Article on Neck Gaiters as Masks

[Cat.Radcliffe]

Interesting WaPo article on the efficacy of neck gaiters as masks:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle...story.html

It refers to a prior article citing a study in which Duke University researchers tested single-layer neck gaiters as masks, and recorded more particulate emissions than not wearing anything.

This new article discusses the reactions and additional tests, which seem to show that doubled gaiter fabric is effective, and hypothesizes that the increased particulate emissions in the original study may have included microfiber shedding.

Draw your own conclusions.  Or withhold them pending more info. Was it Country Joe and the Fish who sang "You can't believe a thing you hear, and less of what they say"?

P.S. Honk if you know who Country Joe and the Fish are :-)

[Cam]

I wear mine folded over /doubled up.  Not because of run-of-the-mill studies, but because two layers are better than one most of the time. Studies are usually done under very specific test conditions and preselected variables. The results are just data that can be aggregated with other data sources and previous knowledge , which can then be incorporated into analysis to provide meaningful information in order to either confirm or deny a hypothesis, or nothing at all.  The studies we read as news fillers are woefully inadequate at providing useful guidance. Unfortunately we tend to jump to conclusions and mistake studies for the latest scientific discoveries. Others tend to use such studies just to confirm their preconceptions, in the case at hand to justify not wearing a bandana or neck gaiter.

[mbhazeltine]

Interesting WaPo article on the efficacy of neck gaiters as masks:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle...story.html

It refers to a prior article citing a study in which Duke University researchers tested single-layer neck gaiters as masks, and recorded more particulate emissions than not wearing anything.

This new article discusses the reactions and additional tests, which seem to show that doubled gaiter fabric is effective, and hypothesizes that the increased particulate emissions in the original study may have included microfiber shedding.

Draw your own conclusions.  Or withhold them pending more info.  Was it Country Joe and the Fish who sang "You can't believe a thing you hear, and less of what they say"?

P.S. Honk if you know who Country Joe and the Fish are :-)

Honk ----
The article out of Duke is an interesting example of the need to look at primary sources not news articles.  The tests they conducted were designed to show an easy way to test mask - they were not intended to actually produce specific results for an individual type of mask. https://medical.mit.edu/covid-19-updates...ck-gaiters.  The Duke scientists were not experts in the field of aerosols and speculated about the results which the media picked up on.

[ericj]

I think the messages have been very clear:

* More than a single layer is better than a single layer.
* Closer fitting it better than loser fitting.

The mask is to protect others from you, not the other way around.

A mask should catch as much of the junk your are spewing out and not turn it into tiny particles that can float in the air for long periods of time.