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Scientific Brief: Community use of cloth masks to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2
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Nov. 20, 2020
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Description:Updated Nov. 20, 2020
SARS-CoV-2 infection is transmitted predominately by respiratory droplets generated when people cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe. CDC recommends community use of masks, specifically non-valved multi-layer cloth masks, to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Masks are primarily intended to reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets (“source control”), which is especially relevant for asymptomatic or presymptomatic infected wearers who feel well and may be unaware of their infectiousness to others, and who are estimated to account for more than 50% of transmissions.1,2 Masks also help reduce inhalation of these droplets by the wearer (“filtration for personal protection”). The community benefit of masking for SARS-CoV-2 control is due to the combination of these effects; individual prevention benefit increases with increasing numbers of people using masks consistently and correctly.
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Content Notes:Respiratory viruses are transmitted in multiple ways -- The term “aerosol” has been used in various ways to describe small particles that can move through the air -- The term “airborne transmission” has a specialized meaning in public health practice -- Airborne transmission is not equally efficient for all respiratory microbes -- The epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 indicates that most infections are spread through close contact, not airborne transmission -- Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur under special circumstances -- Prevention of COVID-19 by airborne transmission -- SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus, and we are still learning about how it behaves. -- REFERENCES.
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