Face-masks save us from SARS-CoV-2 transmission
Gholamhossein Bagheri, Birte Thiede, Bardia Hejazi, Oliver Schlenczek,, Eberhard Bodenschatz

TL;DR
This study quantifies how different masks and distancing affect SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk, showing masks significantly reduce infection probability even with leakage, especially FFP2 masks, challenging room model assumptions.
Contribution
It provides a detailed analysis of mask leakage, particle penetration, and infection risk estimates, highlighting the effectiveness of masks like FFP2 in reducing transmission.
Findings
Masks greatly reduce infection risk even with leakage.
Double-sided tape improves FFP2 mask fit and reduces leakage.
Well-fitting masks lower risk by a factor of 60 compared to surgical masks.
Abstract
We present results on the infection risk from SARS-CoV-2 under different scenarios based on measured particle size-dependent mask penetration, measured total inward leakage, measured human aerosol emission for sizes from 10nm to 1mm, and re-hydration on inhalation. Well-mixed room models significantly underestimate the risk of infection for short and direct exposure. To this end, we estimate the upper bound for infection risk with the susceptible in the infectious exhalation cloud or wearing masks by having the masked susceptible inhale the entire exhalation of a masked infectious. Social distances without a mask, even at 3m between speaking individuals results in an upper bound of 90\% for risk of infection after a few minutes. If both wear a surgical mask, the risk of infection for the person speaking remains below 26\% even after 60 minutes. When both the infectious and susceptible…
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Taxonomy
TopicsInfection Control and Ventilation · COVID-19 and healthcare impacts · COVID-19 and Mental Health
