Neck Gaiters Aren't Worse Than No Mask for COVID-19
The Claim
A new study put out by Duke University claims that that neck gaiters are worse than wearing no mask at all to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
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Emerging story
In August 2020, a study published in Science Advances showed the efficacy of certain face coverings in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. This claim was picked up in the Washington Post and other publications and subsequently went viral on social media, specifically Twitter.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation shows that the claim is false, and a result of misidentifying the findings from the study. While a number of media outlets, such as the Washington Post, highlighted research from the study, the results were actually misreported. The research, which came from Duke University, looked to determine the best methods for testing how to evaluate 14 types of face coverings, not to determine which one was ineffective. The researchers used optical imaging to show the differences in the effectiveness of different masks and mask alternatives that could help limit the spread of respiratory droplets, which are known to contain SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and can transmit when people are speaking.
The study actually concluded that analyzing respiratory droplets from analyzed face coverings is an easy way to test their effectiveness; however, determining the efficacy of the particular type of masks would require further research.
The study’s author says that the news reports which said that neck gaiters were ineffective is a result of misrepresenting the information determined.
