Wearing masks prevents the spread of Covid-19 and reduces the rate of R

by



[ad_1]

Wearing face masks stops the spread of Covid-19, TRIPLES chance of keeping coronavirus R rate below 1, study finds

  • US researchers gave surveys to more than 300,000 people in 50 states
  • 10% increase in the number of people wearing masks makes R 3 times more likely to be less than 1
  • Experts add that wearing a mask doesn’t mean social distancing isn’t necessary

By Joe Pinkstone For Mailonline

Published: | Update:

Wearing face masks is an effective way to stop the spread of the coronavirus, a landmark study has found.

US researchers have found that a 10% increase in self-reported mask wear is associated with a three-fold increase in the chances of keeping the R-number below 1.

R is the number of people to whom an infected person will transmit the virus, on average. When the R-value is less than 1, it means that the epidemic is decreasing.

However, scientists warn that while face masks can help control the transmission of Covid-19 in the community, they should not replace other coronavirus measures such as social distancing.

The horizontal line in the colored box represents the average R-rate for the coronavirus relative to the number of respondents in a region who said they were 'very likely' to wear a mask when visiting friends or to their families and went to the supermarket.

The horizontal line in the colored box represents the average R-rate for the coronavirus relative to the number of respondents in a region who said they were ‘very likely’ to wear a mask when visiting friends or to their family and went to the supermarket

This map shows the percentage of each geographic region in the United States showing the percentage of people who say they are `` very likely '' or `` somewhat likely '' to wear a mask when visiting family or friends

This map shows the percentage of each geographic region in the United States showing the percentage of people who say they are “ very likely ” or “ somewhat likely ” to wear a mask when visiting family or friends

Experts based in the United States said their findings, published in the journal Lancet Digital Health, suggest that communities where mask wear and physical distancing are most likely to control transmission.

They used a computer model to determine what interventions are needed to reduce the R rate below 1, which is necessary for the pandemic to be considered ‘under control’.

Scientists have found that the chances of this happening increase 3.53 times if there is a 10% increase in the wearing of masks in the population, regardless of baseline.

Ben Rader, of Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston University, co-author of the study, said: “An important finding from this research is that wearing a mask does not replace distancing. physical.

Researchers used an online survey to collect data on the facial covering habits of more than 300,000 people in all 50 U.S. states and Washington DC between June 3 and July 27, 2020.

They compared it to anonymized data from Google smartphone users showing patterns of movement. This information was only shared after user consent.

Pictured is the percentage of people who say they are 'very likely' to wear a mask at grocery stores and with family or friends in the United States. The more yellow / green an area, the more people in that region say they are `` very susceptible ''

Pictured is the percentage of people who say they are ‘very likely’ to wear a mask at grocery stores and with family and friends in the United States. The more yellow / green an area, the more people in that region say they are “ very susceptible ”

Research found that a 10% increase in the number of people using coatings resulted in a probability that R was less than 1 more than tripling (stock)

Research found that a 10% increase in the number of people using coatings resulted in a probability that R was less than 1 more than tripling (stock)

Wear a mask in the office, at school and outside, says WHO

People living in areas with high transmission of Covid-19 should wear face masks indoors, including offices and schools, according to new guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Blankets should also be worn in private homes if someone walks inside who does not live there.

Other additions to the guide include children over 12 following the same advice as adults and wearing a mask outdoors if social distancing of one meter is not possible.

In the updated guidance sheet, the WHO admits there is “ limited evidence ” that masks stop transmission of the coronavirus.

Recent studies have found conflicting evidence on masks, with one piece of historical research concluding that they do not prevent the wearer from catching the virus.

The researchers say the study is observational and therefore unable to prove a direct causal link between mask wearing and transmission.

The majority of people in the study said they are ‘very likely’ to wear a face mask in the supermarket (84.6%), but less than half (40.2%) wear one when a visit to their family.

Very few respondents said they were “not at all likely to wear a mask” (4.7 percent).

Self-reported mask wear was highest among people aged 65 and older (48%) and varied across the United States, with the highest proportion of mask wear reported along the coasts and the southern border of the United States, as well as in cities. .

Researchers say it’s possible that those interviewed for the study were also more likely to engage in other behaviors that lower their risk of Covid-19 infection, such as increasing hand washing, which was not addressed in the study.

Dr Christina Astley, clinician and epidemiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and co-author of the study, said: “ Our results suggest that widespread use of face masks may help control Sars- Cov-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) transmission.

“ The world is facing a more transmissible strain of coronavirus, hospitals are grappling with new cases, and vaccination programs are still being rolled out.

“Interventions are needed now to ease the burden on our health systems.

“This research provides further evidence that these interventions should include wearing face masks to protect ourselves as well as physical distancing.



[ad_2]

Source link