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Annali Di Igiene : Medicina Preventiva... 2021Health authorities and organizations consider non-medical face masks as an additional passive means to prevent virus diffusion. Communication strategies disseminate... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Health authorities and organizations consider non-medical face masks as an additional passive means to prevent virus diffusion. Communication strategies disseminate information among the population that such masks are essential for mitigating virus diffusion. However, scientific studies are not conclusive in showing the undisputed filtration efficiency of fabric/cloth facial masks (both commercial and homemade).
OBJECTIVES
This study examines scientific data about the effectiveness of face masks before and during the COVID-19 emergency. Present trends in the making of commercial and homemade fabric/cloth face masks are also examined.
METHODS
Statistical data of published studies are analyzed and compared. Main considerations and sugge-stions are also extracted and discussed. Current approaches are examined for assessing the characteristics and effectiveness of fabric/cloth commercial and homemade face masks intended for the population.
RESULTS
Conflicting data exist as to whether non-medical masks have a protective effect from the spread of respiratory viruses. Both medical masks (MDs) and respiratory personal protection equipment (PPE) show a given effectiveness value.
CONCLUSION
Concerning commercial and homemade fabric/cloth masks, giving general indications on the choice of materials and their assemblage is difficult as it is not possible to assess the effectiveness of the filter media with respect to the kind of multiphase fluid that may be emitted upon breathing, sneezing, or coughing under different environmental conditions. This is particularly important because airflow rate, temperature, humidity, and duration of use will affect the performance of filter media. Moreover, while a mask may have excellent filter media, droplets may leak into the face-piece unless there is an adequate facial seal. In the presence of leaks, any type of mask may actually offer less protection independently of its nominal filtering effìciency.
Topics: Aerosols; Air Microbiology; COVID-19; Cough; Equipment Design; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Filtration; Humans; Humidity; Masks; Polypropylenes; Respiration; SARS-CoV-2; Sneezing; Temperature; Textiles
PubMed: 33258868
DOI: 10.7416/ai.2020.2390 -
The American Journal of Medicine Nov 2022
Topics: Humans; Masks; Equipment Design; Policy
PubMed: 35820454
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.06.014 -
Journal of General Internal Medicine Nov 2020
Topics: Humans; Masks
PubMed: 32909228
DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06095-4 -
PloS One 2020Efficient strategies to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are peremptory to relieve the negatively impacted public health and global economy, with...
Efficient strategies to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are peremptory to relieve the negatively impacted public health and global economy, with the full scope yet to unfold. In the absence of highly effective drugs, vaccines, and abundant medical resources, many measures are used to manage the infection rate and avoid exhausting limited hospital resources. Wearing masks is among the non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) measures that could be effectively implemented at a minimum cost and without dramatically disrupting social practices. The mask-wearing guidelines vary significantly across countries. Regardless of the debates in the medical community and the global mask production shortage, more countries and regions are moving forward with recommendations or mandates to wear masks in public. Our study combines mathematical modeling and existing scientific evidence to evaluate the potential impact of the utilization of normal medical masks in public to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. We consider three key factors that contribute to the effectiveness of wearing a quality mask in reducing the transmission risk, including the mask aerosol reduction rate, mask population coverage, and mask availability. We first simulate the impact of these three factors on the virus reproduction number and infection attack rate in a general population. Using the intervened viral transmission route by wearing a mask, we further model the impact of mask-wearing on the epidemic curve with increasing mask awareness and availability. Our study indicates that wearing a face mask can be effectively combined with social distancing to flatten the epidemic curve. Wearing a mask presents a rational way to implement as an NPI to combat COVID-19. We recognize our study provides a projection based only on currently available data and estimates potential probabilities. As such, our model warrants further validation studies.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Humans; Infection Control; Masks; Models, Theoretical; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 32797067
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237691 -
ACS Nano Apr 2022We introduce a stretchable electronic facial mask (SEFM) as a platform for facial healthcare, which can integrate with various sensors and actuators. As a demonstration,...
We introduce a stretchable electronic facial mask (SEFM) as a platform for facial healthcare, which can integrate with various sensors and actuators. As a demonstration, an SEFM for sonophoresis enabling the promotion of the delivery effect of a drug mask is developed. To overcome the technique challenges, several approaches including the design of the joined silicone layer by two planar half-face portions and the single-side soft pressing (SSSP) technique for encapsulation are exploited in this work, which could be extended to the design and fabrication of other stretchable electronics. The mechanical, thermal, electrical, and ultrasonic characteristics of the SEFM are all verified by the finite element analysis and experiments. Finally, we prove the effect of the SEFM on accelerating the delivery of hyaluronic acid (HA) through animal experiments and confirm that the SEFM can enhance the skin moisture content by 20% via human facial experiments.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Wearable Electronic Devices; Masks; Electronics; Skin
PubMed: 35363481
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c11181 -
Sleep Medicine Clinics Jun 2020Patient interface preference is a key factor in positive airway pressure compliance. Local side effects are common. Proper mask fitting and patient education are... (Review)
Review
Patient interface preference is a key factor in positive airway pressure compliance. Local side effects are common. Proper mask fitting and patient education are important. Masks should seal well and fit comfortably. Nasal, nasal pillow, and oronasal masks can be effective interfaces. Most patients with obstructive sleep apnea prefer a nasal mask. Oronasal masks can be a useful alternative. Nasal pillows can reduce mask size and improve comfort. Oronasal masks may require a higher pressure. A significantly lower pressure may be effective with a nasal interface. Proper mask fitting requires testing the mask seal under the treatment pressure.
Topics: Humans; Masks; Patient Compliance; Positive-Pressure Respiration; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
PubMed: 32386696
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2020.02.008 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Dec 2021Management of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has relied in part on the use of personal protective equipment... (Review)
Review
Management of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has relied in part on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Face masks, as a representative example of PPE, have made a particularly significant contribution. However, most commonly used face masks are made of materials lacking inactivation properties against either SARS-CoV-2 or multidrug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals wearing masks can still infect others due to viable microbial loads escaping from the masks. Moreover, microbial contact transmission can occur by touching the mask, and the discarded masks are an increasing source of contaminated biological waste and a serious environmental threat. For this reason, during the current pandemic, many researchers have worked to develop face masks made of advanced materials with intrinsic antimicrobial, self-cleaning, reusable, and/or biodegradable properties, thereby providing extra protection against pathogens in a sustainable manner. To overview this segment of the remarkable efforts against COVID-19, this review describes the different types of commercialized face masks, their main fabrication methods and treatments, and the progress achieved in face mask development.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Biodegradation, Environmental; COVID-19; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Humans; Masks; Recycling; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34797624
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c12227 -
Anxiety, Stress, and Coping Sep 2021A unique feature of the global coronavirus pandemic has been the widespread adoption of mask-wearing as a public health measure to minimize the risk of contagion. Little... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A unique feature of the global coronavirus pandemic has been the widespread adoption of mask-wearing as a public health measure to minimize the risk of contagion. Little is known about the effects of increased mask-wearing on social interactions, social anxiety, or overall mental health.
OBJECTIVES
Explore the potential effects of mask-wearing on social anxiety.
DESIGN
We review existing literatures to highlight three preselected sets of factors that may be important in shaping the effects of mask-wearing on social anxiety. These are: (a) people's perceptions of the social norms associated with wearing masks; (b) people's experiences of the degree to which masks prevent accurate interpretation of social and emotional cues; and (c) people's use of masks as a type of that enables self-concealment.
METHODS
APA PsycNet and PubMed were searched principally between September and November 2020 for articles describing the relationship between social anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, ambiguous feedback, and safety behavior use and for research on the relationship between mask-wearing and social norms and social interactions. Information identified as relevant from articles of interest was extracted and included in our review.
RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS
The effects of mask-wearing on social anxiety are likely to be substantial and clinically relevant.
Topics: Anxiety; COVID-19; Health Behavior; Humans; Masks; Social Interaction; Social Norms
PubMed: 34074171
DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2021.1929936 -
PloS One 2022To quantify changes in adherence to mask and distancing guidelines in outdoor settings in Philadelphia, PA before and after President Trump announced he was infected...
OBJECTIVES
To quantify changes in adherence to mask and distancing guidelines in outdoor settings in Philadelphia, PA before and after President Trump announced he was infected with COVID-19.
METHODS
We used Systematic Observation of Masking Adherence and Distancing (SOMAD) to assess mask adherence in parks, playgrounds, and commercial streets in the 10 City Council districts in Philadelphia PA. We compared adherence rates between August and September 2020 and after October 2, 2020.
RESULTS
Disparities in mask adherence existed by age group, gender, and race/ethnicity, with females wearing masks correctly more often than males, seniors having higher mask use than other age groups, and Asians having higher adherence than other race/ethnicities. Correct mask use did not increase after the City released additional mask guidance in September but did after Oct 2. Incorrect mask use also decreased, but the percentage not having masks at all was unchanged.
CONCLUSIONS
Vulnerability of leadership appears to influence population behavior. Public health departments likely need more resources to effectively and persuasively communicate critical safety messages related to COVID-19 transmission.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; COVID-19; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Guideline Adherence; Humans; Male; Masks; Middle Aged; Philadelphia; Physical Distancing; Public Health; SARS-CoV-2; Young Adult
PubMed: 35020749
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261398 -
Anaesthesia Oct 2019
Topics: Cohort Studies; Humans; Laryngeal Masks; Masks; Respiration
PubMed: 31106854
DOI: 10.1111/anae.14703