Cloth face masks to prevent Covid-19 and other respiratory infections

Lima, Magda Milleyde de Sousa; Cavalcante, Francisco Marcelo Leandro; Macêdo, Thamires Sales; Neto, Nelson Miguel Galindo; Caetano, Joselany Áfio; Barros, Lívia Moreira

doi:10.1590/1518-8345.4537.3353

Cited by 24 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…However, depending on the type of face masks, the protection rate varies from 33 to 100% in the process of expiratory emissions [ 13 ]. For example, cloth face masks have moderate efficacy in the prevention of the disseminated respiratory infections resulting from particles of the same size or smaller than those of COVID-19 [ 17 ]. Therefore, many countries have enforced the use of face masks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community practice of using face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Naam¹,

Elsafi²,

Alkharraz³

et al. 2021

PLoS ONE

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Community face masking is possibly of great value in reducing COVID-19 transmission, especially when universally adopted with high compliance. The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge, common misconceptions, barriers, and the compliance of the community with the use of face masks for the prevention of COVID-19. A validated questionnaire was administered to the participants through a web link by using various social media. The collected data were statistically analyzed for significant differences according to demographic variables. The average knowledge of face masks and their role in preventing COVID-19 transmission was 95.64%, with no differences among most of the demographical factors. Older groups and females demonstrated a better attitude towards wearing face masks than other groups did (p<0.001). Another significant difference in the participant’s attitude was noticed between the various educational levels, employment, and nationality (p<0.001). Of the total respondents, 88.2% encouraged wearing face masks. Misconceptions about wearing face masks were very low. The frequency of wearing face masks at public places, workplaces, or social gatherings was 87.2%, 80.5%, and 47.5% respectively. There was a significant variation in the compliance with wearing face masks between the various groups based on age, gender, nationality, and employment status (p<0.001). The inconvenience in wearing face masks was reported by 36.3%. Face irritation and ear pain were reported by 70.2% and 43.5%, respectively. The inconvenience of wearing face masks with eyeglasses was reported by 44.3% of those wearing eyeglasses. In general, the study demonstrated a good attitude among participants towards wearing face masks. Although the respondents in the study were aware of the benefits of wearing face masks, the barriers may have decreased their desire to do so. These barriers include difficulty in breathing, discomfort, face irritation, and ear pain.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community practice of using face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Naam¹,

Elsafi²,

Alkharraz³

et al. 2021

PLoS ONE

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“…Cloth face masks over the mouth and nose of the speaker have been proven to reduce the spread of oral or nasal fluid droplets. 10 Depending on the fabric used, cloth face masks also promote aerosol filtration 3 and prevent respiratory infection 3,11,12,13 as suggested by fewer self-reports of COVID-19 symptoms in our study. Despite cloth face masks having been promoted because of the unavailability of surgical masks, they are an effective and cheap way of self-protection against SARS-CoV-2.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Face Mask Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak: How Did Educated Brazilians Behave?

2021

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Purpose: To describe Brazilians’ behavior regarding face mask use and health literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic before and after the Ministry of Health of Brazil formal recommendation. Design: Cross-sectional surveys using a web-based questionnaire. Participants were recruited via snowball techniques. Setting: São Paulo state, the urban epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil at the time of the study. Participants: 2.203 clicks to the survey link and 1.223 surveys completed (55.5% response rate). However, only 1118 surveys were considered after the exclusion criteria (>18 years-old and consent). Measures: Demographics, educational status, COVID-19-related symptoms (headache, cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, fever, asthenia, diarrhea, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, anosmia, and ageusia), and face mask use. Analysis: Self-reports of COVID-19 symptoms were categorized as dichotomous variables (Cohen’s h = 0.94). Pearson Chi-square test evaluated differences between T1 and T2 and logistic multiple regression analyzed odds-ratio for the presence of symptoms and independent variables. Results: Face mask use increased from 43.60% in T1 to 90.52% in T2 ( P < .0001) as the pandemic went on. Health literacy also changed within 2 weeks and people started to assume everybody should use face masks (62.93% in T1 vs 94.12% in T2; P < .0001; ES = 0.29) during outside activities (43.60% in T1 vs 90.52% in T2; P < .0001; ES = 0.39). Self-reports of face mask use were associated with fewer self-reports of COVID-19 symptoms (OR = 0.65, P = .01, 95% CI 0.48; 0.88). Conclusion: Face mask use was already high among educated Brazilians before the formal recommendation by the authorities. This may have contributed to fewer self-reports of COVID-19-related symptoms.

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“…Copper, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc in tea are the integral part of the innate immune response [ 175 ]. It has been demonstrated that vitamins, minerals and other bioactive compounds in tea have potential roles in interfering with spike glycoproteins and angiotensin converting enzyme 2, thus mitigating the spread of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic [ 176 ]. Molecular dynamics simulations and Molecular Mechanics-Poisson Boltzman Surface Area (MM-PBSA) studies suggested oolonghomobisflavan-A as a potential bioactive molecule to act as an inhibitor of the Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 [ 177 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tea and tea drinking: China’s outstanding contributions to the mankind

et al. 2022

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Background Tea trees originated in southwest China 60 million or 70 million years ago. Written records show that Chinese ancestors had begun drinking tea over 3000 years ago. Nowadays, with the aging of populations worldwide and more people suffering from non-communicable diseases or poor health, tea beverages have become an inexpensive and fine complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. At present, there are 3 billion people who like to drink tea in the world, but few of them actually understand tea, especially on its development process and the spiritual and cultural connotations. Methods We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, and other relevant platforms with the key word “tea”, and reviewed and analyzed tea-related literatures and pictures in the past 40 years about tea’s history, culture, customs, experimental studies, and markets. Results China is the hometown of tea, tea trees, tea drinking, and tea culture. China has the oldest wild and planted tea trees in the world, fossil of a tea leaf from 35,400,000 years ago, and abundant tea-related literatures and art works. Moreover, tea may be the first Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) used by Chinese people in ancient times. Tea drinking has many benefits to our physical health via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-regulatory, anticancer, cardiovascular-protective, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity activities. At the moment, COVID-19 is wreaking havoc across the globe and causing severe damages to people’s health and lives. Tea has anti-COVID-19 functions via the enhancement of the innate immune response and inhibition of viral growth. Besides, drinking tea can allow people to acquire a peaceful, relaxed, refreshed and cheerful enjoyment, and even longevity. According to the meridian theory of traditional Chinese medicine, different kinds of tea can activate different meridian systems in the human body. At present, black tea (fermented tea) and green tea (non-fermented tea) are the most popular in the world. Black tea accounts for over 90% of all teas sold in western countries. The world’s top-grade black teas include Qi Men black in China, Darjeeling and Assam black tea in India, and Uva black tea in Sri Lanka. However, all top ten famous green teas in the world are produced in China, and Xi Hu Long Jing tea is the most famous among all green teas. More than 700 different kinds of components and 27 mineral elements can be found in tea. Tea polyphenols and theaflavin/thearubigins are considered to be the major bioactive components of black tea and green tea, respectively. Overly strong or overheated tea liquid should be avoided when drinking tea. Conclusions Today, CAM provides an array of treatment modalities for the health promotion in both developed and developing countries all over the world. Tea drinking, a simple herb-based CAM therapy, has become a popular man-made non-alcoholic beverage widely consumed worldwide, and it can improve the growth of economy as well. Tea can improve our physical and mental health and promote the harmonious development of society through its chemical and cultural elements.

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Cloth face masks to prevent Covid-19 and other respiratory infections

Cited by 24 publications

References 25 publications

Community practice of using face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Community practice of using face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Face Mask Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak: How Did Educated Brazilians Behave?

Tea and tea drinking: China’s outstanding contributions to the mankind

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