Mask-Wearing Can Slow Community Coronavirus Transmission

The effect of mask-wearing on community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been the subject of substantial debate. In this article published by The Lancet on January 19, 2021, researchers presented findings from over 300,000 serial cross-sectional surveys conducted during June and July 2020.

This survey confirmed that a 'high percentage of self-reported face mask-wearing is associated with a higher probability of transmission control in US states.'

'Our evidence supports the role of mask-wearing in controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission; however, this ecological study cannot inform questions of causality or generalizable biological mechanisms. It is difficult to disentangle individuals' engagement in mask-wearing from their adoption of other preventive hygiene practices, and mask-wearing might be serving as a proxy for other risk avoidance behaviors not queried, such as avoiding crowded spaces,' concluded these researchers.