scholarly journals COVID-19 and Face Mask Use: A St. Kitts Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (T1) ◽  
pp. 346-352
Author(s):  
Yulia Kungurova ◽  
Ritha Mera ◽  
Evelyn Brewster ◽  
Khalil Ali ◽  
Adegbenro O.J. Fakoya
Keyword(s):  
Public Education ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Face

BACKGROUND: Mask wearing in the COVID-19 pandemic was previously hypothesized as a protective symbol that decreases compliance with other measures such as face touching and social distancing. However, the face mask is now central to the prevention of viral spread. AIM: In this paper, we looked at the shift of guidelines regarding mask use and the mask-wearing adherence habits of the Kittitian population at the onset of the pandemic. METHODS: In this study, we observed 468 individuals, each for 5 min, for the different types of face masks used and their adherence to the Center for Disease Control guidelines for the use of this personal protective equipment. We did the observation at three different locations at Basseterre, St. Kitts, from the 21st to April 30, 2020. RESULTS: We noted that 49.31% had medical-grade masks (N95 and surgical), 36.11% had improvised masks, and 14.74% had no facial covering. About 34% of persons with masks were not correctly covering their nose or mouth and 16.45% were touching their face with their hands. Wearing any face-covering appears to lead to more face touching than no covering at 18.25% versus 5.8%. The highest proportion of errors was seen in wearers of surgical masks, leaving the mouth/ nose uncovered at 12.08% of all errors. CONCLUSION: We recommend for public education and political efforts to increase adherence to mask use in conjunction with other protective measures such as social distancing and hand washing for curbing the COVID-19 transmission in St. Kitts and Nevis.

scholarly journals Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Catching ◽  
Sara Capponi ◽  
Ming Te Yeh ◽  
Simone Bianco ◽  
Raul Andino
Keyword(s):  
Social Distance ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
The Face ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
High Virus

AbstractCOVID-19’s high virus transmission rates have caused a pandemic that is exacerbated by the high rates of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections. These factors suggest that face masks and social distance could be paramount in containing the pandemic. We examined the efficacy of each measure and the combination of both measures using an agent-based model within a closed space that approximated real-life interactions. By explicitly considering different fractions of asymptomatic individuals, as well as a realistic hypothesis of face masks protection during inhaling and exhaling, our simulations demonstrate that a synergistic use of face masks and social distancing is the most effective intervention to curb the infection spread. To control the pandemic, our models suggest that high adherence to social distance is necessary to curb the spread of the disease, and that wearing face masks provides optimal protection even if only a small portion of the population comply with social distance. Finally, the face mask effectiveness in curbing the viral spread is not reduced if a large fraction of population is asymptomatic. Our findings have important implications for policies that dictate the reopening of social gatherings.

scholarly journals Effect of Face Masks on Interpersonal Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nour Mheidly ◽  
Mohamad Y. Fares ◽  
Hussein Zalzale ◽  
Jawad Fares
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Face

Interpersonal communication has been severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Protective measures, such as social distancing and face masks, are essential to mitigate efforts against the virus, but pose challenges on daily face-to-face communication. Face masks, particularly, muffle sounds and cover facial expressions that ease comprehension during live communication. Here, we explore the role of facial expressions in communication and we highlight how the face mask can hinder interpersonal connection. In addition, we offer coping strategies and skills that can ease communication with face masks as we navigate the current and any future pandemic.

scholarly journals The use of the respiratory protective devices by the population during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 527-532
Author(s):  
Ekaterina A. Shashina ◽  
Denis V. Shcherbakov ◽  
Tatiana S. Isiutina-Fedotkova ◽  
Valentina V. Makarova ◽  
Vitaly A. Sukhov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Face Mask ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Respiratory Protection ◽  
Protective Devices ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Respiratory Protective Devices ◽  
The Face ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Spread Of Infection

Introduction. Wearing a face mask is an important measure against spread of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the study was to analyze various aspects of the face masks use by the population during the pandemic. The questioner was used. Results. Almost all respondents (96.4%) wore respiratory protective devices during the pandemic; 91.4% respondents worn face masks visiting grocery stores, pharmacies and medical organizations; 64.0% - visiting non-food trade facilities; 76.9% - travelling by surface transport, and 76.1% - being on the subway. Different types of face masks were used, 93.3% of respondents used disposable medical mask, 25.4% - reusable cloth masks. However, only 44.8% of respondents indicated that their protective equipment was made of non-woven material; 26.1% did not know how many layers their protective equipment contained; about a third of respondents (20.1% - 30.21%) were not able to assess the effectiveness of different types of respiratory protection. A third of the respondents (33.6%) wore a disposable medical mask for 2 hours, 35.2% - more than 2 hours in one day, 28.0% - for several days. Conclusions. Most of the respondents wore the face mask. Disposable medical masks were most commonly used. Requirements for the duration of wearing of face masks were met by about third of the respondents, for the handling - half of the respondents. Spontaneous choice of face mask by respondents confirms the importance of the development of hygiene guideline for choosing the most effective respiratory protection.

scholarly journals Use of face mask in COVID-19 pandemic-a review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 3750
Author(s):  
Santosh Kumar Swain ◽  
Pragnya Paramita Jena
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Minimum Cost ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
The World ◽  
The Face

The current novel corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease of the respiratory tract and rapidly spreading all over the world in short span of time. In current COVID-19 pandemic, use of the face mask is becoming usual and ubiquitous for both health care workers and public individuals. Wearing face mask is one of the non-pharmaceutical interventions which need minimum cost and provide dramatic response for preventing the COVID-19 infection. Limited availability of the vaccine and inadequate supply of therapeutic options, face mask use is an important part for public health measures for restricting the COVID-19 spread. Regardless of the debate among medical community regarding global face mask production shortage, a greater number of countries in the world are moving ahead with recommendations or mandates for using face mask in public. As currently global shortage of N95/FFP2 respirators and surgical masks for use by health care workers in the hospitals, simple cloth masks will act as a pragmatic solution for the use of the public. General public often use the surgical mask or even filtering facepiece (FFP) masks irrespective of their need, resulting unnecessary shortage for needy individuals those are exposed to the patients or those are health care workers. So, this review article will clarify the indication of the different types of masks and their rational use in the current COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Making cotton face masks extra-protective by use of impervious cloth as the front layer to restrict flow of aerosols and droplets

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka L Shahane-Kapse ◽  
Moreshwar R Shende ◽  
Sumit Kar ◽  
Pradeep Deshmukh ◽  
Dhiraj Bhandari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Layer ◽  
Middle Layer ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
The Other ◽  
Outer Side ◽  
Carbol Fuchsin ◽  
Triple Layer ◽  
Impervious Layer ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
The Face

Introduction: One of the important measures to prevent spread of COVID-19 in community is use of face mask. Though the debate is going on regarding the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 it makes reasonable point for universal use of face masks. A large variety of face masks are available in the market or people can make their own using household items. The efficacy of masks depends upon the type of cloth and number of layers of the cloth. Material and methods: We have created an innovative mask with two layers of cotton and an impervious layer. The impervious layer made from polypropylene coated with polyurethane was applied on the outer side in the middle half of the mask in front of mouth and nose. The efficacy of this test mask was measured against N95FFR (reference standard), triple layer surgical masks and single layer cotton mask. A manikin was used wearing these masks/respirator and aerosols/droplets of diluted red colored carbol fuchsin and fluorescent Auramine O were sprayed from distance of 1m and 2m. We also tested use of face shield. Both macroscopic and microscopic examination of the dissected masks and respirator was performed. Results: The N95FFR was able to block the aerosols/droplets by its front layer. One triple layer surgical mask showed microscopic presence of stain in its innermost layer while the other blocked it with middle layer. The single layer cotton mask was not able to protect as we observed stain on the face itself. The test mask blocked most of the stain on impervious layer and also on the front cotton layer on lateral sides, where impervious layer was absent. When fluorescent stain was used, ultraviolet examination demonstrated that the whole area covered by test mask was clean while the other non covered area was fluorescent. Conclusion: We believe that our innovation can be used in the community as well as in general areas of the hospital like, offices, labs, etc. and can be a better alternative to single use triple layer surgical masks. Further testing may be done by other organizations to rule out bias in our study.

scholarly journals Face masks as layers of meaning in times of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
pp. 1354067X2095754
Author(s):  
Luca Tateo
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Cultural Psychology ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
The Other ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Way

The pandemic of COVID-19 has brought to the front a particular object: the face mask. I have explored the way people make-meaning of an object generally associated with the medical context that, under exceptional circumstances, can become a presence in everyday life. Understanding how people make meaning of their use is important. Using cultural psychology, I analyse preferences toward different types of face masks people would wear in public. The study involved 2 groups, 44 Norwegian university students and 60 international academics. In particular, I have focused on the role of the mask in regulating people affective experience. The mask evokes safety and fear, it mediates in the auto-dialogue between “I” and “Me” through the “Other”, and in the hetero-dialogue between “I” and the “Other” through “Me” The dialogue is characterized by a certain ambivalence, as expected. Meaning-making is indeed the way to deal with the ambivalence of human existence.

scholarly journals The SARS-CoV-2 viral load in COVID-19 patients is lower on face mask filters than on nasopharyngeal swabs

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Smolinska ◽  
David S. Jessop ◽  
Kirk L. Pappan ◽  
Alexandra De Saedeleer ◽  
Amerjit Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Home Testing ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
The Face ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

AbstractFace masks and personal respirators are used to curb the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory droplets; filters embedded in some personal protective equipment could be used as a non-invasive sample source for applications, including at-home testing, but information is needed about whether filters are suited to capture viral particles for SARS-CoV-2 detection. In this study, we generated inactivated virus-laden aerosols of 0.3–2 microns in diameter (0.9 µm mean diameter by mass) and dispersed the aerosolized viral particles onto electrostatic face mask filters. The limit of detection for inactivated coronaviruses SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-NL63 extracted from filters was between 10 to 100 copies/filter for both viruses. Testing for SARS-CoV-2, using face mask filters and nasopharyngeal swabs collected from hospitalized COVID-19-patients, showed that filter samples offered reduced sensitivity (8.5% compared to nasopharyngeal swabs). The low concordance of SARS-CoV-2 detection between filters and nasopharyngeal swabs indicated that number of viral particles collected on the face mask filter was below the limit of detection for all patients but those with the highest viral loads. This indicated face masks are unsuitable to replace diagnostic nasopharyngeal swabs in COVID-19 diagnosis. The ability to detect nucleic acids on face mask filters may, however, find other uses worth future investigation.

scholarly journals Sources of Care Stress of Nursing Staff for Patients with Infectious Diseases during the Prevalence of COVID-19: A Case Study of Some Regional Teaching Hospitals in Southern Taiwan

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
Yichao Huang ◽  
Lichen Yu
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Epidemic Period ◽  
The Face ◽  
Southern Taiwan

(1) Background: The COVID-19 epidemic had caused more than 100 million confirmed cases worldwide by the end of January 2021. The focus of this study was to explore which stress was felt the most by nursing staff in isolation wards in the face of dangerous infectious diseases. (2) Methods: Nursing staff in negative pressure isolation wards were taken as the research objects. The sources of stress were divided into 14 items in three categories, namely, patient care, infection protection, and support system, and the questionnaire results were ranked by a Gaussian curve. (3) Results: Even during the COVID-19 epidemic, nurses in isolation wards still consider that the clinical symptoms of patients in isolation wards cannot be closely tracked as the primary consideration. (4) Conclusions: During the epidemic period, the ability and confidence of nursing staff were strengthened through education and training, and their chances of infection were reduced through comprehensive vaccination and the improvement of protective equipment. In the face of the unstable mood of patients and their families due to isolation, more protective measures should be prepared for nursing staff. In order to relieve the stress, supervisors can adjust the nursing manpower timely according to the difficulty and risk of patient care to reduce the care stress.

scholarly journals Graphene nanoplatelet and Graphene oxide functionalization of face mask materials inhibits infectivity of trapped SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio De Maio ◽  
Valentina Palmieri ◽  
Gabriele Babini ◽  
Alberto Augello ◽  
Ivana Palucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Physical Barrier ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Functionalized Materials ◽  
The Face ◽  
Rna And Dna

Recent advancements in bidimensional nanoparticles such as Graphene nanoplatelets (G) and the derivative Graphene oxide (GO) have the potential to meet the need for highly functional personal protective equipment (PPE) that confers increased protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and the spread COVID-19. The ability of G and GO to interact with and bind microorganisms as well as RNA and DNA provides an opportunity to develop engineered textiles for use in PPE. The face masks widely used in health care and other high-risk settings for COVID transmission provide only a physical barrier that decreases likelihood of infection and do not inactivate the virus. Here, we show pre-incubation of viral particles with free GO inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of VERO cells. Highly relevant to PPE materials, when either polyurethane or cotton material was loaded with G or GO and culture medium containing SARS-CoV-2 viral particles either filtered through or incubated with the functionalized materials, the infectivity of the medium was nearly completely inhibited. The findings presented here constitute an important nanomaterials-based strategy to significantly increase face mask and other PPE efficacy in protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 that may be applicable to additional anti-SARS-CoV-2 measures including water filtration, air purification, and diagnostics.

scholarly journals Aerosol blocking assessment by different types of fabrics for homemade respiratory masks: spectroscopy and imaging study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Denari Giuliani ◽  
Mauricio Foschini ◽  
Adamo Ferreira Gomes Monte ◽  
Ana Caroline Moreira Mendes ◽  
Alexandre Maletta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Imaging Study ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Spectroscopic Techniques ◽  
Scattering Of Light ◽  
Number Of Layers ◽  
Health Area ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
Different Types

Objectives: Due to the crisis in protective equipment caused by a pandemic, it generates needs for equipment rationing among professionals working in the health area, with the need for many health professionals to use homemade masks. Therefore, this is a comparative study regarding the relative efficiencies of commercial respiratory masks (medical masks) and homemade fabric masks.Methods: A liquid aerosol line was created that passes through a chamber with 6 optical windows that allows the fixation of tissue or masks in the aerosol flow. The measures used two spectroscopic techniques that made it possible to relate the amount of aerosols with the scattering of light..Results: Fabrics with a higher percentage of cotton, and a greater number of layers and more closed wefts proved to be more efficient in blocking aerosols, however, fabrics without treatments obtained results far below the real needs of professionals working in the health area, with efficiency below 75% for liquid aerosols among the tissues tested.Conclusion: Homemade masks prove to be effective in reducing the spread of the virus among ordinary citizens in past infections, the efficiency of homemade masks is very low for health professionals who are directly exposed to the biological agent, so, it is necessary for public administrations to seek new alternatives with greater efficiency for this type of professional during the absence of surgical masks and n95.

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