New research out of the University of Georgia has revealed that neck gaiters—tubes of performance fabric generally used for running and exercising outdoors—do, in fact, provide a level of protection against the novel coronavirus that is equivalent to regular masks when used as a face covering.

For the study, which has not yet been published, the researchers used a 3D-printed box that was designed to reduce air particles, a Class 1000 clean room, and a laser. Subjects were made to wear several different top-selling cloth face masks and neck gaiters and were directed to say “Stay healthy people” five times into each of the materials. The ejected droplets were then monitored and gauged by a computer algorithm over a forty-second period.

After testing each face-covering three times, what the researchers discovered was quite surprising. One-layer gaiters showed a 77-percent average reduction in respiratory droplets compared to no mask, two-layer face masks provided an 81-percent drop, and gaiters that boasted two or three layers (polyester and spandex) offered a 96-percent decrease in droplets.

Neck gaiters first came under heavy scrutiny after a Duke University study in August seemed to suggest that they offered basically zero protection against the novel coronavirus and even had the potential to spread the contagion further.

“Per CDC guidelines, using face covers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is of the utmost importance,” Suraj Sharma, a University of Georgia professor and lead author of the study, said in a news release.

“However, recent media reports have questioned the effectiveness of gaiters as face covers. In sum, the level of protection provided by a face covering appears to be substantially driven by the number and quality of layers of material and not whether it’s in the form of a gaiter or a mask.”

In the Duke study, N95 respirators with no valves garnered the highest score in the study, but medical experts have noted that these devices are in short supply nationwide and should be reserved for frontline health-care workers.

A disposable surgical mask made from polypropylene was the next-best option, followed by one made from two layers of cotton and one layer of synthetic material.

The CDC has also released guidance that advises people not to wear face masks with vents or exhalation valves.

“Masks with one-way valves or vents allow exhaled air to be expelled out through holes in the material,” the CDC wrote on its website. “This can allow exhaled respiratory droplets to reach others and potentially spread the COVID-19 virus.”

Ethen Kim Lieser is a Minneapolis-based Science and Tech Editor who has held posts at Google, The Korea Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, AsianWeek, and Arirang TV. Follow or contact him on LinkedIn. 

Image: Reuters