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Home-Made Face Masks Likely Need at Least 2 Layers to Curb COVID-19 Spread

posted by Fnord666 on Monday July 27 2020, @03:01PM   
from the and-they-need-to-actually-fit dept.

upstart writes in with an IRC submission for carny:

Home-made face masks likely need at least 2 layers to curb COVID-19 spread:

Home-made cloth face masks likely need a minimum of two layers, and preferably three, to prevent the dispersal of viral droplets from the nose and mouth that are associated with the spread of COVID-19, indicates a video case study published online in the journal Thorax.

[...] A team of Australian researchers therefore compared the effectiveness of single and double-layer cloth face coverings (175 g/m² cotton fabric, with a thread count of 170/ inch) with a 3-ply surgical face mask (Bao Thach) at reducing droplet spread.

[...] The video recording showed that the 3-ply surgical face mask was the most effective at reducing airborne droplet dispersal, although even a single layer cloth face covering reduced the droplet spread from speaking.

But a double layer covering was better than a single layer in reducing the droplet spread from coughing and sneezing, the recording showed.

This is just one case, added to which several other factors contribute to the effectiveness of cloth face masks, note the researchers. These include the type of material used, design and fit, as well as the frequency of washing.

Nevertheless, based on their observations, a home made cloth mask with at least two layers is preferable to a single layer mask, they say, adding: "Guidelines on home-made cloth masks should stipulate multiple layers."

And they emphasise: "There is a need for more evidence to inform safer cloth mask design, and countries should ensure adequate manufacturing or procurement of surgical masks."

Journal Reference:
Prateek Bahl, Shovon Bhattacharjee, Charitha de Silva, et al. Face coverings and mask to minimise droplet dispersion and aerosolisation: a video case study [$], Thorax (DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-215748)

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Original Submission

• Re:Use one layer of cheesecloth Re:Use one layer of cheesecloth (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 29 2020, @03:38AM (2 children)

  by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 29 2020, @03:38AM (#1027982)

  You know, for someone who is agreeing with me, you're really obnoxious about it.

  Non-sequiturs? Although you probably just didn't follow the thread, I'll channel you and assume you're stupid.

  First, Oakenshield complains about Ohio [soylentnews.org]:

  State of Ohio mask requirement order starting July 23 @ 6:00PM.

  Masks are required with very narrow exceptions:

  --- At an indoor location that is not a residence

  I am in a building mostly by myself in an office completely by myself. I see maybe two people per day as our place of work is closed and I am considered essential personnel. This is no exception despite the fact that I frequently have the whole floor of the building to myself and may see nobody the entire day. I am at least given a generous exception while actively eating lunch.

  --- Waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, such as a taxi, a car service, or a private car used for ride-sharing.

  Standing outside your home waiting for an Uber or taxi requires a mask regardless of proximity to anyone.

  Later, Oakenshield then claims that [soylentnews.org]:

  States and areas with the most restrictive lockdowns are mostly Democratic. Look at DC. It's a $1,000 fine if they catch you without your mask.

  I then pointed out that wasn't true [soylentnews.org], using New York as an example, then wondered aloud why he focused on "D" places WRT restrictions, after complaining about Ohio, a solidly "R" state:

  I live in NYC, which is about 5-1 Democratic and folks aren't being fined for not wearing masks. And all of NY state is in phase 4 of reopening, and isn't locked down at all [ny.gov].

  In fact, that's not allowed [policeone.com].

  You were just complaining about OH which is pretty much fully controlled by the Rs.

  So what was it you were trying to say? Nothing useful or interesting, I guess.

  Oakenshield then says [soylentnews.org]:

  I could have just as easily said Michigan which has an almost identical order and is run by a Democrat.

  Which got me to the comment to which you replied.

  Are you following along so far? I wouldn't want you to get confused.

  My point was that Oakenshield was talking out of both sides of his mouth. Complaining about Ohio's restrictions, then blaming Democrats for them. Since the truth is that it doesn't really matter which particular party may control local/state governments -- some have focused on the data to drive their decision making, and some have not.

  As such, you are agreeing with me, though you don't seem to be bright enough to realize that.

  More's the pity.

  Parent

• Re:Use one layer of cheesecloth Re:Use one layer of cheesecloth (Score: 2) by Oakenshield on Wednesday July 29 2020, @09:02PM (1 child)

  by Oakenshield (4900) on Wednesday July 29 2020, @09:02PM (#1028297)

  I made no causal connection of the Ohio order to Democrats. That was just wholly conceived in your imagination. I did point out the the most restrictive orders DO COME from Democratic strongholds which is generally true. MSM has been harping on that fact for weeks as a success story with NYC as their favorite example.

  My chief complaint is not in the Ohio order itself but the implementation of it. I thought I had made myself clear. Yes I am complaining about Ohio but in fact Michigan implemented a nearly identical order with the exact same flaws. That statement was to break the implied accusation that the Ohio order was a bad Republican plan created as an isolated event. That was in response to a comment that made the case that Ohio can't expect any better with a Republican governor:

  That's what you get for living in a state with an (R) governor.

  Your comment that NYC residents are not being fined is also disingenuous. It looks like there is a statewide $1,000 fine for NYC citizens on the table currently and a fairly strict mask order as well. The fact that it is not being enforced is entirely irrelevant. I am also unlikely to be fined since there is nobody else in my workplace to turn me in.

  Do you wear your mask when you shower at the gym after a workout? In Ohio (AND MICHIGAN) you would be required to wear one if following the letter of the law. If we copied NY fines, a maskless showering scofflaw could conceivably be on the hook for a grand if someone with a badge was having a bad day and took it out on them.

  Parent

  • Re:Use one layer of cheesecloth (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 29 2020, @09:15PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 29 2020, @09:15PM (#1028306)

    Do you wear your mask when you shower at the gym after a workout? In Ohio (AND MICHIGAN) you would be required to wear one if following the letter of the law. If we copied NY fines, a maskless showering scofflaw could conceivably be on the hook for a grand if someone with a badge was having a bad day and took it out on them.

    If gyms were open in NY (which they're not, and a good thing too) I'd likely shower at home even without a pandemic.

    Apparently, you're not familiar with the difference between De Jure and De Facto [wustl.edu]

    And much of that has to do with adherence (or the lack thereof) to Wheaton's Law [knowyourmeme.com].

    I haven't yet decided if you're just not very good at communicating in English (and no, I don't know what you're thinking unless you actually say it) or you're just a dickhead.

    It's sad that it took four or five comments from you to mostly discern what you were trying to say. Work on it. I know you can do better.

    Parent