Work

The use of facemasks may not lead to an increase in hand–face contact

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Advocacy of the use of facemasks by the public as a measure against the spread of COVID-19 is controversial, with some healthcare professionals arguing that the use of a face mask may increase the rate at which people touch their faces, due to readjusting the mask. We assessed the facial touching behaviour of bus passengers in China before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 and found that wearing a face mask does not increase the number of hand-face contacts and is likely, therefore, to have a positive beneficial effect on suppressing the spread of COVID-19 within populations when used in conjunction with social distancing measures.

Source: Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13698

Authors: Zhi‐yong Tao, Juan Dong, Richard Culleton

Institutions: Bengbu Medical College, Ehime University, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University

Language: English

Topic: Infection Control and Ventilation

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Bengbu Medical College