To reduce the novel coronavirus, N-95 masks have been found to be the most effective in keeping the virus at bay. But, as per the study by researchers, including Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which suggests that any mask is better than no mask at preventing Covid-19.

The researchers noted that during coughing and sneezing airborne transmission by respiratory aerosol droplets produced is the supreme mode of spreading for infectious diseases such as Covid-19. Padmanabha Prasanna Simha, from ISRO, and Prasanna Simha Mohan Rao, from the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Karnataka, experimentally visualised the flow fields of coughs under various common mouth covering scenarios.

According to the study published in the journal Physics of Fluids, N95 masks are found to be the most effective at reducing the horizontal spread of a cough. It has also been found that N95 masks reduced a cough’s initial velocity by up to a factor of 10, and limit its spread to between 0.1 and 0.25 meters, the researchers said.

An uncovered cough, in comparison, has the capability to travel up to three metres, but even a simple disposable mask has the capability to bring all the way down to 0.5 metres, they said.
Simha and Rao hoping that their research will put an end to the argument that regular cloth masks are ineffective, but it has also been emphasized by them that mask must continue to be used in addition to social distancing.