Home » World » Everyday masks against coronavirus: A model provides the best protection by far

Everyday masks against coronavirus: A model provides the best protection by far

Whether shopping or on the bus and train: in many public areas, everyday masks are required to protect against the corona virus. In addition to fabric masks, scarves or scarves are also permitted – as long as they cover the mouth and nose. But what kind of mask is recommended and does it best hold back droplets when coughing and sneezing? A research team from the “Florida Atlantic University” investigated this question. They report on the results in the journal “Physics of Fluid”.

There were four different mask types in the check:

  • a scarf made of an elastic T-shirt material,
  • a mask made from a folded handkerchief,
  • a sewn, double-layer mask made of cotton,
  • and a tapered mask from the trade, made of an unspecified material.

In contrast, masks, such as those required by doctors and nursing staff in clinics, were not tested. The effectiveness of professional masks has already been proven by other tests. In addition, these masks should be reserved for people who have regular contact with people with pre-existing conditions or who work in nursing.

Everyday masks against the corona virus – this was the test

The researchers attached the masks to a mannequin and used a pump to simulate coughing and sneezing. They also used a fog machine to make the particles visible. They then evaluated the results: How far had droplets flown on the different models? Which mask best protects people around?

The result was clear: The best thing to do was to cut the self-sewn and well-fitting mask. It effectively held back droplets. In the experiment, particles flew only about 6.6 centimeters. The mask from the retail trade was slightly worse with an average of about 20 centimeters. The fabric handkerchief (38 centimeters) and the neckerchief made of elastic T-shirt material, on the other hand, were less convincing. In the latter, the droplets from coughing and sneezing hurled more than a meter despite being covered. Without protection it was 2.4 meters.

Lacher at PK with Macron: Angela Merkel explains why you never see her wearing a protective mask<video id="video_videoPlayer45670" poster="https://image.stern.de/9319396/16x9-940-529/edb38cef0ec3b963d6c06f3636c8dc8d/yR/30-merkel-traegt-maske-6168214068001-1.jpg" data-x-account="1203065853" data-x-player="Byqs6Rblz" data-x-video-id="ref:50440319-c0bb-4cc8-9cee-82b99eaa1193" data-x-embed="default" data-element-id="video_videoPlayer45670" data-x-setup="{"controls":true,"plugins":{"pip":{"url":"https://players.brightcove.net/videojs-pip/1/videojs-pip.js","params":{"closeable":true,"viewable":"0.66","height":255,"width":400,"posX":"right","posY":"bottom","manualContainerSize":true}},"chartbeat":{"url":"https://static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat_video.js","params":{"uid":"30537","domain":"stern.de"}}},"ima3":{"debug":false,"requestMode":"onplay","numRedirects":10,"timeout":8000,"hardTimeouts":true},"currentArticle":[{"id":9319394,"url":"https://www.stern.de/panorama/video--angela-merkel-erklaert--warum-man-sie-nie-mit-schutzmaske-sieht-9319394.html","kicker":"Lacher bei PK mit Macron","title":"Angela Merkel erklärt, warum man sie nie mit Schutzmaske sieht","staticTitle":"9319394:Video-Merkel trägt Maske","seoTitle":"Video: Angela Merkel erklärt, warum man sie nie mit Schutzmaske sieht","teaserText":" Bei einer Pressekonferenz nach einem Treffen von Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel mit Frankreichs Präsident Emmanuel Macron stellt eine Journalistin der Kanzlerin eine teils persönliche Frage. Merkel reagiert mit einer verschmitzten Antwort.","imageUrl":"https://image.stern.de/9319396/16x9-940-529/edb38cef0ec3b963d6c06f3636c8dc8d/yR/30-merkel-traegt-maske-6168214068001-1.jpg","videoUrl":"ref:50440319-c0bb-4cc8-9cee-82b99eaa1193","duration":34,"sources":[["STERN","stern-online"],["FEEDAGENTUREN","Reuters"]],"technicalTags":[]}],"noAds":false,"autoplay":false,"logoUrl":"https://www.stern.de/resource/blob/7231600/ca70b2f1ed53b999a1824c536aa08914/logo-stern-white-25x34-png-data.png","duration":34017,"embedLink":"https://www.stern.de/action/7097106/videoembed?videou003d9319394","pipEnabled":false,"defaultTargetParams":"u0026fwd_j4u003d1:2u0026fwd_j5u003d2:3:4u0026fwd_n2u003d3:4u0026fwd_n3u003d3:4u0026fwd_a0u003d2u0026fwd_b1u003d2u0026fwd_b2u003d2u0026fwd_n7u003d3:4u0026fwd_a9u003d2u0026fwd_b8u003d2u0026fwd_b6u003d2u0026fwd_n0u003d3:4u0026fwd_j3u003d3:4u0026fwd_a1u003d2","share":"ems_stern","embedded":true,"adb":true}" class=" video-js vjs-aspectratio-16x9 embedded" controls=""/>–

As the researchers led by Siddhartha Verma report, both the material and the construction of the masks influence how well they hold back the resulting droplets – a mask is therefore not just a mask. If masks do not close well, this can affect effectiveness. Even long periods of wear and the associated dampening can impair the protective effect.

Everyday masks made of fabric can hold back larger particles and thus reduce the risk of infection for bystanders. It is unclear whether and how well the masks can protect the wearer himself. Experts therefore emphasize the importance of distance and hygiene rules. Also, masks should ideally be washed at least 60 degrees Celsius after each wear.

Those: Physics of Fluids

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.