Effectiveness of Facial Masks in the Prevention of COVID-19 Infections
Nisreen Omar Asraf *
Consultant Family Medicine, National Guard Hospital-Jeddah-Primary Health Care (Specialized Poly Clinic), Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Abbas Alturkey
Qatif central hospital, Qatif, Saudi Arabia.
Abdualrhman Naser Al Shiahk
Qatif central hospital, Qatif, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Mahdi Al Talaq
Almunira PHC, Saudi Arabia.
Hussain Ali Al Yateem
Qatif Preventive Office, Qatif, Saudi Arabia.
Mahdi Radhi Al Sheef
Qatif Comprehensive Inspection Center, Qatif, Saudi Arabia.
Ali Majed Alsaeedi
Qatif Preventive Medicine, Qatif, Saudi Arabia.
Hassan Ali Aljanabi
Qatif Preventive Medicine, Qatif, Saudi Arabia.
Mujtaba Fawzi Al Jasim
Qatif Preventive Medicine, Qatif, Saudi Arabia.
Hussein Mahfoud Alzawad
Altawbi PHC, Saudi Arabia.
Moayed Saeed Alshanakhnakh
Almunira PHC, Saudi Arabia.
Hussain Saeed Alismael
Albustan PHC, Saudi Arabia.
Haidar Alawi Abualrahy
Qatif Preventive Medical Center, Qatif, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2, is thought to transmit mostly by respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing when people are in close proximity. It is advised to wear a face mask or respirator (N95/KN95) to prevent the spread of COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2. Although few studies have examined their real-world efficacy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, well-fitting face masks and respirators efficiently filter virus-sized particles in laboratory settings. Mathematical modelling demonstrates that wearing masks significantly slows the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and lowers the chance of infection, particularly when paired with other non-medical interventions (such as maintaining a safe social distance). In many studies, it has been discovered that both N95 masks and ordinary masks are effective. This study is aimed at evaluation effectiveness of wearing facial masks at preventing Covid-19 infections.
Keywords: COVID-19 infections, facial masks, N95 masks, disease, aeroso