Community Use of Face Masks against the Spread of COVID-19

Abstract

The role of face masks to prevent and control COVID-19 is critical, especially since asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic infected individuals can shed high loads of SARS-CoV-2 in the surrounding environment. In addition to being a two-way barrier to protect against virions droplets both in terms of “source control” (for the benefits of the community) and “physical protection” (for wearer), face masks also allow maintaining physiological temperatures and humidity of the nasal cavity and mouth, independently from the external environmental conditions. Beyond compromising the viral transmission speed, exposure to cold environments could have a detrimental effect on the host’s susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. The innate human immune system becomes in fact weaker with cooler nose temperatures and thus more vulnerable to viral replication. Furthermore, there is evidence that warm, humid climates are associated with reduced spread of SARS-CoV-2, while cold dry conditions favor its stability and transmissibility. In the early stage of a viral infection, a physiological body temperature in the upper airways supports the innate immune system, endorsing the muco-ciliary clearance, inhibiting, or deactivating any first settlement of viruses. Face masks are therefore strongly recommended also outdoors, especially under cold weather conditions, not only as a physical barrier against the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but also to prevent the rapid cooling of the nasal mucosa and the inhibition of the human innate defense of the upper airways.

Physicians’ Compliance with COVID-19 Regulations: The Role of Emotions and Trust

“…Primary preventive measures include wearing masks that cover the mouth and nose, regular hand washing, using hand sanitizers, and physical distancing [ 3 , 4 ]. During the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Israel, the Israeli Ministry of Health (MOH) issued guidelines for HCWs.…”

Estimated Mask Use and Temporal Relationship to COVID-19 Epidemiology of Black Lives Matter Protests in 12 Cities

“…It is important to note that outdoor mass gatherings have a lower risk of transmission than indoor ones, because respiratory aerosols dissipate outdoors, and the risk may be reduced even more by mask wearing [ 49 ]. The role of face masks outdoor not only acts as a physical barrier against SARS-CoV-2 but also maintains the temperature of the upper respiratory tract in cold environmental outdoor conditions, thus supporting the innate immune system of upper airways against pathogen threats, and there is increased evidence of the effectiveness of mask use in indoor settings for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection [ 22 , 50 ]. Protests also occurred in summer in Europe and America, and winter in Australia, where winters are mild.…”

The Attitudes of Children Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment toward Face Mask Wearing during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross Sectional Study

“…Despite parents’ initial concern about the possible harmful effects of wearing a face mask, studies have shown that both ventilation and oxygen intake have not been negatively affected [ 22 ]. The face mask covers the lower part of the face [ 23 ], including the teeth and, implicitly, the orthodontic appliances. Wearing a face mask could cause frustration due to the fact that the orthodontic appliances are no longer visible, as it is known that orthodontic appliances are often perceived as an elective luxury [ 24 ], and for children, the possibility of using colored elastic ligatures is one of the most appealing aspects during the orthodontic treatment [ 25 ].…”