Can Wearing A Medical Mask Be Immune To Viruses?

There are a couple different ways viruses such as this one can go around. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they expel respiratory droplets into the air that carry the virus. They can also spread those droplets around if they touch their eyes and nose then touch another person or surface. If someone were to come into contact with these contagious droplets — either in the air or by touching a surface that contained the droplets — they, too, could get sick.
 

There is some evidence that, when used correctly, face masks can slow the spread of airborne viruses. For example, one study from 2008 found that those who used a medical mask were 80% less likely to get the flu. Another 2009 report found that, in tandem with frequent hand-washing, face masks lowered people’s risk of getting the flu by about 70%.
 

But the medical masks aren’t foolproof, and just because you’re wearing one does not mean you’re in the clear.
 

When we look back at the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic that struck in 2003, researchers concluded that medical face masks played some role in slowing down the spread — especially in a hospital setting — but mostly because they prevented sick people from passing SARS around. In fact, most people in Asia wear the medical masks not to avoid getting sick themselves but to protect other people from harmful germs and viruses.
 

The main takeaway here: Masks alone won’t eliminate your risk of contracting the coronavirus. But, they may help.