Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Duke Study: One Mask Type Spreads COVID-19 Faster. Will MLB Take Note?
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 5 years ago on
August 10, 2020

Share

For months, the message has been pretty simple. Wear a mask to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Now, many months into the pandemic we have a clearer picture of which masks work and which actually spread the virus.

Researchers at Duke University created a simple technique to analyze the effectiveness of various masks.

They tested 14 commonly available masks or mask alternatives and a professionally fit-tested N95 mask.

How the Study was Conducted

In the study published Friday, researchers with Duke’s physics department demonstrated a method that uses a laser beam and cell phone to evaluate mask efficiency and the transmission of respiratory droplets during normal speech.

A laser beam is expanded vertically by a cylindrical lens and shined through slits in the enclosure. The camera is located at the back of the box, a hole for the speaker in the front. The inset shows scattering for water particles from a spray bottle with the front of the box removed. (Duke University/Martin Fischer)

A subject wore a face mask and spoke into the direction of an expanded laser beam inside a dark enclosure. Droplets that propagate through the laser beam scatter light, which is recorded with a cell phone camera. A simple computer algorithm was used to count the droplets in the video.

Here is a video by researchers explaining how they did the study and some of the results they witnessed.

Best Masks: N95, Hand-Made Cotton

The researchers report the best face coverings were N95 masks without valves – hospital-grade coverings used by front-line healthcare workers. Surgical or polypropylene masks also performed well.

But hand-made cotton face coverings provided good coverage, eliminating a substantial amount of the spray.

Worst Masks: Bandanas, Neck Fleeces

“There are some masks actually hurt rather than do good,” said Duke’s Martin Fischer, an associate research chemistry and physics professor.

Bandanas and neck fleeces (also called gaiters) such as balaclavas didn’t block the droplets much at all. The study showed the neck fleece disperses larger droplets into several smaller droplets, therefore increasing the droplet count. The research on these masks showed it would actually be better to wear no mask than wear one of these.

“They were no good,” Duke physician Eric Westman said. “The notion that ‘anything is better than nothing’ didn’t hold true.”

The study explains it this way: “Considering that smaller particles are airborne longer than large droplets (larger droplets sink faster), the use of such a mask might be counterproductive.”

[covid-19-tracker]

Major League Baseball Gaiters

Fans started reaching out to Major League Baseball via Twitter after the study became public. Many big-leaguers are wearing gaiters, and baseball is battling positive coronavirus tests among players.

GV Wire℠ asked Dr. Westman if MLB should consider doing away with the gaiters in light of his study. “The simple, yet untested, answer would be to wear two or three at a time, rather than not wear them at all,” said Westman by email.

GV Wire℠ reached out to MLB public relations via email and didn’t receive a response.

The company that makes the face coverings has tweeted pictures of players wearing them in an effort to promote sales. GV Wire℠ sent an email to FOCO media relations for a response. MLBshop.com has gaiters available for every team.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California Proposes Allowing Testing of Self-Driving Heavy-Duty Trucks

DON'T MISS

Higher Taxes on Millionaires? Trump Says He’s Open, but Many in His Party Are Not

DON'T MISS

Ex-US Rep. George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft

DON'T MISS

Selma Mayor Charged With Electioneering Violation on Election Day

DON'T MISS

Fresno Air Improves. Where Does It Rank in the US?

DON'T MISS

As Harris Ponders Run for CA Governor, Is She Prepared for the Daunting Job?

DON'T MISS

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

DON'T MISS

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

DON'T MISS

Driving Near the Fresno Airport Next Week? Plan for Road Closures

DON'T MISS

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

UP NEXT

Fresno Air Improves. Where Does It Rank in the US?

UP NEXT

California’s Economy Ranks Fourth Worldwide, Surpasses Japan

UP NEXT

Exclusive: US Congress Republicans Seek $27 Billion for Golden Dome in Trump Tax Bill

UP NEXT

Shedeur Sanders Snubbed in NFL Draft’s Round 1 but Leads List of Top Available Players for Day 2

UP NEXT

Chargers Choose North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton in Effort to Boost Offense

UP NEXT

49ers Draft Georgia Edge Rusher Mykel Williams With the No. 11 Pick in the NFL Draft

UP NEXT

Why Texas Is Ahead of California on Bilingual Education

UP NEXT

US Pharma Tariffs Would Raise US Drug Costs by $51 Billion Annually, Report Finds

UP NEXT

Abundance Meets Resistance: Are CA Dems Finally Ready to Go All In on Building Housing?

UP NEXT

Less Than Half of Californians Think K-12 Schools Are on the Right Track: Poll

Selma Mayor Charged With Electioneering Violation on Election Day

2 hours ago

Fresno Air Improves. Where Does It Rank in the US?

3 hours ago

As Harris Ponders Run for CA Governor, Is She Prepared for the Daunting Job?

3 hours ago

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

3 hours ago

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

4 hours ago

Driving Near the Fresno Airport Next Week? Plan for Road Closures

4 hours ago

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

4 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest 17 in Domestic Violence Crackdown

4 hours ago

What’s Next for Fresno Smoke Shop Ordinance: Lawsuit, Veto, Override?

5 hours ago

Visalia Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2019 Fatal Stabbing

6 hours ago

California Proposes Allowing Testing of Self-Driving Heavy-Duty Trucks

LOS ANGELES — California regulators have released a new proposal to allow the testing of self-driving heavy duty trucks on public roads. The...

2 hours ago

2 hours ago

California Proposes Allowing Testing of Self-Driving Heavy-Duty Trucks

2 hours ago

Higher Taxes on Millionaires? Trump Says He’s Open, but Many in His Party Are Not

2 hours ago

Ex-US Rep. George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft

Selma Mayor Scott Robertson (left) has been charged with misdemeanor electioneering for allegedly campaigning near voters at a polling place during the November 2024 election. (Facebook)
2 hours ago

Selma Mayor Charged With Electioneering Violation on Election Day

3 hours ago

Fresno Air Improves. Where Does It Rank in the US?

3 hours ago

As Harris Ponders Run for CA Governor, Is She Prepared for the Daunting Job?

3 hours ago

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

A drone view shows containers at the terminals at the port in Kwai Chung in Hong Kong, China, April 3, 2025. (REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo)
4 hours ago

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend