Bill Nye the Science Guy demonstrated the science behind wearing face masks in two TikTok videos that have gone viral this week, according to CNN.
The videos used the style of Nye’s “Consider the Following” segment from his popular 1990s kids show to explain why face masks are so important, according to HuffPost.
“Why do people in the scientific community want you to wear a face mask when you are out in public?” Nye asked in the video, according to CNN. “Masks prevent particles from my respiratory system from getting into your respiratory system. ... Blocking the movement of air is an old trick.”
To demonstrate this, Nye covered his face with a scarf, a cloth face mask, and an N95 mask while trying to blow out a candle, according to HuffPost. The scarf was least effective at blocking the movement of air — Nye was able to blow out the candle while it covered his face — and the N95 mask was most effective, as the candle did not flicker at all when Nye attempted to blow on it.
“The reason we want you to wear a mask is to protect you, sure. But the main reason we want you to wear a mask is to protect me from you, and the particles from your respiratory system from getting into my respiratory system,” Nye explained in the second video. “Everybody, this is a matter literally of life and death.”
Nye’s videos come as many US states continue to see increases in the number of new coronavirus cases, including Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Guidelines from the CDC for coronavirus prevention include wearing a cloth face covering while in public, according to Fox News.
Nye has previously spoken out about the importance of wearing face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
He said he believes that “five years from now, it will be common for city dwellers to wear face masks in public,” and that “like other articles of clothing, these masks will be washable and reusable, but still effective,” according to HuffPost.