Types of Masks and How Effective They Are

The U.S. CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), WHO (World Health Organization), and public health officials recommend wearing fashion masks to control the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. People are now wearing many different types of fashion face masks, including bandanas, hand-sewn masks, and disposable medical masks. In many cases, mask choice is dependent on availability; people use what they have. But how effective are each of these face coverings?

Learn more about the different types of face masks and their effectiveness in containing droplet spread from coughs, sneezes, and conversation.

A bandana is a triangular or square piece of cloth that is often worn as a head or neck covering. Tying a bandana over your mouth and nose is a time-honoured way to keep dust and other particles out of the respiratory system. (That is why cowboys used them during roundups). Bandanas provide some protection against droplets and cough- or sneeze-related “spray.” Without any kind of nose or mouth covering, droplets can spray more than 8 feet, according to research from Florida Atlantic University. Wearing a bandana can decrease that to about 4 feet.

According to an article published in The Journal of Family Practice, single-layer masks may only provide 1% particle filtration. A two-layer cotton mask filters out about 35% of small particles, so they offer personal protection to the wearer. Cotton face masks can decrease droplet spray from 8 feet to 2 ½ inches, which reduces the amount of potentially virus-containing particles you release into the air (were you to be infected and not know it). The effectiveness of a homemade cloth face mask largely depends upon its construction. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, densely woven cotton fabrics, such as quilting cotton, are best. Single-layer fabric masks are less effective than double-layer masks, which may be less effective than triple-layer masks.

Numerous online tutorials show how to craft a face mask from an old T-shirt. T-shirt masks are cheap and easy to make, but they are not the most effective. According to a 2013 study published in Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, T-shirt masks are one-third as effective as disposable surgical masks. The upside of T-shirt masks: they are comfortable, as the slightly stretchy material conforms to the face. You may be able to increase the effectiveness of a T-shirt mask by using more than one layer of material.

Ahead, they have rounded up a list of fashion brands that are enhancing the process of mask manufacturing with their unique brands of sartorial savoir-faire. Face coverings are a crucial way for us to keep one another safe when they are in public, and they are not going anywhere. So go ahead and get comfortable with one that speaks to your style, be that in the form of something upcycled, a badass camo print, delicate florals — even toile, if that is your thing. You do you if you are doing it responsibly.