The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC urges public to wear masks to get coronavirus pandemic in the US under control.
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, believes the spread of the virus can be under control in one to two months if every American wore a mask.
“The time is now,” he said during an interview with the Journal of the American Medical Association’s Dr. Howard Bauchner. “I think if we could get everybody to wear a mask right now I think in four, six, eight weeks we could bring this epidemic under control.”
Along with the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC calls on everyone to wear masks as a way to curb the spread of the virus. Data compiled by Johns Hopkins University showed that Covid-19 infected more than 13 million people across the world and killed at least 574,600 as of Tuesday.
“I think we’re being very clear now,” Redfield stressed. “Now’s the time to wear a mask.”
Scientists explain that respiratory droplets, through one’s coughing or sneezing, can spread the virus. Studies emphasize the role of masks in hindering the spread of coronavirus infection.
Airborne transmission
Moreover, some researchers note that the coronavirus could be transmitted through aerosolized droplets, or particles that travel by air, especially in places with poor ventilation.
WHO announced last week that airborne transmission of coronavirus could happen mostly in poorly ventilated spaces indoors but stressed the need for further research to be certain.
Masks are deemed important in stopping infection if the virus does travel by air in such environments. The CDC published a new study that suggests making face coverings a requirement in different states to contain the spread of the virus. The study examined two Missouri hair stylists who were infected with Covid-19 but did not transmit it to their customers.
“With the potential for presymptomatic and asymptomatic transmission, widespread adoption of policies requiring face coverings in public settings should be considered to reduce the impact and magnitude of additional waves of COVID-19,” the study published by the CDC said.
President Donald Trump criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House health advisor, and other federal health authorities for not asking the broader public to don masks earlier in the coronavirus outbreak.
Trump told Fox News, “Dr. Fauci’s a nice man, but he’s made a lot of mistakes.”
“They’ve been wrong about a lot of things, including face masks,” he said. “Maybe they’re wrong, maybe not. A lot of them said don’t wear a mask, don’t wear a mask. Now they’re saying wear a mask. A lot of mistakes were made, a lot of mistakes.”
On Saturday, Trump was seen wearing a mask in public for the first time during his visit at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Effectiveness
A study published in the medical journal The Lancet suggested that Social distancing and wearing of masks found effective in reducing Covid-19 risk.
When it comes to social distancing, the chance of virus transmission at a distance of less than 1 meter was 12.8%. However, that becomes 2.6% at a distance of more than one meter. What is more effective is distances of two meters. The veracity of the evidence appeared “moderate.”
For face masks, the likelihood of transmission without a face mask or respirator was 17.4%. That became 3.1% when a mask was worn. Meanwhile, the certainty of the evidence was found “low.”
