Mass masking as a way to contain COVID-19 and exit lockdown in low- and middle-income countries. Issue 3 (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Siewe Fodjo, Joseph Nelson; Pengpid, Supa; Villela, Edlaine Faria de Moura; Van Thang, Vo; Ahmed, Mohammed; Ditekemena, John; Crespo, Bernardo Vega; Wanyenze, Rhoda K; Dula, Janeth; Watanabe, Takashi; Delgado-Ratto, Christopher; Driessche, Koen Vanden; Van den Bergh, Rafael; Colebunders, Robert
• Is Part Of: Journal of infection. Volume 81:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: e1
• Page End: e5
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Prevention -- Face masks -- Lockdown -- Low- and middle-income countries -- World Health Organization; Infection -- Periodicals; Bacterial Infections -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.07.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-4453

Abstract

Highlights: Proper use of face masks by the general public can curtail COVID-19 transmission. The World Health Organization encourages countries to adopt mass masking policies. Targeted strategies can increase face mask use even in resource-limited settings. Impact of mass masking on COVID-19 transmission to be assessed via community trials. Efficacy of surgical vs cloth masks for COVID-19 warrants further investigations. Abstract: In new guidelines published on June 5th 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that in areas with ongoing COVID-19 community transmission, governments should encourage the general public to wear face masks in specific situations and settings as part of a comprehensive approach to suppress COVID-19 transmission. Recent online surveys in 206, 729 persons residing in nine low- and middle-income countries showed that 32.7%-99.7% of respondents used face masks with significant differences across age groups and sexes. Targeted health promotion strategies and government support are required to increase mask use by the general population.