A team of researchers have found that well-fitting, three-layered cloth masks can be as effective at reducing the transmission of Covid-19 as surgical masks.
The team from the Universities of Bristol and Surrey found that under ideal conditions and dependent on the fit, three-layered cloth masks can perform similarly to surgical masks for filtering droplets -- with both reducing exposure by around 50 to 75 per cent.
For example, if an infected person and a healthy individual are both wearing masks, scientists believe this could result in up to 94 per cent less exposure, showed the findings published in the journal Physics of Fluids.
"While wearing a simple and relatively inexpensive cloth face mask cannot eliminate the risk of contracting Covid-19, measurements and our theoretical model suggests they are highly effective in reducing transmission," Richard Sear from the University of Surrey, said.
"We hope that our work inspires mask designs to be optimised in the future and we hope it helps to remind people of the importance of continuing to wear masks while Covid-19 remains present in the community," he added.
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, 139 countries mandated the use of face coverings in public space such as supermarkets and public transports. The World Health Organization also advises the use of face coverings and offers guidance on their effective features. Face coverings suppress the onward transmission of Covid-19 through exhalation and protect the wearer on inhalation.
To better understand, the team looked at how liquid droplets are captured and filtered out in cloth masks by reviewing and modelling filtration processes, including inertial impaction.
Inertial impaction does not filter as a sieve or colander does -- it works by forcing the air in your breath to twist and turn inside the mask so much that the droplets can't follow the path of the air. Instead, the droplets crash into fibres inside the mask to prevent inhalation, the team explained.
Drugs valued at Rs 105 crore seized in Assam; 3 arrested
The Assam Police have seized drugs valued at Rs 105 crore along the inter-state border with Mizoram in Cachar district, an official said on Sunday, adding three persons were also arrested in this connection.
Human trafficking suspect wanted by NIA arrested in Tripura
The Tripura Police on Sunday arrested a human trafficking suspect who was on the 'wanted list' of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), an official said.
PM Modi 'deeply concerned' at Iran President's helicopter incidentv
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his "deep concern" at Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter going missing after making a "hard landing" and prayed for his well-being.
PM Modi says 'this is Bharat's moment'; urges youth to 'dream big'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining the importance of ‘thinking big and thinking ahead of time’, on Sunday said that this is Bharat’s moment and we must not lose it.
Indian stock markets will break all records on June 4: PM Modi
Once the Lok Sabha election results are declared on June 4, the Indian stock markets will break all previous records, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.
AAP on streets to save accused, says Swati Maliwal
AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal on Sunday while reflecting on the past 12 years since the horrific Nirbhaya case, said that 'they are now out on the streets to save the accused who made the CCTV footage disappear and formatted the phone'.
Captain Gopichand, five others set to fly to edge of space aboard Blue Origin mission
Captain Gopichand Thotakura, along with five others, is set to fly to the edge of space on Blue Origin's crewed flight mission on Sunday evening.
Air India Express flight's engine catches fire, makes emergency landing
The Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Kochi had to make a full-scale emergency landing at Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) due to a fire in one of its engines.