What is an antiviral mask? Thanks for asking!

Since the turn of the year, the threat of new coronavirus variants has emerged. As a result, many are questioning how effective different types of face covering are against these more contagious strains.

The World Health Organisation has stressed that cloth masks still work just as well, because the mode of transmission is the same, despite the mutation. However, governments in some countries have encouraged people to favour surgical masks or FFP2 masks.

Manufacturers are on a mission to make more efficient face coverings available to the public. Some even claim their products have germ-killing properties which can destroy the coronavirus!

How can a mask kill a virus? Is that really possible?

Remember that the coronavirus doesn’t simply circulate on its own. It’s always carried by something like a drop of saliva. When we wear a face covering of any kind, we mainly protect others from our own droplets.

A standard mask filters the majority of pathogens but can never be 100% successful. Antiviral masks are more proactive in that they don’t just seek to stop viruses and bacteria from penetrating, but to kill it and prevent them from staying on the surface. The best form of defence is attack, as they say!

Some use antimicrobial agents, like proteins, which bind to the virus and stop it from replicating. Others are infused with metals like copper or silver, which are known to have antimicrobial properties.

In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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