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“could”

That's not what their research showed. Their researched showed that a detectable level of infectious virus was present on the outer layer of a surgical mask on day 7 (∼0·1% of the original inoculum).

"That's not what their research showed. Their researched showed that a detectable level of infectious virus was present on the outer layer of a surgical mask on day 7 (∼0·1% of the original inoculum). " It is difficult to write about when not presenting the original studies - thanks for getting it. If I was telling somebody about it I would say "So these guys did a study and a small portion of infectious virus was still found on their masks. Your mask could also have some infectious virus on it." BTW - it is shocking to hear about after all the other stuff I've read. You think you are protecting yourself (The N95 mask inventor said air-dry for 3 to 4 days), and then you hear new information. On the other hand is 1% of the virus remaining still a huge threat? I guess it depends on how much was there to begin with. Also, an N95 mask doesn't filter all of the virus anyway - just reducing the load. (I'm trying to make myself feel better for only drying my masks for 4 days!) Although I wash or sanitize my hands before and after donning and after doffing, so there's that!