Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19

Abstract COVID-19’s high virus transmission rates have caused a pandemic that is exacerbated by the high rates of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections. These factors suggest that face masks and social distance could be paramount in containing the pandemic. We examined the efficacy of each meas...

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Autores principales:	Adam Catching, Sara Capponi, Ming Te Yeh, Simone Bianco, Raul Andino
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Nature Portfolio 2021
Materias:	Medicine R Science Q
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/b296cc993e2f4bacb0fd4e8e61be53a4
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:b296cc993e2f4bacb0fd4e8e61be53a42021-12-02T17:06:31ZExamining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-1910.1038/s41598-021-94960-52045-2322https://doaj.org/article/b296cc993e2f4bacb0fd4e8e61be53a42021-08-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94960-5https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322Abstract COVID-19’s high virus transmission rates have caused a pandemic that is exacerbated by the high rates of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections. These factors suggest that face masks and social distance could be paramount in containing the pandemic. We examined the efficacy of each measure and the combination of both measures using an agent-based model within a closed space that approximated real-life interactions. By explicitly considering different fractions of asymptomatic individuals, as well as a realistic hypothesis of face masks protection during inhaling and exhaling, our simulations demonstrate that a synergistic use of face masks and social distancing is the most effective intervention to curb the infection spread. To control the pandemic, our models suggest that high adherence to social distance is necessary to curb the spread of the disease, and that wearing face masks provides optimal protection even if only a small portion of the population comply with social distance. Finally, the face mask effectiveness in curbing the viral spread is not reduced if a large fraction of population is asymptomatic. Our findings have important implications for policies that dictate the reopening of social gatherings.Adam CatchingSara CapponiMing Te YehSimone BiancoRaul AndinoNature PortfolioarticleMedicineRScienceQENScientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-11 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Medicine R Science Q
spellingShingle	Medicine R Science Q Adam Catching Sara Capponi Ming Te Yeh Simone Bianco Raul Andino Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19
description	Abstract COVID-19’s high virus transmission rates have caused a pandemic that is exacerbated by the high rates of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections. These factors suggest that face masks and social distance could be paramount in containing the pandemic. We examined the efficacy of each measure and the combination of both measures using an agent-based model within a closed space that approximated real-life interactions. By explicitly considering different fractions of asymptomatic individuals, as well as a realistic hypothesis of face masks protection during inhaling and exhaling, our simulations demonstrate that a synergistic use of face masks and social distancing is the most effective intervention to curb the infection spread. To control the pandemic, our models suggest that high adherence to social distance is necessary to curb the spread of the disease, and that wearing face masks provides optimal protection even if only a small portion of the population comply with social distance. Finally, the face mask effectiveness in curbing the viral spread is not reduced if a large fraction of population is asymptomatic. Our findings have important implications for policies that dictate the reopening of social gatherings.
format	article
author	Adam Catching Sara Capponi Ming Te Yeh Simone Bianco Raul Andino
author_facet	Adam Catching Sara Capponi Ming Te Yeh Simone Bianco Raul Andino
author_sort	Adam Catching
title	Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19
title_short	Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19
title_full	Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19
title_fullStr	Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19
title_full_unstemmed	Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19
title_sort	examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of covid-19
publisher	Nature Portfolio
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/b296cc993e2f4bacb0fd4e8e61be53a4
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Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19

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