This research is a message for future generations: If there is a pandemic like COVID-19 put on a mask, don’t argue.

Tram Ho

In a new study published in the Proceedings of the American Academy of Sciences, German scientists said they obtained the first evidence from a systematic analysis, showing the miraculous effects of masks in prevention of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus in public.

Although sensoryly and experiments with masks have shown conceptual evidence for this effect, German scientists say they still want research that demonstrates the effect in practical terms. of the mask.

The effects of masks on the spread of infectious diseases have been studied for a long time. The usefulness of protection for medical personnel is undeniable, ” the scientists wrote.

There was also evidence in the past that masks helped reduce the spread of previous diseases such as 2003 SARS or seasonal flu. However, the impact of masks in public places on the spread of COVID-19 has not been systematically analyzed “.

Nghiên cứu này là lời nhắn cho thế hệ tương lai: Nếu có một đại dịch như COVID-19 thì hãy đeo khẩu trang vào, đừng tranh cãi - Ảnh 1.

For a systematic analysis of this type, Germany became an ideal country, as their states in turn issued decrees mandating the wearing of masks in public at different times.

Tracking the data gap of COVID-19 incidences in each of these regions over time allows scientists to find a final answer to the question: “Wearing a mask in reality works. How to use it? “

This study is not only the end of skepticism regarding the mask – an effective and low-cost preventive tool, it also becomes a practical lesson for future generations: Humans also have a respiratory infectious disease similar to COVID-19, don’t argue with that, wear a mask!

Conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Southern Denmark, the University of Kassel, University of Darmstadt and the Johannes-Gutenberg University in Germany, the new study gathered a huge data volume from 401 regions. are city districts in Germany. These include the period of time they implemented the mandatory policy to wear masks in public, the number of COVID-19 infections before and during the period the policy was in place.

Nghiên cứu này là lời nhắn cho thế hệ tương lai: Nếu có một đại dịch như COVID-19 thì hãy đeo khẩu trang vào, đừng tranh cãi - Ảnh 2.

The masking Timeline policy is in place in different cities and regions in Germany.

Depending on the area of ​​review, we find that the respirator reduces the number of COVID-19 infections by 15% to 75% over a period of 20 days after people are forced to use them ,” said fake.

“Judging by the reliability of the various estimates, we conclude that the mask reduces the rate of increase in the number of cases per day.”

Take the example of a city in Germany that did the masking process as early as April 1 to 10 is Jena, the number of new infections here has dropped by 75% in just 20 days.

Simply put, if in cities without a mask recorded 100 new infections over a period of 20 days, then in a city where the masking ordinance was in place only 25 cases were recorded. “, the authors explained.

They add that the reduction is very large, with more than 90% of new infections in the age group 60 and older who are at high risk of progression and high mortality from COVID-19 infection.

The daily growth rate of cases in Jena is also very low, around 2 to 3%. And that was even in the early stages of the pandemic, when other parts of Germany had a daily growth rate of more than 50 percent.

Nghiên cứu này là lời nhắn cho thế hệ tương lai: Nếu có một đại dịch như COVID-19 thì hãy đeo khẩu trang vào, đừng tranh cãi - Ảnh 3.

Jena is also not the only region in Germany that recommends people wear masks early. The authors reported that they saw curves (representing new COVID-19 infections) going down in six other German cities and regions doing the same thing.

The authors also followed the development of COVID-19 in three translation centers Wuhan, Italy and New York City, between January 23 and May 9 and found a minimizing effect. significant amounts of masks against the spread of disease.

Wearing a mask is an effective and cost-effective way to combat COVID-19,” said the authors. However, the fact that many people are not aware of the working mechanism as well as the effects of masks can increase communication costs for this.

The authors estimate the cost of the mask is insignificant, but if you include the communication cost to convince all people to comply, especially those who oppose the mask, it can be up to 1.4 to 2, 5% of the household income.

Nghiên cứu này là lời nhắn cho thế hệ tương lai: Nếu có một đại dịch như COVID-19 thì hãy đeo khẩu trang vào, đừng tranh cãi - Ảnh 4.

Therefore, it is better for future generations not to fall into an unhelpful debate over the effects of a mask, but to consciously wear it in the event of a new respiratory disease.

The earlier the mandatory masking policy is introduced, the earlier the rate of COVID-19 infection decreases, and it could save lives, the study authors say. The effects of masks are a bloody lesson in the COVID-19 pandemic, for which we have to pay a lot of lives.

Refer to PNAS

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Source : Genk