Should medical or surgical masks vs. no masks be used for people possibly exposed to patients infected or suspected to be infected with COVID-19?
Presentation for
Recommendation
WE SUGGEST THE INTERVENTION
In People possibly exposed to patients infected or suspected to be infected with COVID-19, we suggest using masks or respirators (as an alternative to not using masks or respirators) (conditional recommendation, low certainty in the evidence) (Tentative recommendation for demo purposes only)
Background
SARS-CoV2 spreads from person to person through close contact and causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the absence of clear data on transmission mode, it was assumed early in the pandemic that the primary mode of transmission is by exposure to large respiratory droplets at mucosal sites. However there is mounting evidence about the propensity for SARS-CoV2 droplets to aerosolise, questioning conventional notions of respiratory virus transmission solely by large droplet and instead suggesting transmission also by fine respiratory aerosols. How far from a patient the virus is infective, and the optimal person-person distancing is therefore uncertain. For the currently foreseeable future (eg. until a safe and effective vaccine or therapy becomes available) COVID-19 prevention will continue to rely upon the nonpharmaceutical interventions, including pandemic mitigation in non-healthcare (community) settings.
