diets & Testosterone

Rearview shot of a sporty woman jogging in the parkhttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pu/shoots/805676.jpg
Bulletins

Air Pollution & Exercise

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Information
  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage Email Subscription
Trending Articles
Sugar’s Negative Impact On Health | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Sugar’s Negative Impact On Health

Walking With Your Partner | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Walking With Your Partner

Daily Tips
Boost Your Mood In Five Simple Steps
Health Tips

Boost Your Mood In Six Simple Steps

hair and nail supplements
Health Tips

4 Supplements For Your Hair, Skin, & Nails

  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

©Copyright 2021 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com