Wearing a neck gaiter may be worse than no mask at all, researchers find

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

As the number of novel coronavirus cases continues to rise nationwide, the recurring message from many public health experts and doctors has been simple: Wearing masks saves lives.

“We are not defenseless against covid-19,” Robert R. Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in July. “Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus – particularly when used universally within a community setting.”

But as face coverings have become increasingly commonplace in American life, so have questions about efficacy — and now a group of researchers from Duke University are aiming to provide some answers.

In a recently published study, the researchers unveiled a simple method to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of masks, analyzing more than a dozen different facial coverings ranging from hospital-grade N95 respirators to bandanas. Of the 14 masks and other coverings tested, the study found that some easily accessible cotton cloth masks are about as effective as standard surgical masks, while popular alternatives such as neck gaiters made of thin, stretchy material may be worse than not wearing a mask at all.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/wearing-a-neck-gaiter-may-be-worse-than-no-mask-at-all-researchers-find/ar-BB17Pd9A?li=BBnb7Kz

[jimfields33]

1. I wear a cloth mask. I just hate that they ok'ed something months ago

And now saying oops. Bandannas were definitely something they said was ok.

[cyclonefence]

2. I wear a cloth mask faithfully when I'm out of the house

but the longer I have to keep it on, the tougher it is for me to breathe (COPD). I know the valved masks are no good, but I really need--and I suspect others do, too--a mask that will allow more air into my nose and mouth without letting that extra air escape--a one-way valve, maybe. When I go to the doctor, sometimes the office is down a long hall, and I have to stop at least once to pull the mask out from my face and gulp in some air, always making sure no one is near. Are there better masks for people whose breathing is impaired? My pulmonologist isn't aware of any, but he generally tells people with breathing difficulties to do what I'm doing--wear the mask as long as possible, get some air, put it back up.

[Submariner]

3. I wear the neck gaiter over that standard light blue pleated mask

because its tightness presses the edges of the mask close to the cheeks and nose bridge.

I’d kill for a few of the genuine 3M N95 masks, but nowadays you have to be a medical worker, or a 20 something NBA point guard with a great 3 point shot, or an MLB or NFL player. Veterans with compromised lungs from shipboard asbestos removal don’t get diddly-squat.