July 21, 2020

Bidirectional Impact of Imperfect Mask Use on Reproduction Number of COVID-19: A next Generation Matrix Approach

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Modeling and Prediction

• Using a next generation matrix approach, Fisman et al. found that even modest use of imperfect masks reduce COVID-19 transmission, and widespread use may be able to bring R0<1 if it has already been brought close to 1 by other interventions. However, the effect of mask wearing on transmission at a population level is reduced in scenarios in which mask wearers are more likely to mix with other mask wearers than with non-wearers (assortative mixing).  

Fisman et al. (2020). Bidirectional Impact of Imperfect Mask Use on Reproduction Number of COVID-19: A next Generation Matrix Approach. Infectious Disease Modelling. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idm.2020.06.004