Abstract
Following the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there have been debates among scientific communities, officials, and the public about the role of the mask in controlling and preventing this disease. Nonetheless, there are some ambiguities regarding various aspects of the mask which are still important to be addressed, including the type of the mask to be used, the situation in which the mask should be used, the correct way to use the mask, and the effectiveness of the mask in preventing the disease. Accordingly, addressing these ambiguities could change policy trends and public beliefs about the use of mask and help control the disease. To this end, this study discusses the role of the mask in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the role of the masks in preventing and controlling the prevalence of this disease has become one of the most controversial issues in the world [1]
In the newest interim guidance published on 5 June 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its advice for the use of the mask and recommended the public to wear masks when going outdoors [3, 4]
The effectiveness of the mask reduces if these factors are not considered by wearers, leading to an increase in the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission [5, 6]
Summary
Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the role of the masks in preventing and controlling the prevalence of this disease has become one of the most controversial issues in the world [1]. Due to the lack of vaccines and specific treatment for COVID-19, it is recommended that decision-makers in health organizations and government agencies review and correct their policies regarding the use of masks by the public as one of the effective strategies for reducing and controlling the prevalence of this virus [12].
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