What’s the Best Material for a Mask?

Scientists are testing everyday items to find the best protection from coronavirus. Pillow cases, flannel pajamas and origami vacuum bags are all candidates.

Federal health officials have now recommended that we cover our faces with fabric during the coronavirus pandemic. But what material offers the most protection?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted a no-sew mask pattern using a bandanna and a coffee filter as well as a video on making masks using rubber bands and folded fabrics found at home.

While a simple face covering can reduce the spread of coronavirus by blocking outgoing germs from coughs or sneezes of an infected person, experts say there is more variation in how much homemade masks might protect the wearer from incoming germs, depending on the fit and quality of the material used. Read More

Also See:
Coronavirus: Who Needs Masks or Other Protective Gear?
Why Wear Face Masks in Public? Here’s What the Research Shows
Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
How to Make Your Own Face Mask (Whether or Not You Know How to Sew)
How to make EASY FACE MASK in 1 MINUTE - NO SEWING! WASHABLE, REUSABLE FACE MASK [XS-XXL] [Video]
How to Make Your own Face Covering [Video]

Health experts are divided on the benefits of wearing a cloth face mask as a public health measure. People are apt to mistakenly think a cloth face mask will protect them from contagion and will ignore the other public health measures such as staying home and staying away from people. For example, several days ago a group of men crowded onto a neighbor's small front porch. One was wearing a face mask. While the wearing of a cloth face mask will reduce the spread of the coronavirus from people who have been infected with the virus but are not yet showing symptoms of the virus, they have very little usefulness in protecting the wearer from infection with the virus.

If someone wears a cloth face mask to go shopping, he or she should still keep a six foot distance from other people. The wearer should remove the mask carefully and wash it immediately in soap and hot water. The wearer should also wash their hands after each use. The wearer should discard the mask after several uses as the repeated washing will weaken the fabric. If the wearer is using a home-made mask that hooked on the ears with rubber bands, I would recommend immersing the rubber bands in rubbing alcohol and replacing them frequently too.

I also recommend that readers take time to read about the pros and cons of wearing a cloth face mask in the foregoing articles.

Note the woman and the baby in the photo are wearing their face masks incorrectly. The straps should be on the outside. Otherwise the mask bulges at the sides and does not properly cover the mouth and nose.