Life And Society

Covid-19: How do masks work?

06:50 am on 13 August 2020

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Face masks are suddenly a very real part of life for New Zealanders, who haven't donned them en masse since the pandemic began.

But the official guidance now says we should be using them in certain situations - if we can.

So, what sort of mask is best for the average person?

New research out of the United States has found that some masks are extremely effective at slowing the spreading of the virus via droplets, but the use of some types of mask can be worse than wearing no mask at all.

Dr Warren S Warren from Duke University speaks to Kim Hill from Durham, North Carolina.