Skip to content

Coronavirus: Do face masks actually work?

As coronavirus continues to spread around the world, face masks are in high demand as people look for ways to protect themselves.

But do they really protect most people from contracting the virus?

Dr Shunmay Yeung from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine explains.

Please note: This video was produced on 13 March 2020 and based on the advice available from the World Health Organization and other health groups at the time.

Read more: Coronavirus: What are the symptoms?

Read more: Coronavirus information: What should I do?

14 March 2020

Explore More

People in high-vis jackets walk next to a car submerged in floods on the left of a split screen with a snowy road on the right

Atmospheric river dumps snow and record rain on California

Science & Environment

Phone footage of a skate surfacing out of grey waves to a rigid inflatable boat.ttack the side of a inflatable

Watch the moment a skate attacks a fisherman's boat off Shetland

NE, Orkney & Shetland

Smoke billows from house fire.

Video shows flames and thick smoke at house fire

A view from an EasyJet plane window as it flies above and to the side of an erupting volcano

Plane passengers film Iceland volcano lava from above

BBC News

East of England weather forecast

Composite image of Sir Keir Starmer and BBC Radio WM presenter Kath Stanczyszyn, who is pictured wearing headphones and speaking into a purple microphone

Will there be a Birmingham pub bombings inquiry?

Birmingham & Black Country

A huge Christmas tree on a flatbed lorry in font of the US Capitol building

US Capitol Christmas tree arrives in DC

Blurred still image from video clips shows people being taken out of a car

Migrants asked to rate trip in smuggler review videos

John Darvall sat on the left of a composite image, in a purple studio with a microphone in front of him. On the right is Keir Starmer with grey hair and brown glasses.

PM challenged on West's councils facing bankruptcy

BBC Newsline

BBC Newsline signed summary

BBC Scotland weather presenter Christopher Blanchett in front of a weather map of Scotland showing snow warnings.

Watch the Storm Bert weather forecast for Scotland

Mural of The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke unveiled

Parts of West Burton A power station being demolished

Power station demolition captured by drone

Man clinging to a cliff being rescued

Moment person clinging to cliff is rescued by helicopter

A woman in a hospital gown grins on the left and a monitor lit up with lungs is on the right of a split screen.

Woman gets first double lung transplant done by robot

Ryan Borgwardt

US kayaker who faked own death thought to have fled to Europe

Ruth Dodsworth in the BBC studios in Cardiff. She is sitting on an orange sofa. She has cropped blonde hair and is wearing a fitted mauve top,

Stalking was part of my daily life, says presenter

A Christmas tree with lots of blue and green lights. A building nearby has yellow lights and a red bow so it looks like a present. You can see people stood in front of the building.

Manx capital sparkles at Christmas lights switch-on

A woman has her make up done in a Swansea salon for Beaujolais Day

'Beaujolais day is Swansea's Christmas'

A woman polished a large Gromit statue at the launch of the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail in Bristol. The statue has a multicoloured sparkly pattern. The woman is wearing a red and white shirt and a black dress over the top and she has red hair cut in a bob style

Aardman unveils new Wallace and Gromit trail

Heston Blumenthal wearing a blue shirt and black frame glasses

'It's not all doom' - Heston Blumenthal on bipolar diagnosis

The celebrity chef announced he was diagnosed with the mental health condition earlier this year.

Zachary with his mum and dad

'We can't give up hope for our wee boy'

The parents of a toddler waiting for a liver and bowel transplant are pleading with parents to have the conversation about what they would do in the same situation.

Louis, William, Kate, Charlotte and George

Kate releases message after completing chemo treatment

The Princess of Wales has said her focus for now was to remain "cancer free".

Graeme Souness sits on the red BBC Breakfast sofa beside Isla Grist

Watch: Graeme Souness pays tribute to 'determined cookie' living with rare skin condition

Former footballer Graeme Souness joins Isla Grist to discuss their work fighting the rare skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

Simon Boas speaking on Radio 4 Today programme

Simon Boas explains how cancer diagnosis helped him enjoy life more

Aid worker explains how his career helped him come to terms with his own terminal cancer diagnosis.

Lyndsey Ainscough on BBC Breakfast

How Dame Deborah James helped save a mum's life

A mother-of-three shared her story with Dame Deborah's mother Heather on BBC Breakfast.

Michael Mosley and Professor Paul Bloom

Watch: Michael Mosley's last interview

Watch: A clip from Michael Mosley's last recording at the Hay Festival in May

Woman using sunbed (stock photo)

It's 'crazy' to use sunbeds - skin cancer expert

A dermatologist warns sunbed users they are "paying" to expose themselves to cancer risks.

Marjorie Taylor Green and Anthony Fauci

'You're mister, not doctor': Fauci grilled by Taylor Greene

Marjorie Taylor Greene challenged the US' former top doctor, who also got emotional during his testimony.

People affected by infected blood products in the BBC studio

'It's in black and white, there's no hiding anymore'

Relatives and victims of the infected blood scandal tell BBC Breakfast how they feel about the inquiry's findings.

Su Gorman

Su Gorman gives evidence at the Infected Blood Inquiry

Su Gorman, the wife of Steve Dymond, gives evidence at the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Gill Castle giving interview

I will carry legacy from traumatic birth - Alnwick mum

Gill Castle was left with irreparable damages from the traumatic birth of her son.

Destiny-Rae

Organ-sharing scheme gets kidney for five-year-old

A special organ-sharing scheme has, against the odds, found a new kidney for five-year-old Destiny-Rae.

Dr Hilary Cass, chair of the Cass Review

'Toxicity of gender debate' affecting treatment - Cass

The Cass Review makes 32 recommendations on how gender services for children and young people should operate.

Merope Mills

Martha's rule will save lives, says Merope Mills

The mother of Martha Mills, who died of sepsis because her symptoms were missed, speaks as new rules are announced.

UK Health Secretary speaking on BBC Breakfast

Health secretary asked if dental budget is lower

Victoria Atkins was pressed on the £200m investment in to dental services announced by the government today.

Gene editing graphic

Explainer: What is gene editing?

The BBC's Fergus Walsh explains what gene editing is and how it works.

Reporter Pria Rai in a beauty salon

Secret filming finds beauty salons selling unapproved skinny jab

Reporter Pria Rai investigates the black market in cut price 'skinny jabs'.

Unlicensed weight loss jab sold on social media

Unlicensed weight loss jab sold on social media

Doctors warn weight loss drugs from unregulated sources could contain potentially toxic ingredients

Marc walking

Parkinson's implant restores man's walk

A man with advanced Parkinson's has been helped to walk again with a special implant that stimulates nerves in his spine.