Researchers have long urged people to wear face masks because they can prevent the spread of airway germs to others. But now, evidence suggests that masks also protect their wearers.
What did the new research find?
Different kinds of masks “block virus to a different degree, but they all block the virus from getting in,” Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease physician at the University of California (US), told the New York Times. Dr. Gandhi and her colleagues outlined the benefits of face masks for the wearer in a new paper published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Another research, commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO), concluded that the use of face masks protects people against infection and also leads to a “much lower risk of infection”.
Research on a different strain of coronavirus has also found low infection rates among people who frequently wore masks in public, the Associated Press reported.
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Face masks are highly recommended against Covid-19, but you can further increase the level of protection in your organization with certified products.
Choose the optimal type of mask for your organization
To increase the level of protection, purchase and use only certified, high quality face masks. The WHO recommends that masks consist of at least three layers of different materials: an inner layer being an absorbent material like cotton, a middle layer of non-woven materials such as polypropylene (for the filter) and an outer layer, which is a non-absorbent material such as a polyester or a polyester blend. This combination of materials increases the filtration capacity of face coverings while still providing comfort and breathability for the wearer.
The organization said its guidance is based on numerous studies. It also reminds the public and organizations that wearing face masks should be combined with other measures such as hand hygiene, physical distancing and regular cleaning of touch surfaces.