Repeated coughing seriously degrades face mask efficiency: Study

“Masks decrease droplet accumulation during repeated cough cycles. However, it remains unclear whether large droplets or small ones are more infectious,” said study researcher Talib Dbouk from the University of Nicosia in Cyprus.

For the findings, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, the research team used precise computer models to map out the expected flow patterns of small droplets released when a mask-wearing person coughs repeatedly.

Previous work from this research group showed droplets of saliva can travel 18 feet in five seconds when an unmasked person coughs. This new work used an extended model to consider the effect of face masks and multiple cycles of coughing. The results show masks can reduce airborne droplet transmission.

Read the full article here: Repeated coughing seriously degrades face mask efficiency: Study #107843