Face Coverings Content

Face Masks Block Expired Particles, Despite Leakage

Andy Fell — June 08, 2021 - 8:00am

A new study from the University of California, Davis, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai confirms that surgical masks effectively reduce outgoing airborne particles from talking or coughing, even after allowing for leakage around the edges of the mask. The results are published June 8 in Scientific Reports.

Comparing Face Coverings in Controlling Expired Particles

Andy Fell — September 24, 2020 - 8:00am

Laboratory tests of surgical and N95 masks by researchers at the University of California, Davis, show that they do cut down the amount of aerosolized particles emitted during breathing, talking and coughing. Tests of homemade cloth face coverings, however, show that the fabric itself releases a large amount of fibers into the air, underscoring the importance of washing them. The work is published today (Sept. 24) in Scientific Reports.

Why Masks? To Protect Your Community

Dave Jones — June 23, 2020 - 6:06pm

As COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions ease and more businesses, bars and restaurants open, health experts and state officials are also seeing more confusion, disdain and even hostility toward wearing masks.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom reacted last Thursday (June 18) by issuing an order requiring Californians to wear face coverings in “high-risk” settings that include any indoor public space, lines to enter those spaces and any setting where 6-foot social distancing is not feasible. (Yolo County has mandated face coverings since April 24.)