Do Masks Offer Protection From New Virus? It Depends

Do Masks Offer Protection From New Virus? It Depends
A combination of photos show people wearing various masks as they wait at an immigration counter at Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Terminal in Sepang, Malaysia on Jan. 29, 2020. Face masks are in short supply in parts of the world as people try to stop the spread of a new virus from China. Health officials recommend strap-on medical masks for people being evaluated for the new virus, their household members and caregivers. Vincent Thian/AP
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SEATTLE—People around the world are buying up protective face masks in hopes of keeping the new virus from China at bay. Some companies have required them for employees. Schools in South Korea have told parents to equip their children with masks and hand sanitizer when they return from winter vacation.

But do the masks work? It depends.