# \[Factual\] Does SARS-CoV-2 transmit via aerosol particles that are too small to be filtered by masks? If so, to what extent? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [August 12, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-does-sars-cov-2-transmit-via-aerosol-particles-that-are-too-small-to-be-filtered-by-masks-if-so-to-what-extent/948537 "2021-08-12T17:54:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 5
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-does-sars-cov-2-transmit-via-aerosol-particles-that-are-too-small-to-be-filtered-by-masks-if-so-to-what-extent/948537/5 "2021-08-12T22:04:36Z")
Here’s a thread I started recently on masks and the Delta variant. @Retzbu_Tox posted a bunch of links in a July 20 post. > [@SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Mask Effectiveness (Factual)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sars-cov-2-variants-and-mask-effectiveness-factual/946102): > > In this [thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1660), @puzzlegal, @ThelmaLou, @Jay_Z, and I were discussing the robustness in protection of masks against the new Delta variant. I started this thread to avoid hijacking that one. The question is, does the higher transmissibility of the Delta variant decrease the effectiveness of masks? [Why The Delta Variant Is So Contagious: A New Study Sheds Light : Goats and Soda : NPR](https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/07/08/1013794996/why-the-delta-variant-is-so-contagious-a-new-study-sheds-light) A few things to consider: The viral load in the respiratory tract (1000X higher in Delta variant), will effect… --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-does-sars-cov-2-transmit-via-aerosol-particles-that-are-too-small-to-be-filtered-by-masks-if-so-to-what-extent/948537)._