Face Mask Research for Civilian Safety
Donation protected
The Respiratory Protection Engineering Task Force is a research group based out of the University of Cambridge that is dedicated to understanding and improving civilian face masks. We are one of the world’s foremost face mask research groups dedicated to protecting civilians. Our research has been featured in The Guardian, The Telegraph, Google News, Yahoo! News, and more. You can learn more about our research team at www.FaceMaskResearch.com
Since March, our team has completed six studies using funds from our home department at Cambridge and money from our own pockets. Because of this, we have been able to accomplish an incredible amount in a short period of time. However, to move forward, we need the help of the community. Even a small donation of $5 or $10 can help cover equipment rentals, supplies, open publication fees, and other essentials. Donations go to our task force, whose members volunteer their time in order to help discover the science needed to protect people around the world from this and future pandemics. 100% of money donated will go directly to covering research costs.
Our research is conducted with the goal of improving the protection civilians can expect from their masks during this pandemic and in pandemics to come. In addition to protecting people in the US and UK, we work closely with task forces in third world countries to help protect the most vulnerable populations.
Aren’t masks going to become obsolete with the COVID-19 vaccine?
It is a common misconception that masks will not be necessary once the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. As of yet, we do not have enough data on the efficacy of the vaccines to deem masks unnecessary; this includes knowing how long antibodies will last nor if a high number of viruses could overwhelm the vaccine. Experts such as the Director-General of the International Vaccine institute have advised that masks may likely be necessary through 2024.
In addition, our research can help inform our public response to future pandemics . In a way, we are lucky that this pandemic is not as severe as initially expected. However, the next pandemic might be more contagious or more deadly. We want to be ready to protect civilians for whatever the next disaster brings.
Why are we raising funds on GoFundMe instead of through traditional grants?
Our research is primarily self-funded, as this allows us to move quickly. Traditional academic grants in Engineering can take upwards of 9 months. Data collection and publication can take an additional 3-5 months. While we use supplemental grant funding when available, we rely primarily on personal donations in order to respond to the needs of civilians during the COVID-19 pandemic as quickly as possible. Gathering funds through this avenue will allow us to further our research in a more timely manner.
What will the money be used for?
We have three major upcoming studies, which we are seeking funds to help complete. All funds will be used to cover equipment and similar costs. Our team is not being paid; we have volunteered our time to this research out of a sincere belief it is necessary to conduct this research in order to protect people around the world now and in the future. We are raising money for Study One. Any left over funds will be used on Study Two or Three.
Study One is a large, multi-site, three-pronged study with the goal of understanding how civilians wear a mask and what issues they experience with their mask. This study consists of over 50 hours of observation, a US-wide survey, and hours of teleconference interviews. The results of this study will help mask designers focus on the most important fit and comfort issues, give policymakers the information they need to create effective (and civilian-friendly) policies and help researchers focus on the most important problems civilians experience with their masks. To fully complete Study One will take approximately $2,500.
Study Two is the development and testing of a civilian mask toolkit. This framework will help you and others pick or create the best mask possible. It will translate the scientific information we have learned from our research for multiple audiences including the average household, small businesses, teachers and students, and people from disadvantaged communities with limited resources. This material will help people protect themselves now and in the future - arming you and others with vital information.
Study Three is a study exploring if and how masks can be reused. When COVID-19 cases began rapidly growing across the globe in March, we conducted a study on which fabrics are best for fabric face masks. While conducting background research, we came across a paper from the University of Tribhuvan, Nepal. In this paper, researchers observed that fabric masks, which had been washed several times, did not perform as well as new fabric masks. If true, this is critical information for the public to know, as many people around the world are using fabric masks, which need to be disinfected regularly. Unfortunately, this study has several methodological limitations. Because of this, the goal of Study Three is to replicate their findings in a more rigorous and OSHA approved way. This study may require between $1,200 and $3,500, depending on how many fabrics we test.
Since March, our team has completed six studies using funds from our home department at Cambridge and money from our own pockets. Because of this, we have been able to accomplish an incredible amount in a short period of time. However, to move forward, we need the help of the community. Even a small donation of $5 or $10 can help cover equipment rentals, supplies, open publication fees, and other essentials. Donations go to our task force, whose members volunteer their time in order to help discover the science needed to protect people around the world from this and future pandemics. 100% of money donated will go directly to covering research costs.
Our research is conducted with the goal of improving the protection civilians can expect from their masks during this pandemic and in pandemics to come. In addition to protecting people in the US and UK, we work closely with task forces in third world countries to help protect the most vulnerable populations.
Aren’t masks going to become obsolete with the COVID-19 vaccine?
It is a common misconception that masks will not be necessary once the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. As of yet, we do not have enough data on the efficacy of the vaccines to deem masks unnecessary; this includes knowing how long antibodies will last nor if a high number of viruses could overwhelm the vaccine. Experts such as the Director-General of the International Vaccine institute have advised that masks may likely be necessary through 2024.
In addition, our research can help inform our public response to future pandemics . In a way, we are lucky that this pandemic is not as severe as initially expected. However, the next pandemic might be more contagious or more deadly. We want to be ready to protect civilians for whatever the next disaster brings.
Why are we raising funds on GoFundMe instead of through traditional grants?
Our research is primarily self-funded, as this allows us to move quickly. Traditional academic grants in Engineering can take upwards of 9 months. Data collection and publication can take an additional 3-5 months. While we use supplemental grant funding when available, we rely primarily on personal donations in order to respond to the needs of civilians during the COVID-19 pandemic as quickly as possible. Gathering funds through this avenue will allow us to further our research in a more timely manner.
What will the money be used for?
We have three major upcoming studies, which we are seeking funds to help complete. All funds will be used to cover equipment and similar costs. Our team is not being paid; we have volunteered our time to this research out of a sincere belief it is necessary to conduct this research in order to protect people around the world now and in the future. We are raising money for Study One. Any left over funds will be used on Study Two or Three.
Study One is a large, multi-site, three-pronged study with the goal of understanding how civilians wear a mask and what issues they experience with their mask. This study consists of over 50 hours of observation, a US-wide survey, and hours of teleconference interviews. The results of this study will help mask designers focus on the most important fit and comfort issues, give policymakers the information they need to create effective (and civilian-friendly) policies and help researchers focus on the most important problems civilians experience with their masks. To fully complete Study One will take approximately $2,500.
Study Two is the development and testing of a civilian mask toolkit. This framework will help you and others pick or create the best mask possible. It will translate the scientific information we have learned from our research for multiple audiences including the average household, small businesses, teachers and students, and people from disadvantaged communities with limited resources. This material will help people protect themselves now and in the future - arming you and others with vital information.
Study Three is a study exploring if and how masks can be reused. When COVID-19 cases began rapidly growing across the globe in March, we conducted a study on which fabrics are best for fabric face masks. While conducting background research, we came across a paper from the University of Tribhuvan, Nepal. In this paper, researchers observed that fabric masks, which had been washed several times, did not perform as well as new fabric masks. If true, this is critical information for the public to know, as many people around the world are using fabric masks, which need to be disinfected regularly. Unfortunately, this study has several methodological limitations. Because of this, the goal of Study Three is to replicate their findings in a more rigorous and OSHA approved way. This study may require between $1,200 and $3,500, depending on how many fabrics we test.
Organizer and beneficiary
Eugenia OKelly
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
Corinne OKelly
Beneficiary
