Open AccessProtection From COVID-19: The Efficacy of Face Masks
Author(s) -
Christoph Josef Hemmer,
Frank T. Hufert,
Stefan Siewert,
Emil C. Reisinger
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
deutsches ärzteblatt international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.436
H-Index - 60
ISSN - 1866-0452
DOI - 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0119
Subject(s) - medicine , face masks , nose , covid-19 , population , transmission (telecommunications) , randomized controlled trial , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , virology , environmental health , outbreak , surgery , electrical engineering , engineering
Since the beginning of 2020 the SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread to nearly every country in the world. The mainly airborne pathogen has led to large numbers of deaths, principally in elderly and vulnerable segments of the population. Protective vaccines have recently become available, but it is not yet clear whether and when population-wide immunity will be achieved. The existence of evidence for the protective effect of masks covering the mouth and nose is a topic of public debate.