This, the scientists said, could reduce the number of viral particles by up to seven times more than a loose mask on its own, by sealing the gaps around the nose and mouth.
But recognising the social and physical implications of wearing tights on your face in public, they noted it was ‘unlikely to be tolerated for extended periods’.
The jury is still out on how effective mask-wearing is at reducing COVID-19 infections at a population level, with conflicting results from both sides. Most scientists agree that they at least make a small contribution.
For the latest study, published in the journal PLOS One, Cambridge researchers recruited four volunteers to try seven different mask hacks.
Other methods included tying the ear bands to make the masks fit more tightly, or stuffing the gaps with bandages.
The study looked at both surgical and KN95 masks.
While wearing each mask and hack combination, participants did seven minutes of various exercises designed to mimic real-world interactions.
“Maximizing the protection a mask provides oneself and others rest heavily on improving the fit of the masks. Our results indicate that there is potential for fit hacks to improve the fit of masks, by sealing the edges of the mask or pressing the masks tightly to the face.
“We would recommend that new mask designs should focus on ensuring that the edges of the mask are firmly in contact with the face.
“However, whilst the study does indicate that hacks may be successful, much work remains to be done to create comfortable, effective fit improvements. Many of the most effective fit hacks were so uncomfortable as to be unusable in some cases. Overall, whilst we found that fit hacks did generally improve mask performance, it is difficult to predict the effects for a given individual or face type.
“We hope these results will be of benefit to designers in order that they may improve masks and mask fitting devices, as well as members of the public seeking to improve their own masks. The hacks tested are all accessible to the general public.
“As surgical masks and KN95 masks are commonly worn by healthcare professionals, these findings may assist them to improve the protection they are obtaining from their masks. Further research efforts should seek to validate these findings, test a wider variety of fit hacks and expand the range of masks tested to include fabric face coverings,” the researchers said.
Source: HealthWise
