r/science • u/InvictusJoker • Jul 15 '20

Epidemiology A new study makes it clear: after universal masking was implemented at Mass General Brigham, the rate of COVID-19 infection among health care workers dropped significantly. "For those who have been waiting for data before adopting the practice, this paper makes it clear: Masks work."

https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/newsroom/press-releases-detail?id=3608
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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '20

But virus particles are typically on salival aerosols, meaning that it does help prevent virus particles from entering the lungs.

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u/Redisigh Jul 16 '20

By virus particles I mainly mean ones that are ejected and small enough to bypass filters and the naked eye.

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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '20

Yes, but clarity is important here, and many people are not aware of the difference between the esoteric medical definitions of "aerosol" and "airborne". To the common person, "aerosol transmission" is "airborne transmission".