In an article entitled "Masks save lives" the director of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Francis Collins reminds us that avoiding the transmission of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus using a face mask is necessary and scientifically proven.
The most important points of the article are summarized bellow:
Dr. Collins notes that we wear our masks outside the home not necessarily to protect ourselves but to protect others. Each of us can be an asymptomatic carrier of the virus and during the incubation period to transmit the virus to many infected people without knowing it.
But what is the degree of protection that the mask provides?
The mathematical model developed shows that if there was a universal application of a clothed mask in a community, it would lead to a significant reduction in deaths. The reason for this study was the different recommendations regarding the use of the mask both between different States in the USA and in different countries of the world. The researchers used the mathematical simulation model to study multiple scenarios of SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission in a population depending on the degree of mask use by the population.
Specifically, the main objective was to determine the number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 in each scenario. As expected, the total number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 decreased as the availability and use of a face mask increased. The researchers note that surgical masks should be given priority to nursing staff, while fabric masks are also quite effective and reduce COVID-19 mortality, especially when their application is widespread.
In addition, Dr. Collins notes that another recent study showed that although the purpose of the mask is primarily to prevent transmission from the wearer to others, it may also help reduce the viral load of SARS-CoV-2. which is accepted by the wearer, which can lead to a milder infection.
In conclusion, Dr. Collins urges us to never forget our mask when we leave home and become part of the effort to stop the transmission and save lives.
In these terrible times we are living we need to be careful. The virus might not harm us but is deadly for elders and people with health issues. We need to protect them by being careful.