UW Medical Director: Neck gaiters are better than no mask at all

The results of a recently-published study from Duke implied that wearing a neck gaiter is worse than wearing no mask at all in terms of limiting the spread of COVID-19, since gaiters didn’t do a good job at containing the aerosol droplets that could spread the virus.

Authors of the study have since tried to walk back that interpretation, but as UW Medicine points out, the narrative has persisted.

“The study was designed more for a proof of concept for a method of how to examine the efficacy of different masks and it wasn’t designed to compare different masks,” explained Dr. Mark Harrast, medical director of the Sports Medicine Center at Husky Stadium.

Harrast says any face covering is better than no face covering at all.

“Some of the thinner gaiters may be thought of as maybe not as good as some of the multi-ply masks that we wear in the hospital and that,” Harrast said. “But then this scientist study that came out from Virginia Tech showed that if you just double the gaiter up, just put it on over twice, it is very, very effective.”

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The primary purpose of wearing a face covering in public is to limit the spread of the virus, as we know that it can spread through aerosol particles when we speak, breathe heavily, cough, or sneeze. Aside from masking up, the main key in limiting the spread is physical distancing, Harrast said, and hand hygiene.

For runners, walkers, and everyone, it’s important to keep the recommended six-foot distance in mind, wherever you are. Cyclists, Harrast says, get a bit of a bye on masking, since they often ride solo, and tend to be further away and move quickly past walkers and joggers.

“If you’re not going to be around anybody, you don’t necessarily need to wear a face covering. But if you’re going to be around some place — like on Lake Washington Boulevard here — where there’s going to be a lot of people, then it probably is smart to wear something,” he said.

“It’s more if you’re on the same path as someone — hiking too, same thing — so if you’re on a lone path with no one around, have the gaiter down [around your neck] or have the mask in your pocket, but when you pass someone, put it on,” Harrast added.

Make sure whatever face covering you choose to wear is comfortable and fits well. Harrast says you don’t want to wear something that’s uncomfortable or that you have to move and adjust frequently.

“Something that fits really well and that’s comfortable for you to wear is the most important thing,” he said. “If that’s a gaiter, that’s perfectly fine. If it’s a different mask that has, you know, ear loops, that’s OK too.”