Man Tries To Prove Masks Don't Work By Blowing Out Candle In One And It Backfires

Whether anti-maskers like it or not, one of the most widely-accepted methods of limiting the spread of Covid-19 is wearing a face covering. But one guy decided to try and disprove the 'candle test' theory - only for it to spectacularly backfire, as you can see:

Let me explain - the candle test has been used as a way to prove it's worth wearing a mask. When you attempt to blow a candle out when wearing one, the candle won't extinguish. This illustrates how the mask blocks the flow of air, in turn reducing the spread of droplets in your breath which could be infected with Covid-19.

TikTok user Jay Binkerd decided to have the conversation with one of his friends and posted the findings of his test online.

In the video, Binkerd argued that masks work, while another man said he'd be able to blow out a candle while wearing one.

When they put it to the test, guess what happened? Lo and behold, the candle wouldn't go out from him blowing through his mask.

TikTok/@just_jay28

Someone could be heard saying: "How'd that work for you, dumbass?"

The test has been widely supported by scientists and with face coverings now compulsory in enclosed public places, like trains and buses, it's handy to know why they are important.

According to GOV.UK: "A face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth.

"You can buy reusable or single-use face coverings. You may also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering but these must securely fit round the side of the face."

TikTok/@just_jay28

Simon Kolstoe, a senior lecturer in Evidence Based Healthcare at the University of Portsmouth, says that although not as effective as medical grade face masks, face coverings reduce the spread of the virus in the same way that covering your mouth when you cough does.

Writing in The Conversation, Simon said: "To get an idea of how much this might happen, a simple test involving trying to blow out a candle directly in front of the wearer could be tried. Initially, the distance coupled with the strength of exhalation could be investigated, but then face coverings made from different materials and critically with different numbers of layers could be tried.

"The design of face covering that made it hardest to divert the candle flame will probably provide the best barrier for projecting the virus forward and through the face covering."

Topics: Coronavirus

Amelia Ward

Amelia is a journalist at LADbible. After studying journalism at Liverpool John Moores and Salford Uni (don't ask), she went into PR and then the world of music. After a few years working on festivals and events, she went back to her roots. In her spare time, Amelia likes music, Liverpool FC, and spending good, quality time with her cat, Paul. You can contact Amelia at [email protected].

@ameliasward