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Thursday, 24 September 2026
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Thursday, 24 September 2026
Sun FM Gossip
STUDY PROVES THAT MASKS REDUCE THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS
Thursday, 13 August 2020
Duke University physician Eric Westman was one of the first people who studied masking as a means to reduce the spread of coronavirus by working with a local non-profit to provide free masks to at-risk and under-served populations in the greater Durham community.
However, he needed to know whether the ‘virus-blocking’ claims mask suppliers made were true, in order to assure that he wasn't providing ineffective masks that spread viruses along with false security.
Martin Fischer, Ph.D., a chemist, and physicist, stepped into the limelight. As director of the Advanced Light Imaging and Spectroscopy facility, he normally focuses on exploring new optical contrast mechanisms for molecular imaging, but for this task, he ‘MacGyvered’ a relatively inexpensive apparatus from common lab materials that can easily be purchased online. The setup consisted of a box, a laser, a lens, and a cell phone camera.
In a study done, Fischer, Westman, and colleagues report that the simple, low-cost technique provided visual proof that face masks are effective in reducing droplet emissions during normal wear.
Also, the researchers report that the best face coverings were N95 masks without valves -- the hospital-grade coverings that are used by front-line health care workers. Surgical or polypropylene masks also performed well.
But hand-made cotton face coverings provided good coverage, eliminating a substantial amount of the spray from normal speech.
On the other hand, bandanas and neck fleeces such as balaclavas didn't block the droplets much at all.
However, he needed to know whether the ‘virus-blocking’ claims mask suppliers made were true, in order to assure that he wasn't providing ineffective masks that spread viruses along with false security.
Martin Fischer, Ph.D., a chemist, and physicist, stepped into the limelight. As director of the Advanced Light Imaging and Spectroscopy facility, he normally focuses on exploring new optical contrast mechanisms for molecular imaging, but for this task, he ‘MacGyvered’ a relatively inexpensive apparatus from common lab materials that can easily be purchased online. The setup consisted of a box, a laser, a lens, and a cell phone camera.
In a study done, Fischer, Westman, and colleagues report that the simple, low-cost technique provided visual proof that face masks are effective in reducing droplet emissions during normal wear.
Also, the researchers report that the best face coverings were N95 masks without valves -- the hospital-grade coverings that are used by front-line health care workers. Surgical or polypropylene masks also performed well.
But hand-made cotton face coverings provided good coverage, eliminating a substantial amount of the spray from normal speech.
On the other hand, bandanas and neck fleeces such as balaclavas didn't block the droplets much at all.