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\begin{document}

\title{Criticality of physical/social distancing, handwashing, respiratory
hygiene, and face-masking during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond}



\author[1]{Farid Rahimi}%
\author[2]{Amin Talebi Bezmin Abadi}%
\affil[1]{The Australian National University}%
\affil[2]{Tarbiat Modares University}%


\vspace{-1em}



  
  \date{May 08, 2024}


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\begin{abstract}
Physical/social distancing, handwashing, respiratory hygiene, and
face-masking have been recommended as realistic counterstrategies to
control the COVID-19 pandemic. These strategies have been critical in
the fight against the present pandemic in many countries. Here, we
detail the background to such countermeasures, present some examples in
different settings, and finally emphasize that they should remain in
place worldwide as a cultural and behavioral ``new normal'' until a
vaccine or a decisive treatment for COVID-19 is developed and made
available globally.%
\end{abstract}%



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\textbf{}

The outbreak caused by the ``severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2'' (SARS-CoV-2) distressed the Wuhan residents in December
2019. Many suffering the resultant ``unknown pneumonia'' were initially
admitted to Wuhan hospitals; the predominant symptoms included pyrexia,
malaise, dry cough, and sore throat. A fraction of the patients
reportedly suffered the complications which culminated in acute
respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, or multiorgan failure, and
death. By the end of January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO)
announced the outbreak as a public-health emergency and later, on March
11, declared the COVID-19 a pandemic. Interestingly, the Australian
government had declared COVID-19 as a ``disease of pandemic potential''
on 21 January,\textsuperscript{1} ahead of WHO. By May 12, 2020,
confirmed cases worldwide\textsuperscript{2} had totaled 4,277,720 with
\textgreater{}50,000 new cases registered daily. Meanwhile, our
understanding of the pathogenesis, prognosis, symptoms, and
case-fatality rate of COVID-19 is still limited but growing
fast.\textsuperscript{3-11}

Outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic inevitably led to realistic, mandatory
restrictive countermeasures in many countries, causing uncertainty for
millions of people with resultant unprecedented effects on economy and
morale---importantly livelihood and job losses---which will require many
years to recuperate. Thus, eliminating the ongoing impact of the
pandemic on the social fabric, morale, and psychosocial and economic
wellbeing is critical. Developing prophylactic vaccines or antiviral
therapies for SARS-CoV-2 will perhaps require few years of research,
testing, and clinical trials.\textsuperscript{12} Some drugs (e.g.,
chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine) have been touted to be effective but
have been shrouded with controversy.\textsuperscript{13}

Because respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, transmit from person
to person by virally loaded aerosols, any effective measure to disrupt
this transmission mode will reduce the chance of infection. Quarantine
has historically been effective in mitigating and managing contagious
epidemics. Thus, many countries have barred mass-gatherings and
encouraged self-isolation, in-house quarantine, and study or work from
home to lower the chance of viral transmission. More than 210 countries,
except Sweden and partially the United Kingdom, had mandated such strict
measures. Social and religious ceremonies have been barred or postponed.
In Australia, for example, public gatherings were limited and distancing
principles, including 1.5 m between individuals and 4
m\textsuperscript{2} area per person, have been mandated if unrelated
people come together.\textsuperscript{14,15}Further, sporting events
have been cancelled or postponed; for example, the Champions League has
been cancelled, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games postponed. Scientific
research, schooling, and universities have been profoundly affected in
many countries.\textsuperscript{16} The resultant economic and morale
repercussions demand new solutions to fighting the pandemic and
minimizing its negative impacts because the dynamic and evolving nature
of the pandemic may hint that the counterstrategies may not be
efficiently maintainable. Presuming that an effective drug or a
preventive vaccine for COVID-19 is distant, one may ask, ``how long must
the counterstrategies continue globally?'' We do not intend here to
undermine the importance of developing antiviral drugs or vaccine
projects, but to highlight the importance of public's behavioral,
cultural, and habitual changes for the pandemic's duration and in the
immediate future when some restrictions potentially gradually ease in
some countries, e.g., Australia\textsuperscript{17,18} and New
Zealand.\textsuperscript{19}

Upholding the strict quarantine/isolation rules, social distancing,
respiratory and hand hygiene, and wearing the protective masks is
important for the future. Physical distancing while keeping regular
contacts with family members and friends will help with maintaining
psychosocial wellbeing and morale. Physical distancing is needed during
uncontrolled outbreaks, when contagion rate, the risk of an epidemic,
and the case-fatality rates of confirmed cases are high. Though
compliance may differ from culture to culture and nation to nation, the
countermeasures are seemingly effective in reducing the viral spread
from asymptomatic carriers or from patients to healthy individuals. For
example, face-masking reportedly efficiently protects against SARS-CoV-2
transmission.\textsuperscript{20} We admit that any recommendation in
controlling the pandemic should be based on growing evidence experienced
by different nations. We propose that the restrictive countermeasures
should continue for at least 8--12 months until normal social activities
can phase in. Even afterwards, the rules of social/physical distancing,
frequent handwashing, respiratory hygiene, and face-masking will remain
utterly critical. The compliance with such measures should be encouraged
through public education and awareness campaigns to ensure such
behavioral, habitual, and cultural changes into the future.

\section*{References}

{\label{references}}

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