Why the Stress on Facemasks to Stop Corona?
Canada: Why is there so much stress on the wearing of face-masks in order to prevent the spread of corona virus? Here is an important message for those who consider it unnecessary.
According to reports, several research papers have appeared over the past month that prove that face-masks slow down the spread of the novel corona virus.
In this regard the analysis of 172 such research papers was published in the WHO funded and well-reputed journal Lancet, that said that wearing face-masks prevents the spread of the corona virus. Epidemiologist at McMaster University Canada, Professor Dr. Holger Schünemann said that our research proves that face-masks play a great role in arresting the spread of infection in crowded areas and medical facilities. He said however, that our results are not fully accurate and reliable. In regard to this, Associate Professor University of California Andrew Noymer, who was not a part of the McMaster University research team, said that during a pandemic it is not possible to conduct a proper trial with controls; therefore various studies have to be analysed by researchers.
The research in The Lancet has clubbed together data from various smaller studies and Dr. Holger Schünemann said that the work is observational and actual trials have not been conducted. The scope of an observational study in comparison to a controlled experiment is limited because it is not possible to remove the effect of outliers.
The researchers at McMaster University said that face-masks are most effective when accompanied by washing of hands and social distancing. These research reports have derived data from medical facilities or homes where a patient of the virus is living.
However, specialist of infectious diseases at Columbia University, Dr Jeffrey Shaman, has said that evidence suggests that face-masks are an effective tool in preventing the spread of the virus, because they filter out particles breathed out from the mouth and those present in the air. He said that in Asian countries South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietman, mask-wearing was more common in the early days of the pandemic and therefore they were able to keep their economy running while simultaneously controlling the spread of the virus. Wake Forest University Professor Werner Ernst Bischoff said that face-masks are very important because they stop the virus particles from coming out of the mouth while breathing, talking loudly, screaming, and singing.
Professor Ernst is known for his research on the spread of infection through the respiratory system, and he said that when you do everyday things like breathe, talk and sing, you eject infectious particles in the air, to prevent which a seal is required. He opined that masks are a very important feature in the prevention of spread of infection.
In order to prevent infection, it is not necessary that only an N95 mask is used. An ordinary cloth mask can also do the job, according to the McMaster research team. During the ongoing week, a research at Cambridge University, England, had also shown that face-masks and the following of government imposed restrictions can help slow down the spread of infection. It was said that you can impose lockdowns and wear face-masks but the best results appear when both these measures are combined. It was said that some groups think that covering the face does not prevent infection from spreading; however, anything that prevents particles from passing out into the air does prevent infection.
Another benefit of face-masks, according to research, is that people tend to stay further away from people who are wearing masks, and that is good for preventing spread. However, not all experts are convinced by the latest research regarding face-masks. The journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences includes articles that criticise using social media to suggest that face-masks can save the people of New York. John Hopkins epidemiologist Mary Kathryn Grabowski has asked for the journal to retract these articles, while Birmingham University Profressor Willem van Schaik has also called it regrettable. One of the writers of the article, from Texas A&M University, has rejected the request for retraction. He said it is based on scientific evidence, and its method and results can be discussed on a scientific basis on a national level, not on the opinions of the public.
California University Professor Andrew Noymer said that it is true that there are weaknesses in the McMaster research; however, if one analyses all previous reports including the 2013 Cambridge University Press article, it can be proven that wearing a cloth mask does prevent the spread of particles in the air. The composite results also support the theory that face-masks are beneficial.
Columbia University epidemiologist Jeffrey Shaman has said that both research reports have mentioned some effects of the use of masks. Andrew Noymer said that face-masks do not completely stop particles from spreading but do so to quite an extent, which is enough to prevent someone from getting infected with the virus. He said we don’t need scuba gears or even complete stopping of particles, but ordinary face-masks alone are quite effective.
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