Can fabric masks stem the coronavirus’ spread?
People across the United States are donning homemade masks in an effort to curb transmission of the coronavirus. But there isn’t enough data to know for sure whether such cloth masks will prevent an infected person from spreading the virus to someone else, experts say. In the face of evidence that the coronavirus may spread by talking and breathing, on top of coughing or sneezing, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended April 3 that people cover their faces with cloth or fabric when going out in public (SN: 4/2/20). Cloth may cut down on some large respiratory droplets from a cough or sneeze, but it’s unclear whether it will also catch smaller droplets called aerosols that are released by just breathing or talking. Cloth masks, as well as surgical masks, are designed to protect others from virus spread by the mask wearer, not the other way around. Those infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can transmit it to others before they...