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Review concludes universal mask use by lay persons reduces the spread of viral infections including SARS-CoV-2
Findings affirm policy promised by President-Elect Biden, who will ask Americans on Inauguration Day to wear masks for 100 days
A new narrative review of over 100 research articles concludes that masks and face coverings worn by members of the public reduce the spread of respiratory viral infections including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. The virus travels in the air in tiny droplets and particles, which are blocked to some extent even by 'imperfect' cloth face coverings. Wearing a face covering in a crowded indoor space reduces the chance that an infected person will pass the virus on to others. Even small reductions in the transmission rate can lead to large reductions in the number of people becoming infected over time.