Open AccessKeep your droplets to yourself: Universal use of face masks along with social distancing
Author(s) -
Helena Carvalho,
Daniel Contaifer,
Renata Rachide Nunes,
Juliana A. de Matos
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
brazilian journal of health and biomedical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2674-8207
DOI - 10.12957/bjhbs.2020.59715
Subject(s) - face masks , context (archaeology) , social distance , covid-19 , pandemic , chin , hygiene , face (sociological concept) , hand washing , personal hygiene , internet privacy , computer science , computer security , medicine , geography , sociology , disease , social science , archaeology , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , anatomy , family medicine
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses aroundthe world, the universal use of face masks imposes itself as ameasure to mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and iscurrently recommended by the World Health Organization.However, its effectiveness as a method of preventing COVID-19 is still controversial. Objective: To review the literatureon the universal use of facial masks, including fabric ones, andtheir recommendations for use. Methods: Narrative reviewof published studies on the topic. Results: Face masks act predominantlyas a source control mechanism, as they capturethe droplets expelled by the user when speaking, coughingor sneezing, protecting other people and the environmentfrom contamination by potentially infecting droplets. Evidenceof the effectiveness of its universal use as a method ofmitigating epidemics of viral respiratory infections is derivedfrom experimental studies and mathematical models. Properuse of facial masks is essential to ensure their effectivenessand prevent damage, and includes covering the nose, mouthand chin, washing the fabric masks with soap and water afteruse and hand hygiene several times a day, especially whenhandling the mask. Conclusions: The universal use of facialmasks in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is justified,especially considering the occurrence of virus transmissionin the pre-symptomatic period, and should be adopted inconjunction with other measures such as adequate socialdistance and hygiene from the hands, following the motto“I protect you and you protect me”.