May 5, 2020

A Simple Model to Show the Relative Risk of Viral Aerosol Infection and the Benefit of Wearing Masks in Different Settings with Implications for Covid-19

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

• Using parameters derived from literature, Barr describes a model to estimate the relative risk of aerosol from normal breathing in a variety of settings. The model indicates a multiplicative benefit of using cloth masks by both infected and  uninfected individuals in three settings (car, small non-ventilated room, larger ventilated space).  The model found that social distancing at 2 meters is effective but its benefit is time limited in confined areas.  Use of masks by both infected and uninfected individuals in the absence of extremely good ventilation was effective. 

Barr. (May 5, 2020). A Simple Model to Show the Relative Risk of Viral Aerosol Infection and the Benefit of Wearing Masks in Different Settings with Implications for Covid-19. Preprint downloaded May 5 from Medrxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.28.20082990