Medical Masks Are Not Ineffectual Due to Farting

3rd August 2020

Medical Masks Are Not Ineffectual Due to Farting

there’s been no indication that the viruses can be transmitted through stool (Getty Images)

The Claim

Wearing a medical mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is unnecessary because the disease can also be spread via farts.

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Emerging story

This late July and early August 2020, many claims have been made on social media, specifically Twitter, that COVID-19 can spread through farts and thus that wearing a mask is ineffectual, since farts can penetrate through genes and thus viruses can surely penetrate through cloth masks.

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar’s investigation into this claim reveals it to be false. While some studies have found COVID viruses in stool samples from patients, there’s been no indication that the viruses can be transmitted through stool, let alone from farting. Furthermore, medical masks have been shown to reduce, albeit not eliminate, the spread of airborne viruses like COVID. As such it is best to wear the mask out of precaution and to stay away from farts for conventional —not medical— reasons.