How do we know? A supercomputer says so!
Its name is Fugaku, and it recently took the title of world’s fastest supercomputer. The Japanese Riken Institute used Fugaku to model the performance of cotton, polyester, and nonwoven fabric masks in blocking spray from a cough by the wearer.
Nonwoven masks did the best job, blocking nearly all droplets emitted in a cough. But even cotton and polyester woven masks stopped at least 80% of the spray, making them effective at slowing the spread of the coronavirus, the researchers said.
In another simulation, Fugaku modeled the risk of a virus spreading through an air-conditioned auditorium with a seated audience of 2,000. The model showed that there is little risk of spread if the audience wears masks and sits spaced apart.
The bottom line? Wear a mask! Hey, if you can’t believe the world’s fastest supercomputer, whom can you believe?