This is something I’ve heard a lot, and assuming it’s true, what’s the science behind it? Surely holes in masks are the same size no matter whether the germs are heading in or out, but I’m guessing it’s not about the holes and I’m missing something.
Obligatory disclaimer: I’m not an anti-masker, I’m still wearing it in shops for example. This is just me wanting to understand.
In: Biology
When you breathe out your breath also contains a lot of water vapour, bacteria and viruses can “piggyback” on the water vapour and travel substantial distances, breathing out can trap the water and also trap any infections carried by the water. This form of water vapour breathed upon someone can be prevented from being breathed in directly from another person, but the mask doesn’t stop that water vapour from hitting the rest of your face, your hands or some other part of your body and later being transferred into your body which is why washing your hands regularly is a good idea.
Not all masks are the same. The n95, respirators, and similar high-quality masks are all capable of helping prevent germs from being inhaled or exhaled, whereas the basic cloth masks pretty much only stop the exhalation, because they aren’t as closely fitted to the face. So you don’t blast a huge cloud of particles with breathing or coughs, but you can still inhale anything that is airborne with the cloth masks. N95s and respirators have to be fitted to your face, and seal more closely than the cloth.
The flat masks that the majority of people wear are designed to simply stop us from projecting all of our germs on everyone else. Instead of blowing out a large plume of respiratory particles we just have small cloud around our faces. Air is still able to flow around our masks and thus we can still breathe in what is in the air around us. A respirator or n-95 type dust mask needs to be fitted, and when worn correctly will filter particles from the air. This will effectively reduce infection rates.
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The mask stops tiny spit and cough particles from going out of your face. Not entirely, but it helps reduce it by a lot. you are more likely to catch germs through touching stuff with your hands. Unless you rub your face on things in public..
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