Hello -- 1. I Want To Know To What Extent

Posted on Sat, 2 May 2020

Question: Hello --

1. I want to know to what extent can a cloth face mask be effective -- in keeping the wearer free of COVID-19 disease -- if wearer is unable to keep 6 feet of social distance for 20 minutes -- in the presence of an asymptomatic COVID-19 positive person?

2. I want to know to what extent can a surgical face mask be effective -- in keeping the wearer free of COVID-19 disease -- if wearer is unable to keep 6 feet of social distance for 20 minutes -- in the presence of an asymptomatic COVID-19 positive person?

Thank you --

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
the surgical mask is more effective than the cloth mask

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

let me start with this: nobody really knows the risk of contracting covid-19 with either type of protection.
Despite that, we can argue that:
(1) the cloth mask is not considered effective. It may provide some protection because it's going to prevent little droplets of contacting your face but this is not enough for antivirus-protection.
(2) the surgical mask is considered to be effective as long as the infected individual does not cough, sneeze or generally generate infectious droplets and launch them into the air.

The most effective means of protection is avoiding close contact and washing hands all the time. The most effective types of masks are FFP2 and FFP3. The FFP3 is the best you can use besides the most 'professional' full-face reusable masks with filters.

Please let me know if you need more information.

Kind Regards,
Dr Panagiotis Zografakis,
Internal Medicine Specialist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar