How a Group of Columbia Students and Postdocs Are Changing Minds About Masks

Wearing a mask is a simple yet powerful tool to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. But getting clear, scientifically sound information about the most effective types of masks and the most effective way to wear them isn’t so straightforward.

Luckily, Columbia experts are here to help. Our colleagues have a great story on just such a group of students and postdocs from Columbia Engineering, Columbia College, Zuckerman Institute and beyond. In conjunction with faculty advisor Elizabeth Hillman, a biomedical engineer who has designed personal protective equipment, the group launched Wearing is Caring, an initiative that breaks down the science behind the face coverings.

“Together, we realized that although people were being told to wear a mask, they weren’t being told why. There were no intuitive explanations about why one mask is better than another, or why it is important that your mask fits you,” Hillman said.

Combining playful graphics and reliable data, their approach has proved exceptionally effective— Wearing is Caring has now reached more than 1 million people via social media. Among them: the Surgeon General of the United States.

Thanks ⁦@WearingisCaring⁩ for these infographics- sometimes a picture resonates better than words!

And remember, anyone- even your cousin, your coworker, or your best friend- could have #coronavirus and not know it (ie be “asymptomatic)!

So wear a mask! pic.twitter.com/ClLOkRj6ds

— U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) November 5, 2020

Check out the whole article about their work.