Scientists tested the effectiveness of medical masks against viruses

Scientists have tested the effectiveness of medical masks against viruses. For the experiment they gathered people

infected with different types of viruses, and asked them to breathe, speak and cough into a special device.

This device measures the number of viral particles inexhaled air. To evaluate the effectiveness of the masks, subjects were divided into two groups: some wearing personal protective equipment and others without.

A total of 111 people infected with various respiratory infections were selected. 54 people were infected with rhinovirus, 43 with influenza, 17 with seasonal coronavirus, a “relative” of the new SARS-CoV-2.

As it turned out, the effectiveness of the masks was differentfor various types of viruses. For example, they were useless against rhinoviruses. In the case of the flu, the masks only helped to prevent drip transmission. For coronavirus, the results turned out to be the best - masks reduced the spread of the virus by both drip and aerosol routes.