As over 20 million across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, scientists from Duke University took a look at face masks to see which ones work best in slowing the spread of coronavirus.

In their study, they looked at 14 masks including N-95s, N-95s with valves and surgical masks to see how effective each was in keeping droplets from getting out.

MORE: Face masks with filters add another layer of protection, experts say

“It was mainly focused on the technique, a simple technique to visualize these droplet emissions and the effects of masks,” said Dr. Martin Fisher, an associate research professor from Duke University.

 

Pictures of face masks under investigation. Duke University tested 14 different face masks or mask alternatives and one mask material (not shown).

Pictures of face masks under investigation. Duke University tested 14 different face masks or mask alternatives and one mask material (not shown).Emma Fischer/Duke University

While they found that not all masks are created equal, the experiment confirmed that most face covers cut down the transmission of those droplets.

Editor's Picks

 

Face masks vs. face shields: What should we be wearing?

Right now, the CDC says the blue surgical masks and the white N95 respirators are in "critical supply," and should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders. The CDC has guidance on its website on how to make your own mask at home to stop the spread of coronavirus.

 

Face masks have posed communication barriers for the 48 million Americans in the hearing loss community who rely on lip-reading.

According to the Duke experiment, here is a ranking of the six most commonly used masks among the 14 masks researchers tested.

Fitted N95 masks

 

Various N95 respiration masks at a laboratory of 3M, which has been contracted by the U.S. government to produce extra masks in response to the country's novel coronavirus outbreak, in Maplewood,...

Duke University researchers found that fitted N95 masks, which have a sealed fit around the wearer’s mouth protects the wearer and others around them well.

MORE: No surgical or N95 mask? Wear DIY face cover during coronavirus outbreak: CDC

Surgical masks

According to the study, disposable surgical masks (nonwoven, 3-layer) may seem flimsy, but they are engineered to catch droplets. Doctors say that if you want to be extra safe, add a face shield on top of the surgical mask, which is what they do when they aren’t dealing with a high risk COVID case.

A face shield should never be used to replace a mask.

Cotton/polyester masks

Researchers found that cotton and polyester masks are a hit or miss. While wearing one will protect you, experts say that more layers are generally better, especially if they are a combination of different materials in different layers (cotton/polypro blend). And what’s really important is how well it fits and whether there are big gaps.

Valved masks

Last week, valved masks were banned from several airlines, and rightfully so. According to the study, researchers found that valved masks allowed droplets to escape through the valve.

“It protects you, the wearer, but it doesn’t protect other people if by chance you have the disease and you don’t know, ” said Dr. Eric Westman, an associate professor of medicine at Duke University. “We were very surprised to see how many particles came out of the valve.”

Bandanas

 

A man wearing a bandana as a face covering walks a dog during the coronavirus pandemic, April 28, 2020, in New York.

A man wearing a bandana as a face covering walks a dog during the coronavirus pandemic, April 28, 2020, in New York.Cindy Ord/Getty Images

While many have been using bandanas as a face mask alternative, researchers found that it offers very little protection.

MORE: Make a bandana face mask in under 1 minute with just two materials

Neck gaiters

 

A demonstrator covers his face with a neck gaiter as he takes part in a demonstration against the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis, on May 20, 2020, in Alcorcon, near Madrid.

A demonstrator covers his face with a neck gaiter as he takes part in a demonstration against the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis, on May 20, 2020, in Alcorcon, near Madrid.Javier Soriano/AFP via Getty Images

Just like bandanas, these popular and fashionable face coverings among runners prior to the pandemic, don’t provide much protection.

Gaiters, which are known for being made of fleece, were found to release a lot of little particles from the wearer and created more tiny droplets than speaking without a mask.

“This mask breaking down big droplets into you, multiple little droplets,” said Fisher. “These little droplets could be problematic because they have an easier time being carried away by air. So they might travel for the distance as opposed to just dropping down to the floor. So this was problematic.”

So what’s important to think about when picking a mask? Experts say the key is to pick one that you will wear -- one that fits snugly and one that you will keep on and not fidget with. Above all, they say that any mask is better than no mask.

---

---