By Robert Preidt
HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay Information) — Face masks are touted as a key software in stopping the unfold of COVID-19, and a brand new examine provides extra proof that they work.
Florida researchers discovered face masks reduce the space that airborne pathogens such because the coronavirus can journey by greater than half.
The findings counsel that some COVID-19 social distancing guidelines may very well be relaxed when individuals put on masks, in accordance with the authors.
“The analysis supplies clear proof and pointers that three toes of distancing with face coverings is healthier than six toes of distancing with out face coverings,” mentioned examine co-author Kareem Ahmed. He is an affiliate professor within the College of Central Florida division of mechanical and aerospace engineering.
For the study, Ahmed and colleagues used particular devices to measure the space in all instructions that droplets and aerosols traveled from 14 individuals, aged 21 to 31, once they spoke and coughed whereas carrying several types of masks or not carrying a masks.
Every participant recited a phrase and simulated a cough for 5 minutes with no face-covering, with a fabric face protecting, and with a three-layered disposable surgical masks.
Airborne emissions produced by the members once they spoke or coughed unfold 4 toes in all instructions once they had no masks, in contrast with about two toes once they wore a fabric face protecting and about six inches once they wore a surgical masks, the investigators discovered.
The examine was revealed Jan. 12 within the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Studying extra about tips on how to scale back airborne transmission of infectious illnesses may also help hold individuals protected and handle responses to COVID-19 and different pandemics, in accordance with the researchers.
The subsequent step is to develop the examine with extra members.
The thought for the examine got here from jet propulsion analysis carried out by the workforce.
“The ideas are the identical,” Ahmed mentioned in a college information launch. “Our cough and speech are exhausted propulsion plumes.”
Extra data
The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention provides a guide to masks.
SOURCE: College of Central Florida, information launch, Jan. 12, 2022
