As COVID-19 cases increase across the country, more states and cities are releasing mask guidelines to help slow the spread of the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of cloth face coverings, and more than 20 states have mask requirements in place.
Still, many people question whether face masks provide adequate protection from the coronavirus. As schools reopen and require students to wear face coverings, they may also question the importance of wearing a mask while in the classroom.
To help settle the debate, William Sanford Nye, popularly known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, took to social media to demonstrate how masks can protect others from COVID-19 and potentially save lives.
Wearing a mask to protect yourself and others against respiratory infections is not a new concept. Masks and respirators are commonly used by healthcare workers, sick patients, and well community members to protect others from contracting an infection.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that is spread from person to person, typically through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking. Various studies have confirmed that wearing a face mask—in addition to social distancing, proper handwashing and other procedures—can help stop the spread of the virus.
The CDC recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings, but people are using a variety of masks to cover their faces. In this experiment, you will test three different face masks: surgical, cloth, and a bandana/handkerchief. The experiment will help you to demonstrate whether the material can effectively block particles from your respiratory system from escaping into the air. (Note: This experiment requires adult supervision.)
Many schools and after-school programs are opening or have already opened, and students are often required to wear masks. This experiment can help you demonstrate the importance of face coverings and how the right mask can help protect them from the COVID-19 disease.