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Tag: masks
June 7, 2021
Slight Reduction in SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Viral Load Due to Masking Results in a Significant Reduction in Transmission with Widespread Implementation
A mathematical model fit to data from King County, Washington found that in a scenario where masks only lowered viral exposure by about 50%, they were still effective at controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and moderately efficacious masks would reduce exposure viral load ten-fold among people who get infected despite masking in the era before vaccines were…
March 12, 2021
Assessment of Use and Fit of Face Masks Among Individuals in Public During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China
Sealing facemasks with adhesive tape strips improved the proportion of masks that had an airtight fit among mask users (n=6,003), based on a study conducted in Beijing, Yunnan, Shanxi and Jiangsu provinces (China). Participants were convenience sampled at public locations and administered a qualitative fit test to ensure proper fit and airtightness. The first qualitative…
March 8, 2021
On Secondary Atomization and Blockage of Surrogate Cough Droplets in Single- and Multilayer Face Masks
Using high-speed imaging and physics-based analyses, large (> 250 μm) simulated cough droplets were shown to penetrate single- or double-layer mask materials to a significant extent. The authors suggest that expelled droplets may atomize into smaller (< 100 μm) droplets that could remain airborne for longer periods, potentially impacting mask efficacy. For a droplet of…
February 22, 2021
A Comparison of Performance Metrics for Cloth Face Masks as Source Control Devices for Simulated Cough and Exhalation Aerosols
[Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] A study evaluating 15 reusable cloth masks (including face masks, neck gaiters, and bandanas), medical masks, and N95 filtering facepiece respirators as source control devices for aerosols produced during simulated coughing and exhalation found that the source control collection efficiencies for cloth masks ranged from 17 to 71% for coughing and 35…
February 10, 2021
Maximizing Fit for Cloth and Medical Procedure Masks to Improve Performance and Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Exposure, 2021
The CDC found that fitting a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask (double masking), and knotting the ear loops of a medical procedure mask, then tucking in and flattening the extra material near the face substantially improves the efficacy of masks. In simulated coughing experiments, the unknotted medical procedure mask blocked 42% of the…
February 8, 2021
The Impact of State Mask-Wearing Requirements on the Growth of COVID-19 Cases in the United States
An ecological study conducted from January-October 2020 found differences in median COVID-19 case rates (per 100,000) between states who adopted mask requirements “early” (before June 12, 15 states, rate = 5.7), “late” (after June 12, 19 states, rate = 5.59) or “never” (17 states, rate = 5.99). Models that controlled for confounders and interactions between…
February 5, 2021
Risk compensation and face mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic
Implementation of face mask mandates may lead to people participating in higher risk activities. Using SafeGraph smart device location data and variation in the date that US states and counties issued face mask mandates, a comparison of time at home and the number of visits to public locations before and after face mask orders suggests…
Decline in COVID-19 Hospitalization Growth Rates Associated with Statewide Mask Mandates — 10 States, March–October 2020
Hospitals in states with statewide mask mandates reported a decline in weekly COVID-19–associated hospitalization growth rates by up to 5.5 percentage points for adults aged 18–64 years after mandate implementation, compared with growth rates during the 4 weeks preceding implementation of the mandate. Data were collected during March 22–October 17, 2020 in 10 sites participating…
Observed Face Mask Use at Six Universities — United States, September–November 2020
Among persons observed indoors in public settings at six universities with mask mandates, 92% wore masks correctly, according a study conducted during September–November 2020. Correct usage varied by mask type, with 97% for N95-type masks, 92% for cloth masks and 79% for bandanas, scarves, and similar face coverings. Barrios et al. (Feb 5, 2021). Observed…
February 2, 2021
Promoting Mask Use on TikTok: A Descriptive Study on Unconventional Approach to Public Health Education
Videos promoting mask use posted on the social media platform TikTok with the hashtag #WearAMask (n=100) received almost 10 times as many cumulative views as videos by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote mask use (n=32). Most of the #WearAMask videos used humor and dance to garner almost 500 million views. In contrast, the…
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