[bioundgrd] new information on masks

[Alan D Grossman]

Dear Colleagues,

An article came out this past weekend (pdf attached) by Fischer et al. in Science Advances that described the efficacy of different types of face masks (https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/08/07/sciadv.abd3083).  Based on data in this manuscript, recommended types include: N95, surgical, and cotton masks.  Bandanas and polyester/fleece masks appear to be largely ineffective and fleece masks might actually INCREASE the number of small droplets by shearing larger ones.

Based on the findings described in this manuscript, I believe we should be wearing surgical or cotton masks (saving N95s for the health care community).  

Best wishes,
Alan



Alan D. Grossman
Professor and Head
Department of Biology
Building 68-530
M.I.T.
Cambridge, MA   02139

(617) 253-1515
adg at mit.edu




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