Open AccessMASKS − PROTECTION OR DANGER? ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE ORDER TO COVER MOUTH AND NOSE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Author(s) -
Katarzyna Krzyżak,
Klaudia Ewa Kościelecka,
Aleksandra Joanna Kuć,
Daria Małgorzata Kubik,
Tomasz Męcik-Kronenberg
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
wiadomości lekarskie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.133
H-Index - 14
eISSN - 2719-342X
pISSN - 0043-5147
DOI - 10.36740/wlek202008110
Subject(s) - cover (algebra) , pandemic , order (exchange) , nose , covid-19 , scientific evidence , isolation (microbiology) , transmission (telecommunications) , psychology , medicine , public relations , internet privacy , business , political science , disease , computer science , engineering , surgery , mechanical engineering , philosophy , microbiology and biotechnology , finance , pathology , epistemology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , biology , telecommunications
Current information suggests the existence of two main transmission routes for SARS-CoV-2. This is the drip trajectory and contact transmission. The order to cover the mouth and nose in the public space has been introduced as one of the preventive measures to limit the spread of some virus-induced respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Both medical and non-medical masks have become the most popular tool. Is there any evidence of their effectiveness? What can be the disadvantages of using them?The aim: To analyze social behaviour towards the order to cover the nose and mouth during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to confront them with the results of research onthe effectiveness of medical and non-medical masks.Material and methods: The study involved a group of 2512 respondents from all over Poland. The research tool was an original questionnaire containing 24 questions.Results: 76.1% of the respondents declare that they always obey the current order. 83% use a material mask and 26.9% wear a surgical mask. 35.2% of respondents think thatthe order to cover their nose and mouth is not justified.Conclusions: The authors confronted the results of the questionnaire with the scientific research mentioned above. There is limited evidence to resolve the question – “Masks- protection or danger?” However, it is worth noting the small harmfulness and indirect evidence of benefits, which together have precedence over the lack of clear argumentssupporting the use of masks by Polish society in times of epidemics.