Even though something is better than nothing to help stop the spread of COVID-19, researchers say the bandana is the least effective of them all.
In a cough test, droplets from a folded handkerchief traveled 1 foot, 3 inches, and through a cone-style mask, they traveled around eight inches. However, droplets traveled 3 feet through a bandana-covered cough.
Meanwhile, the stitched-quilting fabric masks came out on top because droplets only traveled about 2.5 inches.