The mask dilemma: unmasking the myths and facts

Abstract

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has been spreading across the globe in 2020 with most countries being affected significantly in terms of the number of infected cases, morbidity and mortality, as well as health care and economic burden. Currently the most important individual and community measures for curtailing disease transmission are social distancing, hand sanitization and wearing of masks in public. It is important to advocate wearing masks in an effective and balanced manner and dispense supportive scientific evidence as well as practical guidelines and information in the community. Till the event of mass vaccination for COVID being available, improving the awareness, compliance and acceptance of the people towards proper wearing of a face mask when in public places, can be the most effective way for several countries to control transmission of COVID.