Towards the direct detection of viral materials at the surface of protective face masks via infrared spectroscopy.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic represents a considerable risk for the general public and especially for health care workers. To avoid an overloading of the health care system and to control transmission chains, the development of rapid and cost-effective techniques allowing for the reliable diagnosis of individuals with acute respiratory infections are crucial. Uniquely, the present study focuses on the development of a direct face mask sampling approach, as worn (i.