Why Wear A Mask?

30 seconds

A study from Japan confirmed the belief that masks are effective when worn by someone who is infected and can otherwise spread the coronavirus (COVID-19) by coughing, sneezing or talking. A properly fitted mask blocks about 60 percent of the virus shed under those circumstances. New research shows that if you’re wearing a mask (and are not infected) and are near someone who is infected but isn’t wearing a mask, the amount of the virus you’re likely to inhale is significantly reduced compared to being maskless. When both people wear masks, the virus particles reaching you can be reduced by as much as 70 percent. Bottom line: the more you and people around you wear masks, the less likely you are to become infected.

Source:
Michael J. Imperiale et al, “Effectiveness of Face Masks in Preventing Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2,” Hiroshi Ueki, Yuri Furusawa, Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto, Masaki Imai, Hiroki Kabata, Hidekazu Nishimura, Yoshihiro Kawaoka DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00637-20