Why I wear a mask indoors and out

Masks reduce droplet spread

In the hope that it protects other families from similar trauma, I wear a mask in public—indoors and outside—as well as physically distancing, avoiding crowds, and washing my hands regularly.

A face covering does not directly protect wearers from covid-19, because droplets containing the virus can pass through any gaps between the mask and the face. However, modelling suggests that droplets may travel an average of five feet with face covering but 12-30 feet when masks are not worn.3 This is why physical distancing matters.

When an infected person is not wearing a mask, the virus can remain for many hours in floating aerosols.3 Some people argue that community masks are powerless against aerosols.4 Evidence shows, however, that masks prevent most viral particles from escaping.4

As many as 40% of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 have no symptoms.5 But when we run, talk, cough, or sneeze, respiratory droplets are released into the air.3 This is why I wear a mask even outside, wherever people might follow me—for example, in the parking lot, on a city street, or in a queue. Regular mask wearing both inside and outside can help us protect each other by reducing spread at the source, even when we don’t know that we’re infected.

On the basis of our studies,6 the World Health Organization now recommends a cloth mask of at least three layers of different materials. The outermost layer can be a polyester-cotton mix that is slightly water resistant so that droplets won’t wick in. The middle layer can be polypropylene or three ply disposable facial tissues. Finally, the innermost layer might be a non-irritating soft cotton to wick moisture away from the face.

The best masks fit snugly but comfortably and cover mid-nose to under the chin and almost to the ears. Moving or talking should not produce gaps or bulges. Breathing and talking should be effort-free.6

We found that some materials were as effective as a surgical mask if charged with static electricity6: rub the clean mask with latex gloves or a plastic bag for 30 seconds before use. A similar approach is used in constructing medical protective equipment such as N95 respirators. Overall, charging masks in this way can increase their efficiency by as much as 30%, and the effect can last for several hours.6

Treat it like your toothbrush

Treat your mask like your toothbrush. Don’t share it with anyone, and keep it in a zipped plastic bag when not in use. When you remove it, do so in a way that doesn’t spread germs from the front of the mask to your face, and wash your hands after touching the mask. Your mask does not need bleach or harsh chemicals, as these can be breathed into the lungs and cause harm. The mask can be simply laundered with warm water and soap to safely kill SARS-CoV-2.7

During the pandemic the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and mass media have reported international shortages of personal protective equipment, including masks. If everyone wore a face mask in public, what might it accomplish? Hong Kong and New Zealand employed strong public health support to implement mandatory face masks, indoors and outdoors, and physical distancing. They were more successful than others at reducing viral spread.8

Wearing a mask doesn’t mean that you are weak or cowardly. It’s a way to protect vulnerable people around you. I am vaccinated, yet I wear a mask whether I’m inside or outside, in solidarity with people who are still vulnerable.