Open AccessFace masks are an essential tool to mitigate the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: a call to action
Author(s) -
Puya Dehgani-Mobaraki,
Asad Zaidi,
Jack Levy
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
rhinology online
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2589-5613
DOI - 10.4193/rhinol/20.065
Subject(s) - pandemic , transmission (telecommunications) , declaration , covid-19 , contact tracing , call to action , public health , disease , medicine , medical emergency , intensive care medicine , internet privacy , business , political science , computer science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , advertising , telecommunications , nursing , pathology , law
Over the past several months, an increasing volume of infor- mation has expanded awareness regarding the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus associated with COVID-19. Following the pandemic declaration by the World Health Orga- nization (WHO), global authorities immediately took measures to reduce the transmission and subsequent morbidity associa- ted with this highly contagious disease. However, despite initial success in “flattening the curve” of viral transmission, many areas of the world are currently experiencing an increase in com- munity transmission, threatening to replicate the early public health emergencies experienced by Italy (1,2). In addition, the possibility of contact tracing through geosocial applications and public service platforms have been met with variable interest (3). Given current spread and the upcoming influenza season, it is essential that we use our voices as experts in upper airway health and disease to educate and encourage all communities to adopt appropriate protective measures, including the routine use of facemasks.