June 8, 2020

COVID-19 and Non-Traditional Mask Use: How Do Various Materials Compare in Reducing the Infection Risk for Mask Wearers?

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

• Wilson et al. found that mask use reduced mean infection risk by 44-99% for short exposures and 24-94% for long exposures using a probabilistic model with exposure scenarios that represented a healthcare setting. Of non-traditional materials that could be used for masks, vacuum cleaner bags were the most effective, and scarves were the least effective.  

Wilson et al. (June 2, 2020). COVID-19 and Non-Traditional Mask Use: How Do Various Materials Compare in Reducing the Infection Risk for Mask Wearers? The Journal of Hospital Infection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.05.036