Since COVID-19 began, the theory about copper acting as a protective agent against the virus has been doing rounds. It has gained so much popularity that many people want to add copper elements to their houses and start wearing copper accessories.
Though interest in the thought has gone down a bit, several people are still looking at copper-lined face masks, bed sheets, socks, and more with hopes that the metal will somehow shield them against the virus.
Now although copper is known for its antimicrobial qualities, no study has so far established that it can protect us from the Coronavirus. Let us try to look at this a bit closer.
No formal study has established that Copper saves against Coronavirus
From ancient Egypt to the current times, copper has been used to kill germs. While there are studies that confirm copper helping stop the spread of many viruses like E.coli, salmonella, and influenza, there is no such claim that supports a similar effect for the Coronavirus.
Read: Copper’s Virus-Killing Powers Were known even to the Ancients
Copper can be quite beneficial in puncturing microbe exteriors due to reactive ions. It can also stop proteins that are metal-free by just attaching to them. Our immune system is known to take advantage of copper’s protective instincts as well. That being said, no one knows if it works effectively against the Coronavirus.
Doctors advise against excessive use of Copper
Scientists Dr. Johnson and Dr. Djoko don’t endorse copper-infused accessories like masks. They state that over ingesting copper is not a good idea at all. It will not boost your immunity, and instead, could harm your body in other ways.
They further say that masks that are not air-tight will not protect you from contracting the virus. However, if one is infected, a copper-infused mask can help a great deal in stopping the spread of the disease.
The company “Cupron Scientific” sells copper-lined masks with a firm belief in the power of copper (thanks to 2010 study, which concluded that copper-laced accessories could reduce the spread of the active influenza virus). But again, there’s no study proving the same to be true with the Coronavirus.
Read: Should You Buy a Copper Fabric Face Mask to Protect Against COVID-19?
Are Copper-lined masks effective?
The short answer is no. If the microbe doesn’t come in contact with the metal, there is no additional benefit to this mask. Consumers also need to keep in mind that not all copper masks are the same. Manufacturing, design, and the quantity of copper in the mask play a role in its effectiveness.
To wrap it up
Copper may be useful in certain places while we are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, investing in copper-based surfaces in high-risk areas like quarantine centers or hospitals will slow down the transmission rates of particular pathogens. However, studies are in progress to understand just how effective copper is when it comes to stopping the spread of Coronavirus.