Although research on the effectiveness of different types of face masks or coverings against the coronavirus is varied, experts and politicians tend to agree that some protection is better than none.

The UK made face covers mandatory for all public transport from June to July, as well for indoor shops in July. 

Let’s see what the studies so far have revealed about masks working: 

FACE MASKS: LOWER VIRUS RATE (JANUARY 20,21)

Boston University researchers discovered that face masks are an effective method to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The study, published in the journal Lancet Digital Health, found a 10 per cent rise in self-reported mask wearing is associated with a three-fold increase in the odds of keeping the R number – the number of others each person with coronavirus infects – below 1.

Ben Rader of Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston University and co-author of the research said that masks are not an effective substitute for physical separation. 

DECEMBER 2020: THE INFECTIOUS DOPLETS WILL STILL SLIPP THROUGH

New Mexico State University scientists discovered that while a cloth mask does not protect completely against coronavirus, infected droplets may slip through. But it can significantly lower the risk.

According to Dr Krishna Kota who was an associate professor at the university and led the research, “Wearing a face mask can provide substantial protection, but not complete protection for a vulnerable person.”

According to the study, all of the masks were effective in blocking at least 95% of cough and sneeze droplets. However, there is still risk that this disease could be passed.

DECEMBER 2020: MASKS ‘WILL ALWAYS BETTER THAN NOTHING’

Research by the University of Massachusetts Lowell and California Baptist University in the US found wearing a used three-layer surgical mask can reduce the number of small droplets that are released into the air by two thirds.

Jinxiang Xi, co-author, said that it is normal to believe that wearing a face mask, regardless of its age, is better than no one.

“Our research shows that the belief only holds for particles greater than 5 micrometers in size, and not fine particles less than 2.5 micrometers. 

MASK-WEARERS EXACTLY LIKELY to CATCH VIRUS (NOVEMBER 2020).

Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark found that face masks offer limited protection from Covid infections.

Researchers discovered that there wasn’t a statistically significant difference between people who were exposed to the virus by wearing masks and those who didn’t.

The study was carried out in April and May when Danish authorities did not recommend wearing face coverings. 

MASK LEAVES TO THOUSANDS FEWER DROPLETS (AUGUST 2020).

Edinburgh University, Scotland suggests that cloth masks can reduce the spread of drops from coughing and sneezing.

These findings show that a person sitting two meters from someone who is coughing but does not wear a mask may be exposed to 10,000 times as many droplets than someone who stands half a metre from them wearing a single-layer basic mask. 

Paul Digard of University of Edinburgh Roslin Institute stated that the simple message of our research was that face masks are effective.

“A face mask can reduce the risk of someone being infected by the virus unknowingly.

N95 MEDICAL MASKS COULD PREVENT 99 % OF SPEAD (AUGUST 2020).

A study by Duke University in North Carolina, US, found N95 masks are the most effective masks at reducing the spread of Covid-19.

The research published in the journal Science Advances, studied 14 types of face coverings.

Eric Westman, co-author said that if everyone had a mask they could prevent up to 99 per cent of the droplets from reaching someone else.

“In the absence a vaccine or an antiviral drug, it’s the best way to protect yourself as well as others. 

SURGICAL COVERINGS ARE JUST AS GOOD (MARCH 2020).

An Oxford University study concluded surgical masks can prevent respiratory infection as well as N95 respirators. It was published March 30, 2013. 

N95 respirators use thick, tightly knitted, and moulded material. This allows for 95 percent protection against airborne particles. Surgery masks can be fitted more loosely and are porous.

The Oxford analysis of past studies – which has not yet been peer reviewed – found that surgical masks were worth wearing but any face mask is only as good as other health and hygiene practices.