How Do Face Masks Control the Spread of Disease?

Face masks have long been used for various reasons in health care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they have become a critical form of personal protection for many people—from doctors to ordinary people out for a walk. But can face masks really protect against the spread of infectious respiratory diseases, like SARS and COVID-19?

Can Medical Face Masks Prevent Viral Infections?

How Face Masks Can Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Evidence Shows Masks Really Do Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 and Lower Infection Risk

Do face masks stop spread of coronavirus?

Efficacy of masks and face coverings in controlling outward aerosol particle emission from expiratory activities

One More Reason to Wear a Mask: You'll Get Less Sick From COVID-19

Physical distancing, face masks, and eye protection to prevent person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis - The Lancet

Face Masks and Hearing Loss: Challenges and Solutions - Hebert Dental

Effect of Wearing Face Masks on the Carbon Dioxide Concentration in the Breathing Zone - Aerosol and Air Quality Research

COMMENTARY: What can masks do? Part 1: The science behind COVID-19 protection

A face mask isn't sure protection from coronavirus, but it may be worthwhile — along with these self-defense measures