Health Conditions A-Z Infectious Diseases COVID-19 Does 'One-Way Masking' Work Against COVID-19? By Alyssa Hui Updated on November 3, 2024 Medically reviewed by Steffini Stalos, DO Medically reviewed by Steffini Stalos, DO Steffini Stalos, DO, FCAP, is a pathology and lab medicine physician. She is also the chief medical officer of the lab consultancy firm Blood Associates, LLC. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Health.com. He is a seasoned journalist and editor with over two decades of experience, he has held several leadership roles at major publications. health's fact checking process Close Luis Velasco / Stocksy One-way masking is the act of wearing a mask in an environment where others aren't masked. It can provide significant protection against COVID-19, even if you're the only one wearing a mask. The mask still filters respiratory droplets as long as it fits well and is worn for the needed duration. Is One-Way Masking Effective? The greatest benefit of avoiding COVID and other respiratory illnesses comes from all people wearing masks correctly. Research has shown that one-way masking doesn't completely protect against COVID, especially if you're in a crowded indoor area. There's still ample data that shows one-way masking can provide some protection for the wearer. People who consistently wear masks that are both comfortable and well-fitting are less likely to get COVID than those who don't. A study published in 2021 found that wearing a mask on airplanes could reduce the risk of infection by up to 54% from an infected passenger sitting close by. Masks can filter any respiratory droplets and block any particles that may have escaped from the people around you. This is especially true when wearing a mask that fits well across your face, is multi-layered, and is worn for the entire duration you may need it. More research is needed to know if one-way masking can be effective if the wearer tests positive for COVID after isolation ends. The Type of Mask Matters Many studies have shown that a mask protects the person who's wearing it. The level of protection depends on the type of mask, mask material, how consistently people are wearing them, and the rate of infection in the community. High-quality respirators—KN95 or N95 face coverings—provide the most protection from a respiratory infection. Surgical and cloth masks still offer some amount of protection to wearers. You must wear them correctly, meaning there are no gaps or wet or dirty material. These masks provide even more protection when you layer them together. A KN95 or N95 mask significantly protects the wearer against COVID, even if the other people don't wear a mask. One person who wears a KN95 is sometimes better than both people who wear a surgical mask. There's still some "one-way" protection for surgical masks, Eric Cioe-Peña, MD, director of global health and emergency department physician at Staten Island University Hospital, told Health. Other Ways To Protect Yourself You can do other things beyond wearing a mask that can reduce the risk of transmission. This includes getting vaccinated for COVID and staying up to date with booster shots. Social distancing from people who aren't wearing masks, especially if you are an older adult or have a weak immune system, can help lower the risk. Minimizing time in dense crowds, especially in low-ventilated or indoor locations, can lower the risk of exposure. More steps you can take to protect yourself and others include: Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the crook of your elbow Improve the air quality in your home. Install portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners, open the windows, or use fans. Isolate at home and away from others until your symptoms improve and you don't have a fever for at least 24 hours Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable A Quick Review One-way masking means that you're wearing a mask in an environment where no one else is wearing one. It doesn't shield you completely, but one-way masking offers more protection against COVID than not wearing a mask. Make sure you wear a mask that fits well, such as a KN95 or N95 mask. You can also opt for a surgical mask layered with a cloth mask on top. Wear your mask for the entire duration you need it. The information in this story is accurate as of publication. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 11 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Understanding the difference. Jirmanus LZ, Valenti RM, Griest Schwartzman EA, et al. Too many deaths, too many left behind: A people's external review of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 pandemic response. AJPM Focus. 2024;3(4):100207. doi:10.1016/j.focus.2024.100207 Andrejko KL, Pry JM, Myers JF, et al. 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