Masks vs. no masks: Photos could help with employee training

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” It’s a cliché for a reason.

A Washington health care company has published photos that illustrate the effectiveness of wearing masks in ways that statistics or descriptions never could, and they might make good training material, according to an update from the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.

The photos show the stark difference in the number of bacteria colonies — not viruses — growing in petri dishes after a person sneezed, coughed, sang and talked while wearing a mask and while not wearing a mask. 

Providence, a health company that serves seven western states, conducted the illustrative experiment and released the photos and the accompanying news release, which also includes video: https://www.providence.org/news/uf/619927061

—by Ross Courtney