Which homemade face mask works best against the novel coronavirus? Here’s the verdict

Recent research tells us that some homemade face masks can be more effective than the professional ones in protecting you against the COVID-19 infection. Read on to know which ones work best.

By: Saswati Sarkar | | Updated: July 7, 2020 8:15 am

The infection rate within the household was found to be higher when the first confirmed cases were teenagers or people in their 60s and 70s.

The rate of COVID-19 infections is rising at an alarming rate in India and all over the world. While treatment options like remdesivir and various vaccines are being explored to tame the novel coronavirus, maintaining hand hygiene and social distancing along with mandatory use of face mask are considered to be the best ways to protect against this deadly virus as of now. Also Read - COVID-19 survivors may suffer from long-term cognitive complications: Experts warn

However, during the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic, little was known about the efficacy of face masks against the hitherto unknown virus. So, experts, research bodies and policy makers weren’t sure about the importance of mass usage of face masks. However, a few recent studies have us believe that face masks can be instrumental in bringing down the rate of COVID-19 transmission. Also Read - New COVID-19 strain is here, protect yourself with three layered surgical masks: Experts

COVID-19 Pandemic and Face Masks

A recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A found that wearing a mask in public places as a general practice is twice effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 than donning it after the symptoms manifest. The research noted that mass usage of face masks, coupled with lockdown could save us from further waves of the pandemic. Prompted by studies like this, the World Health Organization also has recommended the usage of fabric masks to decrease the spread of this deadly disease. Also Read - COVID-19 surge continues in Maharashtra: Night curfew, full lockdown on weekends in Aurangabad

The Verdict on Homemade Face Masks

Though much has been said about medical masks, we still have little data about how useful a non-medical, homemade cloth mask is, against the COVID-19 infection, the best fabric, so on and so forth. But there is some good news on this front now. A new study conducted at the Florida Atlantic University suggests that masks made with two layers of stitch-quilted cotton fabric is the best while it comes to restricting the spread of virus-loaded droplets emitted by coughing and sneezing.

The researchers noted that the performance of this cloth face covering is even better than ‘professional grade face mask.’ For this study, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, researchers reviewed cone-style masks, those made with bandana, handkerchief, and stitch-quilted cotton fabric. They used laser light and glycerine to find out the distance droplets can travel with these cloth-based face masks on. Here is what they found:

• Droplets emitted by cough from a bandana-covered mask travelled a distance of 3 feet.
• Droplets from a handkerchief covered a distance of 1 foot 3 inches
• Droplets emitted from behind cone-style masks travelled 8 inches.
• Droplets from stitch-quilted cotton fabric covered a distance of 2.5 inches.
• If not covered with a face mask, droplets from coughs and sneezes marched for more than 8 feet.

Wearing, Washing and Storing Face Masks

It is extremely important to use your face masks in the right way for them to be effective against the COVID-19 infection. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Do not touch the face mask with dirty hands, or it won’t be able to save yourself from the novel coronavirus. Clean your hands with soap and water following the 20-second rule. You can also apply an alcohol-based hand sasnitizer before putting on the mask. For an even safer side, wash your face with soap and water prior to wearing it.
While wearing a mask, make sure that it fits well over your nose and mouth. If there is a gap between your nose, chin and face mask, then you need to either change it or set it right.
Do not use chemicals to clean or disinfect your face mask. Washing a homemade cloth mask with warm water and a regular detergent will kill the pathogens that cling to it.
Keeping your face mask anywhere carelessly can attract viruses towards it. Keep them in a covered area, or in a reusable pouch, away from kids. Also, you need to discard your face covering in a scientific and safe way.

Published : July 6, 2020 6:39 pm | Updated:July 7, 2020 8:15 am

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