Masks not enough to stop COVID-19's spread without distancing, study finds. Wearing a mask may not be enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19 without social distancing. Researchers tested how different types of mask impacted the spread of droplets that carry the coronavirus when we cough or sneeze. Every material tested dramatically reduced the number of droplets that were spread. But at distances of less than 6 feet, enough droplets to potentially cause illness still made it through several of the materials. Source 2j.
COVID-19 mask study finds layering, material choice matter. Researchers report results of a COVID-19 mask study showing which materials had the greatest filtration efficiency. The findings underscore the critical importance of layering and universal mask wearing to protect people from exposure. Source 1k.
What’s the science behind CDC’s decision to say fully vaccinated people don’t need masks? A fresh batch of data from a big study of health care workers across the country helped prompt the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to say fully vaccinated people can go without masks in most circumstances, the agency said Friday. The study found that real-life use of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines provided Source 3d.
With time and without masks, COVID-19 vaccines wane in protection, study finds. A study of highly vaccinated health workers found that the more contagious delta variant, combined with the masking mandate end, was associated with increased breakthrough cases, paralleling exponential rise of COVID-19 infections in the San Diego community. Source 9f.
Face masks cut distance airborne pathogens could travel in half, new study finds. The effectiveness of face masks has been a hotly debated topic since the emergence of COVID-19. However, a new study offers more evidence that they work. Researchers found that face masks reduce the distance airborne pathogens could travel, when speaking or coughing, by more than half compared to not wearing a mask. Source 6a.