Face Mask: An essential tool to fight the invisible enemy
Over the past few months, an increasing volume of information has helped increase awareness regarding the transmission and clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2. Following pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization(WHO),global authorities and international scientific societies immediately took measures to reduce the transmission and subsequent morbidity associated with COVID-19. These measures, however, were not sufficient to limit the contagion, which drastically increased in the critical periods of March-April 2020, bringing initially Iran followed by Italy and Spain to their knees. Thereafter, the contagion spread rapidly to France and the United Kingdom, as well as overseas to the USA and worldwide.
The identified routes of COVID-19 virus spread are respiratory aerosols, spray droplets, and physical contact. Many nations disseminated heterogeneous messages regarding self-protective measures,such as the importance of face coverings,hand hygiene and SARS-CoV-2 testing. Moreover,the possibility of contact tracing through geosocial applications and public service platforms has been met with variable interest.[1] Universal acceptance of these precautions could be extremely crucial,especially in the upcoming months as several nations proceed with the reopening of commercial establishments and educational activities.