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The Mayo Clinic says a study it has conducted on the effectiveness of face masks shows how “critically important” they are in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
The Rochester Health System released unpublished data from a study it conducted that used mannequins to measure respiratory droplet exposure at varying distances, with or without a mask.
Among the results regarding social distancing, there is that “three feet is useful but a six foot separation reduces the number of particles to levels near the baseline.”
He also tested how effectively the masks block the number of aerosol particles from a masked source, with respiratory droplets being the primary means of transmission of the virus.
He finds that there is a 100% risk of exposure when two unmasked people are one foot apart, which drops to 17% at three feet and 3% at six feet.
However, when both are masked, the risk of exposure decreases to less than 0.5% even when two people are only one foot apart.
“We have found that the most important measure to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is to wear a mask,” said Matthew Callstrom, MD, Ph.D., director of the Mayo Department of Radiology, in a statement Press.
“We found that both disposable paper medical masks and two-layer cloth masks were effective in reducing droplet transmission and we did not find a difference between the types of masks in terms of the degree of particle blocking. aerosol emitted by the wearer. “
The Mayo found that in addition to wearing a mask and social distancing, other effective measures to reduce the risk of transmission include frequent hand washing, the use of hand sanitizer before and after meals, and after the removal of masks, and compliance with ‘the capacity of rooms displayed in high-traffic areas. “
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“I think we had some knowledge about the importance of masks and there have been a number of studies that have shown that masks are effective at blocking viruses, but what’s really important here is where ‘Effectiveness of masking when performed by both parties,’ said Dr. Elie Berbari, MD, chairman of the Mayo Department of Infectious Diseases.
The Mayo says additional measures to reduce the risk of transmission include frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer before and after meals, and after removing masks, and respecting room capabilities. posted in high traffic areas.
“We have objectively found that masks are critically important in protecting you and the people around you,” added Dr. Callstrom. “If you wear a mask, you protect others. If they wear masks, they protect you.”
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