‘HOME-MADE MASKS ARE EFFECTIVE’

NEWDELHI: Homemade quilted cotton masks are likely more effective than those made from handkerchiefs or even commercially available cone masks to contain the spread of Covid-19, according to a study published in the American Institute of Physics journal.

“The reason is the weaving pattern and the string thickness,” the study’s lead author, Dr Siddhartha Verma, associate professor (ocean and mechanical engineering), Florida Atlantic University, told HT in an email.

“The quilting cotton (most effective) we used had a tightweave with thicker threads, in addition to having two layers stitched together, all of which impeded droplets significantly. One quick test that some people have suggested is to hold up the fabric to a light, and see how well it blocks the light,” Verma added.

The study, which is peer-reviewed and published on June 30, involved simulating a cough through a manikin. For the experiment, Verma and his team covered the manikin’s mouth with four commonly used nonmedical grade masks: a folded handkerchief, a stitched quilted cotton mask, a bandana and a cone mask (a non-medical grade mask available over the counter).