In this type of pandemic, a mask is a necessity. The leading question is whether cloth masks can actually help prevent disease. The researchers used one layer of a tightly woven cotton sheet combined with two layers of polyester-spandex chiffon. Thi new thing filtered out the most aerosol particles (80-99%, depending on particle size), with performance close to that of N95 mask material.
Substituting the chiffon with natural silk or flannel, or simply using a cotton quilt with cotton-polyester batting, produced similar results.
