A study done by researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science tests the effectiveness of masks and social distancing with cough simulations depicting how droplets can travel.
They explain how a face mask captures the larger droplets in a cough and mitigates the forward projection of the small germ-carrying droplets to a varying degree. They recorded multiple demonstrations which show how far or fast the droplets may follow based on the material of the mask and whether the model is wearing one.
An interesting finding shows that with a homemade bandana mask, droplets tend to travel further and faster, almost as if no mask is being worn. Well-fitted homemade masks with multiple layers of quilting fabric and cone masks proved the most effective. It was also found that droplets travelled further than 6 feet, up to 12 feet without a mask.
To read more about the findings of this study, visit http://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/efficacy-facemasks-coronavirus.php.