A study from the US government reports common materials such as cotton can effectively filter particles as small as the coronavirus.
According to Gizmodo, the effect is particularly magnified when the cotton cloth is layered, and when the cloth is of a thicker texture, like flannel.
The findings offer more evidence that homemade masks can slow the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and also protect the wearer.
Masks can block some of the largest viral droplets that a person exhales or coughs out, preventing them from reaching others.
The widespread use of masks is critical because people can be contagious shortly before symptoms start, or when completely asymptomatic.