Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks, such as surgical masks and cloth masks, have been employed as a public and personal health control measure against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In community and healthcare settings, their use is intended as source control to limit transmission of the virus and personal protection to prevent infection.[1]
Population-wide masking has proven significant in reducing the transmission of COVID-19.[2] Masks vary in efficacy, with N95 and surgical masks outperforming cloth masks, which are more common due to supply shortages,[2] but even cloth masks, with their variability in fabric type and mask fit, protect wearers from COVID-19.[3] Among readily available fabrics, double-layered cotton, hybrid masks, and cotton flannel perform best[3] and filtration effectiveness generally improves with thread count.[2] Healthcare workers, given their exposure, are recommended against using cloth masks.[3] Small-scale observational studies have shown evidence that masks reduce the community spread of COVID-19.[2] More reliable, randomized controlled population trials are uncommon due to ethical and logistical issues.[2] Clinical studies had not evaluated the efficacy of cloth masks in COVID-19 transmission by the end of 2021.[3]
The use of face masks (or coverings in some cases) has been recommended by American immunologist and NIAID director Anthony Fauci to reduce the risk of contagion.[4]
