Pandemic could be ‘eradicated’ if 70% of people wore surgical masks, researchers say

In a new study on the use of masks published by the American Institute of Physics, researchers found that if 70% of people wore surgical masks, the pandemic would be “eradicated.”

According to the article, published on Tuesday, investigators from the engineering department of the National University of Singapore examined studies of N95s, surgical masks and fabric masks to see how the design, material and capacity of the mask to protect people the virus, was.

Authors Sanjay Kumar and Heow Pueh Lee found that if 70% of people consistently wear surgical masks in public, the pandemic could be eradicated. Even cloth masks, which they found to be 30% effective, could lead to a “significant reduction in the burden of COVID-19”.

The researchers analyzed that wearing masks reduced the size of the droplets of liquid expelled from the nose and mouth, spreading the virus in the air. Investigators said small droplets traveled a greater distance and were in the air longer because they formed into an aerosol.

According to the article, the researchers found that N95s filter aerosol-sized droplets, and masks made with hybrid polymer materials effectively filter particles while simultaneously cooling the face.