x
Breaking News
More () »

Spray paint demonstration shows the power of wearing a mask in public

If you want to slow the spread of coronavirus, wear a mask in public. 2 Wants To Know shows how it helps to protect the people around you.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Researchers say the most common way coronavirus spreads is through water droplets that spray out whenever you're talking to someone. They are so small you can't see them, but health experts say spray paint is a good representation.

So standing an arms length away from someone, the normal size of someone's personal space bubble in America, look at what happens. 

Credit: WFMY
Spray paint shows how your breath gets on someone in front of you.

And that's why doctors tell you to wear a mask. 

Using red spray paint now, let's show you what happens when you wear a mask.

Credit: WFMY
We sprayed the red paint through a mask to show how a face covering protects people around you.

The covering catches pretty much all of your spray. Doctors say that protects the person you are talking with and is a huge help in stopping the spread of the virus.

"Face coverings that cover your nose and mouth help because if you have COVID 19, you may not know it yet. You can give it to other people before you have any symptoms. We all need to take precautions," said Dr. Mandy Cohen with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

But for a mask to work, you have to wear it the right way.

"The face-covering needs to go over both your nose and your mouth," Cohen said. "And make sure when you are taking on and off your face covering, you want to do that by the ear coverings here and not touch the front. And when you take it off, washing your hands right away."

For more stories like this like consumer reporter Ben Briscoe on Facebook.

RELATED: These states require face masks be worn in public

RELATED: 'This is our ticket for getting numbers back down again' | Medical experts continue to stress the importance of wearing face masks in public

Before You Leave, Check This Out