Mask use during COVID-19: A risk adjusted strategy

Jiao Wang; Lijun Pan; Song Tang; John S Ji; Xiaoming Shi

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115099

Mask use during COVID-19: A risk adjusted strategy

Environ Pollut. 2020 Nov;266(Pt 1):115099. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115099. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Authors

Jiao Wang¹, Lijun Pan¹, Song Tang², John S Ji³, Xiaoming Shi⁴

Affiliations

¹ China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China.
² China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China.
³ Environmental Research Center, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu, 215316, China; Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
⁴ China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China. Electronic address: shixm@chinacdc.cn.

Abstract

In the context of Coronavirus Disease (2019) (COVID-19) cases globally, there is a lack of consensus across cultures on whether wearing face masks is an effective physical intervention against disease transmission. This study 1) illustrates transmission routes of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); 2) addresses controversies surrounding the mask from perspectives of attitude, effectiveness, and necessity of wearing the mask with evidence that the use of mask would effectively interrupt the transmission of infectious diseases in both hospital settings and community settings; and 3) provides suggestion that the public should wear the mask during COVID-19 pandemic according to local context. To achieve this goal, government should establish a risk adjusted strategy of mask use to scientifically publicize the use of masks, guarantee sufficient supply of masks, and cooperate for reducing health resources inequities.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019; Effectiveness; Infectivity; Necessity; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Betacoronavirus
COVID-19
Coronavirus Infections*
Coronavirus*
Humans
Masks*
Pandemics*
Pneumonia, Viral*
Risk Adjustment*
SARS-CoV-2