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| - Last Updated on October 13, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
A social media post claims that Surgical-style masks DON’T prevent RESPIRATORY viruses from clinging to tiny particles and circulating into the air. We fact checked and found this to be Half-true.
The Claim
Dr. Nan Hayworth, a former New York representative, claims that “I’m a surgeon. Surgical-style masks keep droplets containing bacteria from falling from one’s nose or mouth onto a surgical field. They do that.” “They DON’T prevent RESPIRATORY viruses from clinging to tiny particles and circulating into the air. Stop the madness!” The social media post can be found here and a screenshot is attached below.
Fact Check
How does Covid-19 spread?
COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. In some circumstances, they may contaminate surfaces they touch. People who are closer than 6 feet from the infected person are most likely to get infected.
The viruses are released as part of tiny respiratory particles (aerosols) when we breathe, talk, sing, and cough and do not need to take the additional step of ‘clinging’ to anything. These respiratory aerosols are a mixture of water, salts, proteins, other components of respiratory fluid, and potentially viruses if the person is infected. Viruses are not released naked into the air.
Do surgical masks provide complete protection from Covid?
No. Surgical masks provide partial protection against viral transmissions. They lower the chances of transmission but they do not eliminate it.
Surgical masks are primarily intended to block large droplets. However, experts say they still provide some protection, which is better than none in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A study published in the journal Science Advances determined that the fitted N95 mask is the best option for keeping out COVID-19, followed by the surgical mask.
While assessing the effectiveness of surgical masks, it’s also important to consider the timing and context of new variants, such as Omicron, which may influence public health guidelines and mask-wearing practices.
How effective are surgical masks against Covid?
CDC states that the masks should be used by the general public and healthcare personnel to help reduce spread.
A study published in Oxford Academic’s Clinical Infectious Diseases journal found that surgical masks reduce viral shedding in aerosols from COVID-19 patients by 48% to 77%. Another study, published in the American Society for Microbiology Journals in October 2020, determined surgical masks reduce the amount of COVID-19 inhaled by the mask-wearer by about 50%.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration state that surgical masks are generally meant to help protect against large droplets, splashes or sprays of possibly germy fluid.
Do Surgical masks prevent respiratory viruses from clinging to air particles and circulating?
Not completely. Even though surgical masks reduce viral shedding in aerosols , they cannot eliminate the spread completely. Their weakness is that they are loose-fitting and do not seal to the face, so things can leak in and out of the gaps around the sides. Hence, the claim is half-true and even though they are not eliminating chances to catch Covid completely, they still are reducing the chance. Hence, must be worn to stay safe.
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