Mosquitoes, chicken wire, COVID-19 and masks

Is wearing a mask to stop the spread of COVID-19 really pointless? Let's take a look at one of the objections in detail.

By now you've probably heard some people say that using a mask to stop COVID-19 is like using a chicken wire fence to keep out mosquitoes. In some respects that’s true. The virus is tiny, 120-160 nanometres in diameter where a nanometre is one billionth of a metre. A top quality medical mask can trap particles as big or bigger than 2.5 micrometers. The virus is about 21 times smaller than that so it seems that it can pass through a mask easily.  HOWEVER it’s not quite so simple.

To remain capable of infecting, the virus must be in droplets of water. When we sneeze, cough, shout, pant, talk or even breath we emit such particles with the smallest being two micrometres in diameter. Each can contain hundreds of viral particles. These droplets would seem to still easily pass through the gaps between the mask fibres. BUT it’s not as simple as that.

The mask fibres carry a small electrical charge and they attract the water droplets. When they touch, they absorb the water and with it the virus. Few viral particles will get through in theory. Those who complain against mask wearing say this is theoretical and no one has proved this.

BUT IT DOESN’T MATTER!

If those against mask wearing are right then what harm will be done? - a slight bit of inconvenience. It would make no difference to the number of people infected.

If those against mask wearing are wrong then what harm will be done? - the disease will spread more and a greater number of people will die.

Wearing the mask is the least risky option. If everyone wears one then there’s a good chance of stopping this virus spreading.