Cloth masks do not protect well against COVID-19

Coronavirus, like many viruses, is airborne. An infected person breathes out particles containing the coronavirus into the environment, and other people are infected by breathing in these particles. Researchers from the UK, France and Germany, decided to test whether fabric masks can protect against infection.

According to Medportal.ru, the woven material, unlike the material used in standard air filters and masks, consists of twisted fibers. Using 3D images, the scientists simulated the flow of air through these strands and calculated the efficiency of filtration for particles with a diameter of a micrometer or more. These sizes correspond to the size of viruses.

The results showed that for such small particles, the filtering efficiency of fabric masks is low. When a person breathes in such a mask, most of the air passes through the gaps between the filaments in the material, which actually allow more than 90% of the particles to pass through.

Masks are air filters, and fabrics such as cotton can make good jeans, shirts and other clothing, but as air filters they are bad. The relatively large gaps between the fibers are why the fabric is unsuitable for making normal air filters, says study co-author Richard Cyr.

According to the scientists, earlier studies of fabric masks have shown similar results, but this work is the first to simulate particles passing directly through gaps in the fabric material.

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