New research confirms that masks differ greatly in their protection from the spread of... [+] COVID-19.

Passengers booking flights need to be prepared to wear masks from stepping into the airport to the entire flight. With the proliferation of COVID-19 highly contagious Delta variants, it is wise to wear the mask that best protects them and others from the virus. 

Now all public transportation and transportation hubs (such as airports) need to wear masks. The US federal authorization first announced in January 2020 has been extended to January 18, 2022, regardless of the traveler's vaccination status.

Want to know which type of mask can guarantee your safety?

A new study by engineering researchers at the University of Waterloo (Ontario) confirms the conventional wisdom: not all masks provide the same protection. 

Canadian researchers used a human body model to simulate a person sitting in a large room breathing, and found that although cloth and blue surgical masks provide valuable protection, they still allow a large amount of exhaled droplets to spread in the air and pass through the mask.

In a paper published in the journal Fluid Physics, the researchers concluded that, compared with the more common ones, high-efficiency masks such as KN95 have a much higher filtration efficiency for exhaled tiny aerosols (R95 and KN95). Masks are 60% and 46% respectively). Used cloth (10%) and surgical masks (12%) make them the recommended choice for alleviating indoor airborne diseases.

The lead author of the study, Professor Serhiy Yarusevych, said: “There is no doubt that wearing any face mask is beneficial. It can provide protection at close distances or far away in the room.” “However, in terms of controlling aerosols, it is different. There are serious differences in the effectiveness of masks." 

Airplanes may be well ventilated, but they are not always able to withstand the distance between passengers.

Do the results of the study apply to the passengers on the plane? 

In an email interview, Dr. Yarusevych pointed out that aircraft usually have relatively high-capacity ventilation systems. While this should provide some assurance for travelers, he went on to say that the recommended social distancing measures (6 feet or arm length recommended by CDC) are generally not followed on flights.

“Therefore, because of the direct proximity to other people, it is of course strongly recommended to use higher-grade masks,” he said. "In order to minimize the risk of infection, people will want to use better masks and higher-capacity ventilation equipment. From this perspective, replacing homemade masks with better masks is usually the least effective in controlling aerosols. The face mask will definitely reduce the overall risk of infection on board."

"According to our research, the N95 mask provides the highest protection, followed by the KN95 mask," he added. Cloth masks can only filter 10% of the small droplets that are exhaled; most of these aerosols escape because the mask is not suitable, mainly through the top of the mask.

A recent article published in the industry news publication TravelPulse.com reported that some airlines, especially international airlines, have begun to ban the use of fabric masks. 

However, airline mask requirements vary by carrier and destination. Like most COVID-19 public health measures, they may change based on emerging scientific findings and fluctuations in infection rates.

Some examples of current mask policies (posted on the respective airline websites) are as follows:

Acceptable masks include a face mask or two layers of safety cloth, which can completely cover the nose and mouth of the passenger, and fit the sides of the face and under the chin. 

Delta also allows the use of tightly woven cloth masks and cloth masks with transparent plastic windows.

Finnair tweeted a new policy banning the use of fabric masks earlier this week. Airlines allow the use of surgical masks and stronger FFP2 or FFP3 respirator masks (without valves).

According to German federal and state legislation, Lufthansa requires passengers to wear medical protective masks when boarding, flying and leaving the aircraft. Acceptable masks include standard surgical masks or FFP2 masks/KN95/n95 masks with KN95/N95. If the flight crew or ground staff and external service providers cannot distinguish between surgical masks and cloth masks, they will insist that customers switch to medical masks. If possible, provide medical masks in time. The carrier recommends that passengers bring multiple masks on long-haul flights.

A spokesperson for Swiss International Air Lines confirmed that the carrier accepts surgical masks, community masks (or fabric masks) and FFP2 masks (KN95 and N95 without valves); these regulations also apply to crew and guests. Although fabric masks are accepted on most flights, there are some exceptions (for example, on flights to and from Germany) and regulations do not allow the use of these masks.

Air France passengers must wear surgical masks from the time they arrive at the airport to the entire flight. Since January last year, passengers on long-haul flights have been receiving a free surgical mask (as well as virus-killing disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer) as part of the hygiene kit. 

Passengers must wear masks without vents or openings that can completely cover their noses and mouths. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out that due to prolonged close contact with others, air travel will increase the risk of infection and spread of COVD-19. Air travel also requires spending time at busy airports and waiting at security lines, where there may be no social distancing between people. 

Although N95 and KN95 masks are much more expensive than surgical masks, they not only provide better protection, but also provide greater peace of mind when flying. Proceed with caution, especially on long-haul flights, pay attention to research results and wear the most effective masks possible.

In a column in the Wall Street Journal, travel editor Scott McCartney (Scott McCartney) also pointed out that in rare cases where air circulation is shut off in the cabin (for example, during ground flight delays), " Masks provide extra protection"

Before you take off, be sure to check the website of your particular carrier to learn about the airline’s current mask policies and regulations. And remind: it is not an option to refuse to face mask while flying. In the United States, this is a federal violation and can be fined up to $35,000.