Name: Homemade face masks need at least 2 layers to catch and block coronavirus droplets, study finds
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Homemade face masks need at least 2 layers to catch and block coronavirus droplets, study finds

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Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.Redeem nowOver 3 million people read ; you should too!Something is loading.After to trap droplets being sprayed from a person's mouth, researchers found that face coverings need at least two layers to be effective.For the study, the researchers at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, spoke, coughed, and sneezed, while wearing a single-layer mask made of a T-shirt, and then a double-layer mask that was sewn using the CDC-suggested method.They also did the experiment with no mask at all, and a surgical mask.Using a video camera and LED lights, the researchers could see the amount of droplets that were able to get through the masks they tested.They found that the single-layer homemade mask reduced the spread of droplets during speaking, and said this confirmed that, "even a single-layer face covering is better than no face covering."But the double-layer mask was better than a single-layer for reducing droplets while speaking, and proved "significantly better" than the single-layer for catching droplets from coughing and sneezing.The researchers said the surgical mask was the best form of coverage in all three scenarios, but but these masks are not recommended for the general public, as a way to protect the supply for healthcare workers.Since the coronavirus pandemic ramped up in the United States, mask-wearing and the best types of among the public, and public-health experts and officials.In early April, Insider reporters Hilary Brueck and Gabby Landsverk wrote that the wearing face masks because it provided a false sense of safety compared to other proven measures, like hand-washing and limiting time in public spaces.But both organizations have since changed their stances, and the homemade option for reducing coronavirus spread.According to epidemiologist Maria D. Van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead on COVID-19, this recommendation was made .The WHO's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned people about being over-reliant on face coverings."I cannot say this clearly enough: Masks alone will not protect you from COVID-19. Masks are not a replacement for physical distancing, hand hygiene, and other public health measures," Tedros said.Ben Cowling, a professor of epidemiology and a mask researcher at the University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, said face masks are "useful" for people in mass transit or the grocery store."The argument ... about everybody wearing a mask is not that it will prevent everyone from getting infected — it's that it will slow down transmission in the community a bit,"&nbsp;. "That's already useful. Just to have even a small effect is useful."The researchers of the homemade-mask experiment said that layers aren't the only important factor in DIY-mask efficacy, but their demonstration proves it does matter to an extent.They said the , how each layer is arranged in the mask, and how often the mask is washed could also play a role in overall effectiveness. For the time being, they suggested people aim to wear three-layer homemade masks for optimal protection.Sign up for notifications from Insider! Stay up to date with what you want to know.Subscribe to push notificationsAn icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.Keep readingIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.Redeem nowOver 3 million people read ; you should too!Something is loading.After to trap droplets being sprayed from a person's mouth, researchers found that face coverings need at least two layers to be effective.For the study, the researchers at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, spoke, coughed, and sneezed, while wearing a single-layer mask made of a T-shirt, and then a...

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Homemade face masks need at least 2 layers to catch and block coronavirus droplets, study finds

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