Do medical masks protect against viruses?

People wearing medical masks are increasingly seen on the streets - especially during exacerbations of seasonal allergies, epidemics and in cities with poor air quality. According to media reports, they are now actively used in China to prevent the spread coronavirus. But is it so effective? The opinion of different virologists on this matter differs.

Jonathon Ball, professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, is of the opinion that medical masks can protect against influenza just as well as special respirators. His position is confirmed by the recent studyconducted by American scientists in a clinical setting.

But Ball notes that for most people, the effect may be less pronounced - not everyone has the opportunity to constantly wear a mask throughout the day and update it regularly.

Dr. Connor Bamford of the Institute of Experimental Medicine at Queens University believes that simply following basic hygiene practices is more effective than wearing a mask. “Covering your mouth when you sneeze, washing your hands regularly, and not touching your mouth with unwashed hands will greatly reduce your risk of contracting the respiratory virus.”

Dr. Jack Dunning, head of Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses at PHE, the UK health authority, notes: “Although wearing masks is believed to be beneficial for disease prevention, there is currently insufficient evidence of their benefits outside of clinical conditions ". He added that masks can only be useful if worn correctly and changed regularly. Dr. Dunning also advises taking care not of masks first, but of personal hygiene.