US Researchers Find Masks Helpful In Combating Covid-19 Spread, Surgical Masks More Effective Than Cloth

Masks have been touted as an important tool in curbing the spread of Covid-19. There are different kinds of masks. All these masks provide certain levels of protection. Doctors across the world are recommending using masks regularly to prevent droplets and thus limiting the spread of the virus. Past studies have suggested that wearing a mask could significantly reduce respiratory viruses or bacteria emitted in aerosols and droplets. According to the latest study conducted in the United States, surgical masks offer a higher level of protection than a mask made of cloth. It is said that using a surgical mask can help in reducing the spread of Covid-19 in communities.

Notably, ever since the pandemic struck the world, there has been a buzz around using masks regularly to cut the risk of transmission. Yale University researchers said that they tracked more than 340,000 adults in real-world scenarios in rural areas of Bangladesh. They found strong evidence that masks impact on limiting Covid-19. Researchers said that scientific debate should end now about the role of masks in effectively combating Covid-19. Researchers find that people wearing masks saw around a 9 percent reduction in symptomatic seroprevalence. They also experienced a 12 percent reduction in symptoms of Covid-19 infection. Researchers, however, said that this did not mean masks are just 9 percent effective in curbing the spread of the virus.

The study said that the efficacy number will be several times higher if masks are universal. It added that cloth masks also helped in reducing Covid-19 symptoms. But cloth masks don’t provide the level of protection that surgical masks can. The study didn’t say that cloth masks are ineffective in limiting the spread. Researchers find very clear evidence of protection against the virus in people using surgical masks. According to the World Health Organization, regularly using masks is among other measures that can suppress transmission of Covid-19. Masks should cover the nose, mouth, and chin. Masks can save many lives. The WHO recommends not using masks with valves.