If everyone can keep social distancing, is it necessary to wear face masks? Which measure is essential or they completment each other?
Dear Dr. Daqing Chen,
I suggest you to have a look at the following new preprint study published on Arxiv.org:
-Universal Masking is Urgent in the COVID-19 Pandemic:SEIR and Agent Based Models, Empirical Validation,Policy Recommendations
De Kai, Guy-Philippe Goldstein, Alexey Morgunov, Vishal Nangalia, Anna Rotkirch (21 April 2020)
Available at: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2004.13553.pdf
Best regards, Pierluigi Traverso
Thanks Pieluigi. A discussion on the paper can be found here:
https://venturebeat.com/2020/04/29/ai-models-suggest-that-masks-can-significantly-reduce-spread-of-coronavirus/
Dear Dr. Daqing Chen,
Masks consistently cut infection rates across the studies, leading Chou to believe that anything from a surgical mask to an N95 reduces the risk of transmitting coronaviruses.
A more detailed discussion of the problem of wearing a COVID19 infection mask you can find on the website:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90501603/masks-prevent-the-spread-of-covid-19-landmark-analysis-of-64-studies-finds
Best regards,
Igor Novák
Proper use of (specified and approved) masks can significantly reduce spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and similar respiratory transmissible virus. However, such must be discarded (or washed as the case might be) appropriately on regular basis.
Article A rapid systematic review of the efficacy of face masks and ...
Article Respiratory virus shedding in exhaled breath and efficacy of...
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0843-2
Nevertheless, care must be taken when using face masks as increased or abuse use can lead to skin irritation and damage
https://www.forbes.com/sites/allisongasparini/2020/04/08/increased-face-mask-wear-can-lead-to-skin-irritation-and-damage---heres-why-and-how-to-mitigate-risk/#3772bda42a4d
https://www.livescience.com/face-masks-eye-protection-covid-19-prevention.html
Therefore, it must be used appropriately. The guidelines of 2 meters social distance must always be followed. We must also remember that the main purpose wearing face mask is not fashion but for protection. Hence, keep safe, stay safe and mind the gap.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephanrabimov/2020/04/27/20-fashion-brands-getting-most-creative-with-coronavirus-face-masks/#747f6f9f7599
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/style/250-designer-face-mask-brash-obnoxious-latest-must-buy-accessory/