A researcher at Waterloo Engineering whose recent work on the effectiveness of masks and ventilation in preventing the spread of COVID-19 indoors received widespread media coverage is stressing that any mask is better than no mask.
A question-and-answer media release with Serhiy Yarusevich, a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering, was issued after his study with fellow professor Sean Peterson and engineering PhD students Yash Shan and John Kurelek was misrepresented by many media outlets as part of the politicization of mask usage.
The study looked at how well various masks and ventilation systems prevent the buildup of aerosol droplets - one way the virus is transmitted - in indoor settings over time.
Go to Q and A with the experts: Why any mask is better than no mask for the full release.