Homemade Face Masks Work Best With Multiple Layers, Study Finds

Homemade face masks should ideally be made from multiple layers of fabric to trap the viral-laden droplets from the nose and mouth associated with the spread of Covid-19, a study found.

Scientists in Australia compared the effectiveness of single and double-layer cloth face coverings with a surgical mask. Using a tailored LED lighting system and high-speed video camera, they showed a single layer reduced the spread of droplets from speaking, but less than a double layer.

A double layer was also “significantly better” at reducing the droplet spread caused by coughing and sneezing, though a three-ply surgical mask was the ...