A technical review of face mask wearing in preventing respiratory COVID-19 transmission

Protective face mask: an effective weapon against SARS-CoV-2 with controlled environmental pollution

Masks are face coverings that give protection from infectious agents, airborne pathogens, bacteria, viruses, surgical fog, dust, and other chemical hazards by acting as a barrier between the wearer and the environment. In the COVID-19 pandemic, this major personal protective equipment's became essential part of our daily life. The aim of this review is to analyze and discuss the different types of masks with their pros and cons, manufacturing procedures, evaluation criteria, and application with some of the sterilization process for reuse and smart mask. The review used a thorough examination of the literature to analyze the preventive effects of surgical, N95, smart mask, and potential environmental damage from those masks. Several studies and evidence were also examined to understand the efficiency of different mask on different environment. N95 respirators are capable of filtering out non-oil-based 95% air-born particles, and surgical masks act as a protective barrier between the wearer and the environment. The application of spoon bond and melt blown techniques in the fabrication process of those masks improves their protective nature and makes them lightweight and comfortable. But the high demand and low supply forced users to reuse and extend their use after sterilizations, even though those masks are recommended to be used once. Universal masking in the SARS-COV-2 pandemic increased the chance of environmental pollution, so the application of smart masks became essential because of their high protection power and self-sterilizing and reusing capabilities.

Fundamentals and Applications of Surface Wetting

In an era defined by an insatiable thirst for sustainable energy solutions, responsible water management, and cutting-edge lab-on-a-chip diagnostics, surface wettability plays a pivotal role in these fields. The seamless integration of fundamental research and the following demonstration of applications on these groundbreaking technologies hinges on manipulating fluid through surface wettability, significantly optimizing performance, enhancing efficiency, and advancing overall sustainability. This Review explores the behavior of liquids when they engage with engineered surfaces, delving into the far-reaching implications of these interactions in various applications. Specifically, we explore surface wetting, dissecting it into three distinctive facets. First, we delve into the fundamental principles that underpin surface wetting. Next, we navigate the intricate liquid-surface interactions, unraveling the complex interplay of various fluid dynamics, as well as heat- and mass-transport mechanisms. Finally, we report on the practical realm, where we scrutinize the myriad applications of these principles in everyday processes and real-world scenarios.

Knowledge and preventive practices regarding COVID-19 disease among Ukrainian refugees in Poland

Russia's invasion of Ukraine contributed one of the largest migration movements in the 21st century. Refugees may become a source of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections for the residents of host countries. The study aim was to assess knowledge and preventive practices regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among Ukrainian refugees in Poland. The cross-sectional study was conducted between March and April 2022 among Ukrainian refugees registering consecutively in Zielona Góra, Poland. Knowledge and preventive practices were assessed by giving 1 point for each correct answer by anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The response rate was 96%, 190 participated (mean age 37.8 ± 15.5 years; 57.9% females); 61.6% self-reported their socio-economic status (SES) as high, 38.9% reported high level of education. The mean COVID-19 knowledge score was 3.06 ± 1.95; 19.5% scored >50%. The knowledge level was higher among migrants with high SES (P = .003). The mean preventive practices score was 2.56 ± 1.38; 54.0% scored ≥ 60%. 40.5% declared social distancing, 62.6% followed coughing etiquette, 69.0% home isolate themselves during COVID-19. 57.9% always used masks in public space, however 74.2% wore masks with uncovered nose. Refugees with higher education, high SES and knowledge level had significantly greater preventive practices scores (P = .002; P = .02; P = .03, respectively). The knowledge and preventive practices level was insufficient. Educational campaigns oriented to raising knowledge and prevention behavior skills should be implemented, especially targeting high-risk groups to avoid spread of COVID-19.

One-step fabrication of polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibrous membranes with spider-web-like structure for high-efficiency PM0.3 capture

High-efficiency air filters are in high demand to protect human health from the threat of ultrafine particulate matters (PM). However, most commercial air filters are less effective for PM0.3 capture and/or still suffer from undesirable pressure drops. They are also typically petroleum-based. Herein, a double-jet synchronous electrospinning technology was demonstrated to fabricate spider-web-like polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibrous membranes (SPNM) in one step. The properties of spinning solutions were regulated to construct favorable multi-scale nanofiber and bead structures that mimicked the structural units in spider-webs. The as-prepared SPNM exhibited excellent filtration efficiency (99.87 %) and high quality factor (0.321 Pa-1) against the PM0.3, while presenting an attractively low pressure drop (19 Pa). Additionally, the filtration performance of SPNM was almost completely preserved during 10-cycle tests and the 6-month long-term tests, showing excellent function stability and durability. Benefiting from its good hydrophobicity (WCA = 143.2°), SPNM also presented a satisfactory filtration efficiency (>99.37 %) with low pressure drop (18 Pa) at an environment with humidity at 90 % against PM0.3. Furthermore, the unique structure increased the mechanical strength of SPNM, facilitating the processability for practical applications. Overall, this work may shed light on a promising approach for developing biomass-based, highly efficient filtration materials with hierarchical structures.

Pandemic preparedness from the perspective of Occupational Health professionals

BACKGROUND

Prior to any infectious disease emergence as a public health concern, early occupational preparedness is crucial for protecting employees from novel pathogens- coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is no different.

AIMS

This study ascertains how occupational safety and health (OSH)/Human Resource (HR) professionals in the Republic of Ireland had managed to prepare their workplaces prior to the advent of COVID-19.

METHODS

As part of a larger COVID-19 workplace study, online focus groups were conducted with OSH/HR professionals. Collected data were transcribed verbatim and entered into NVivo for thematic analysis incorporating intercoder reliability testing.

RESULTS

Fifteen focus groups were conducted with OSH/HR professionals (n = 60) from various occupational settings. Three levels of organizational preparedness were identified: 'early awareness and preparation'; 'unaware and not ready' and 'aware, but not ready'. Most organizations were aware of the COVID-19 severity, but not fully prepared for the pandemic, especially stand-alone enterprises that may not have sufficient resources to cope with an unanticipated crisis. The experiences shared by OSH professionals illustrate their agility in applying risk management and control skills to unanticipated public/occupational health crises that arise.

CONCLUSIONS

General pandemic preparedness such as the availability of work-from-home policies, emergency scenario planning and prior experience in workplace outbreaks of infectious diseases were helpful for workplace-associated COVID-19 prevention. This is the first study conducted with OSH/HR professionals in Ireland regarding COVID-19 preparedness in workplaces, which provides valuable insights into research literature, as well as empirical experience for the preparation of future public health emergencies.

One-step silver coating of polypropylene surgical mask with antibacterial and antiviral properties

Face masks can filter droplets containing viruses and bacteria minimizing the transmission and spread of respiratory pathogens but are also an indirect source of microbes transmission. A novel antibacterial and antiviral Ag-coated polypropylene surgical mask obtained through the in situ and one-step deposition of metallic silver nanoparticles, synthesized by silver mirror reaction combined with sonication or agitation methods, is proposed in this study. SEM analysis shows Ag nanoparticles fused together in a continuous and dense layer for the coating obtained by sonication, whereas individual Ag nanoparticles around 150 nm were obtained combining the silver mirror reaction with agitation. EDX, XRD and XPS confirm the presence of metallic Ag in both coatings and also oxidized Ag in samples by agitation. A higher amount of Ag nanoparticles is deposited on samples by sonication, as calculated by TGA. Further, both coatings are biocompatible and show antibacterial properties: coating by sonication caused 24 % and 40 % of bacterial reduction while coating by agitation 48 % and 96 % against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. At 1 min of contact with SARS-CoV-2, the coating by agitation has an antiviral capacity of 75 % against 24 % of the one by sonication. At 1 h, both coatings achieve 100 % of viral inhibition. Nonetheless, larger samples could be produced only through the silver mirror reaction combined with agitation, preserving the integrity of the mask. In conclusion, the silver-coated mask produced by silver mirror reaction combined with agitation is scalable, has excellent physico-chemical characteristics as well as significant biological properties, with higher antimicrobial activities, providing additional protection and preventing the indirect transmission of pathogens.

Analyzing neural activity under prolonged mask usage through EEG

In recent COVID times, mask has been a compulsion at workplaces and institutes as a preventive measure against multiple viral diseases including coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. However, the effects of prolonged mask-wearing on humans' neural activity are not well known. This paper is to investigate the effect of prolonged mask usage on the human brain through electroencephalogram (EEG), which acquires neural activity and translates it into comprehensible electrical signals. The performances of 10 human subjects with and without mask were assessed on a random patterned alphabet game. Besides EEG, physiological parameters of oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature were recorded. Spectral and statistical analysis were performed on the recorded entities along with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) on extracted spectral features. The mean EEG spectral power in alpha, beta, and gamma sub-bands of the subjects with mask was smaller than the subjects without mask. The performances on the task and the oxygen saturation level between the two groups differed significantly (p < 0.05). Whereas, the blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate of both groups were similar. Based on the LDA analysis, the occipital and frontal lobes exhibited the greatest variability in channel measurements, with O1 and O2 channels in the occipital lobe demonstrating significant variations within the alpha band due to visual focus, while the F3, AF3, and F7 channels were found to be differentiating within the beta and gamma frequency bands due to the cognitive stimulating tasks. All other channels were observed to be non-discriminatory.

Neutron reflection and scattering in characterising peptide assemblies

Self-assemblies of de novo designed short peptides at interface and in bulk solution provide potential platforms for developing applications in many medical and technological areas. However, characterising how bioinspired supramolecular nanostructures evolve with dynamic self-assembling processes and respond to different stimuli remains challenging. Neutron scattering technologies including small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron reflection (NR) can be advantageous and complementary to other state-of-the-art techniques in tracing structural changes under different conditions. With more neutron sources now available, SANS and NR are becoming increasingly popular in studying self-assembling processes of diverse peptide and protein systems, but the difficulty in experimental manipulation and data analysis can deter beginners. This review will introduce the basic theory, general experimental setup and data analysis of SANS and NR, followed by provision of their applications in characterising interfacial and solution self-assemblies of representative peptides and proteins. SANS and NR are remarkably effective in determining the morphological features self-assembled short peptides, especially size and shape transitions as a result of either sequence changes or in response to environmental stimuli, demonstrating the unique capability of NR and SANS in unravelling the interactive processes. These examples highlight the potential of NR and SANS in supporting the development of novel short peptides and proteins as biopharmaceutical candidates in the fight against many diseases and infections that share common features of membrane interactive processes.

Upscaling of Electrospinning Technology and the Application of Functionalized PVDF-HFP@TiO2 Electrospun Nanofibers for the Rapid Photocatalytic Deactivation of Bacteria on Advanced Face Masks

In recent years, Electrospinning (ES) has been revealed to be a straightforward and innovative approach to manufacture functionalized nanofiber-based membranes with high filtering performance against fine Particulate Matter (PM) and proper bioactive properties. These qualities are useful for tackling current issues from bacterial contamination on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) surfaces to the reusability of both disposable single-use face masks and respirator filters. Despite the fact that the conventional ES process can be upscaled to promote a high-rate nanofiber production, the number of research works on the design of hybrid materials embedded in electrospun membranes for face mask application is still low and has mainly been carried out at the laboratory scale. In this work, a multi-needle ES was employed in a continuous processing for the manufacturing of both pristine Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride-co-Hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofibers and functionalized membrane ones embedded with TiO2 Nanoparticles (NPs) (PVDF-HFP@TiO2). The nanofibers were collected on Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) nonwoven spunbond fabric and characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), Raman spectroscopy, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis. The photocatalytic study performed on the electrospun membranes proved that the PVDF-HFP@TiO2 nanofibers provide a significant antibacterial activity for both Staphylococcus aureus (~94%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (~85%), after only 5 min of exposure to a UV-A light source. In addition, the PVDF-HFP@TiO2 nanofibers exhibit high filtration efficiency against submicron particles (~99%) and a low pressure drop (~3 mbar), in accordance with the standard required for Filtering Face Piece masks (FFPs). Therefore, these results aim to provide a real perspective on producing electrospun polymer-based nanotextiles with self-sterilizing properties for the implementation of advanced face masks on a large scale.

The Rise of Electroactive Materials in Face Masks for Preventing Virus Infections

Air-transmitted pathogens may cause severe epidemics, posing considerable threats to public health and safety. Wearing a face mask is one of the most effective ways to prevent respiratory virus infection transmission. Especially since the new coronavirus pandemic, electroactive materials have received much attention in antiviral face masks due to their highly efficient antiviral capabilities, flexible structural design, excellent sustainability, and outstanding safety. This review first introduces the mechanism for preventing viral infection or the inactivation of viruses by electroactive materials. Then, the applications of electrostatic-, conductive-, triboelectric-, and microbattery-based materials in face masks are described in detail. Finally, the problems of various electroactive antiviral materials are summarized, and the prospects for their future development directions are discussed. In conclusion, electroactive materials have attracted great attention for antiviral face masks, and this review will provide a reference for materials scientists and engineers in antiviral materials and interfaces.

The effect of prolonged use of surgical masks during face-to-face teaching on cognitive and physiological parameters of nursing students: A cross-sectional and descriptive study

AIMS

This study was conducted to examine the effects of using surgical masks on nursing students' cognitive and physiological parameters during full-time face-to-face teaching during the pandemic.

BACKGROUND

It is known that the use of surgical masks has effects on health professionals' physiological parameters.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional study with a pretest-posttest design was conducted. The study was carried out at a state university.

METHODS

Sixty-one nursing students taking Internal Medicine Nursing course in the fall semester during the COVID-19 pandemic were included in the study. Study data were collected by using a Descriptive Information Form, the Cognitive Fatigue Scale, the One-way Dyspnea Scale and the Cognitive Reaction Time application in a theoretical course that took 310 min on 15 November 2021. Students' physiological parameters were measured by using a thermometer and pulse oximetry.

RESULTS

It was found that students' cognitive fatigue levels (p < 0.001) and body temperature increased (p < 0.001) and that cognitive reaction rates (p = 0.05) and pulse rates decreased (p < 0.001). It was determined that after the lesson, there was a weak positive correlation between nursing students' level of dyspnea and body temperature and their cognitive fatigue levels (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It was determined that the use of surgical masks during full-time face-to-face teaching increased students' cognitive fatigue and decreased their cognitive reaction rates. The research will have an impact on redesigning the curriculum for face-to-face teaching. Lecturers should revise their teaching by taking these findings into account.

HRL4EC: Hierarchical reinforcement learning for multi-mode epidemic control

Infectious diseases, such as Black Death, Spanish Flu, and COVID-19, have accompanied human history and threatened public health, resulting in enormous infections and even deaths among citizens. Because of their rapid development and huge impact, laying out interventions becomes one of the most critical paths for policymakers to respond to the epidemic. However, the existing studies mainly focus on epidemic control with a single intervention, which makes the epidemic control effectiveness severely compromised. In view of this, we propose a Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning decision framework for multi-mode Epidemic Control with multiple interventions called HRL4EC. We devise an epidemiological model, referred to as MID-SEIR, to describe multiple interventions' impact on transmission explicitly, and use it as the environment for HRL4EC. Besides, to address the complexity introduced by multiple interventions, this work transforms the multi-mode intervention decision problem into a multi-level control problem, and employs hierarchical reinforcement learning to find the optimal strategies. Finally, extensive experiments are conducted with real and simulated epidemic data to validate the effectiveness of our proposed method. We further analyze the experiment data in-depth, conclude a series of findings on epidemic intervention strategies, and make a visualization accordingly, which can provide heuristic support for policymakers' pandemic response.

Effects of Mask Reuse on the Oropharyngeal, Skin, and Mask Microbiome

BACKGROUND

Face masks have been critical in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but supplies were sometimes limited and disposable masks contribute greatly to environmental waste. Studies suggest that filtration capacity is retained with repeated use, and surveys indicate many people reuse surgical masks. However, the impact of mask reuse on the host is understudied.

METHODS

We applied 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the bacterial microbiome of the facial skin and oropharynx of individuals randomized to wearing fresh surgical masks daily versus masks reused for 1 week.

RESULTS

Compared to daily fresh masks, reuse was associated with increased richness (number of taxa) of the skin microbiome and trend towards greater diversity, but no difference in the oropharyngeal microbiome. Used masks had either skin-dominant or oropharynx-dominant bacterial sequences, and reused masks had >100-fold higher bacterial content but no change in composition compared to those used for 1 day.

CONCLUSIONS

One week of mask reuse increased the number of low-abundance taxa on the face but did not impact the upper respiratory microbiome. Thus, face mask reuse has little impact on the host microbiome, although whether minor changes to the skin microbiome might relate to reported skin sequelae of masking (maskne) remains to be determined.

The Enhanced Durability of AgCu Nanoparticle Coatings for Antibacterial Nonwoven Air Conditioner Filters

Antibacterial nonwoven fabrics, incorporated with Ag, have been applied as masks and air conditioner filters to prevent the spread of disease from airborne respiratory pathogens. In this work, we present a comparison study of Ag ions: Ag and AgCu nanoparticles (NPs) coated onto nonwoven fabrics intended for use as air conditioner antibacterial filters. We illustrate their color changes and durability running in air conditioners using antibacterial activity testing and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic (XPS) analysis. We found that AgCu NPs showed the best antibacterial efficacy and durability. XPS analysis indicated that the Ag concentration, on both the AgCu and Ag- NP-coated fibers, changed little. On the contrary, the Ag concentration on Ag ion-coated fibers decreased by ~30%, and the coated NPs aggregated over time. The color change in AgCu NP-coated fabric, from yellow to white, is caused by oxide shell formation over the NPs, with nearly 46% oxidized silver. Our results, both from antibacterial evaluation and wind blowing tests, indicate that AgCu NP-coated fibers have higher durability, while Ag ion-coated fibers have little durability in such applications. The enhanced durability of the AgCu NP-coated antibacterial fabrics can be attributed to stronger NP-fiber interactions and greater ion release.

Risk perception of compound emergencies: A household survey on flood evacuation and sheltering behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic

Compound hazards are derived from independent disasters that occur simultaneously. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the coupling of low-probability high-impact climate events has introduced a novel form of conflicting stressors that inhibits the operation of traditional logistics developed for single-hazard emergencies. The competing goals of hindering virus contagion and expediting massive evacuation have posed unique challenges for community safety. Yet, how a community perceives associated risks has been debated. This research utilized a web-based survey to explore the relationship between residents' perceptions of conflicting risks and emergency choices made during a historic compound event, the flooding in 2020 in Michigan, US that coincided with the pandemic. After the event, postal mail was randomly sent to 5,000 households living in the flooded area, collecting 556 responses. We developed two choice models for predicting survivors' evacuation options and sheltering length. The impact of sociodemographic factors on perceptions of COVID-19 risks was also examined. The results revealed greater levels of concern among females, democrats, and the economically inactive population. The relationship between evacuation choice and concern about virus exposure was dependent upon the number of seniors in the household. Concern about a lack of mask enforcement particularly discouraged evacuees from extended sheltering.

Polylactic Acid/Calcium Stearate Hydrocharging Melt-Blown Nonwoven Fabrics for Respirator Applications

Non-biodegradable polypropylene, which poses a serious threat to the environment, is the most utilized material in air filtration systems. Moreover, under conditions of high temperature and high humidity, the electrostatic charge in melt-blown nonwoven fabrics treated with traditional corona electrets will quickly dissipate. Here, biodegradable polylactic acid, calcium stearate, and an innovative hydrocharging technique are reported to develop environmentally friendly polylactic acid/calcium stearate hydrocharging melt-blown nonwoven fabrics with high charge stability. Compared with polylactic acid melt-blown nonwoven fabrics, the crystallization structure and charge storage of polylactic acid/calcium stearate melt-blown nonwoven fabrics have been greatly improved due to the presence of calcium stearate. In PM0.3, it exhibited a high filtration efficiency (96.78%), a low pressure drop (65.20 Pa), and a good quality factor (0.053 Pa-1), which can meet the N95 respirator standard. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the filtration performance remained at a high level (>95.00%) after 2 months. Importantly, based on the test and analysis of surface electrostatic potential, crystallization, and charge storage and distribution, we proposed plausible charge generation and stable storage mechanisms. It demonstrated more potential for electret air filtration and smart respirators as the further possible step of research in the field.

Public interest in different types of masks and its relationship with pandemic and policy measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study using Google Trends data

Google Trends data have been used to investigate various themes on online information seeking. It was unclear if the population from different parts of the world shared the same amount of attention to different mask types during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to reveal which types of masks were frequently searched by the public in different countries, and evaluated if public attention to masks could be related to mandatory policy, stringency of the policy, and transmission rate of COVID-19. By referring to an open dataset hosted at the online database Our World in Data, the 10 countries with the highest total number of COVID-19 cases as of 9th of February 2022 were identified. For each of these countries, the weekly new cases per million population, reproduction rate (of COVID-19), stringency index, and face covering policy score were computed from the raw daily data. Google Trends were queried to extract the relative search volume (RSV) for different types of masks from each of these countries. Results found that Google searches for N95 masks were predominant in India, whereas surgical masks were predominant in Russia, FFP2 masks were predominant in Spain, and cloth masks were predominant in both France and United Kingdom. The United States, Brazil, Germany, and Turkey had two predominant types of mask. The online searching behavior for masks markedly varied across countries. For most of the surveyed countries, the online searching for masks peaked during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic before the government implemented mandatory mask wearing. The search for masks positively correlated with the government response stringency index but not with the COVID-19 reproduction rate or the new cases per million.

Electrospun nanofibers for medical face mask with protection capabilities against viruses: State of the art and perspective for industrial scale-up

Face masks have proven to be a useful protection from airborne viruses and bacteria, especially in the recent years pandemic outbreak when they effectively lowered the risk of infection from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or Omicron variants, being recognized as one of the main protective measures adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO). The need for improving the filtering efficiency performance to prevent penetration of fine particulate matter (PM), which can be potential bacteria or virus carriers, has led the research into developing new methods and techniques for face mask fabrication. In this perspective, Electrospinning has shown to be the most efficient technique to get either synthetic or natural polymers-based fibers with size down to the nanoscale providing remarkable performance in terms of both particle filtration and breathability. The aim of this Review is to give further insight into the implementation of electrospun nanofibers for the realization of the next generation of face masks, with functionalized membranes via addiction of active material to the polymer solutions that can give optimal features about antibacterial, antiviral, self-sterilization, and electrical energy storage capabilities. Furthermore, the recent advances regarding the use of renewable materials and green solvent strategies to improve the sustainability of electrospun membranes and to fabricate eco-friendly filters are here discussed, especially in view of the large-scale nanofiber production where traditional membrane manufacturing may result in a high environmental and health risk.

Dual-bionic nano-groove structured nanofibers for breathable and moisture-wicking protective respirators

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic makes protective respirators highly demanded. The respirator materials should filter out viral fine aerosols effectively, allow airflow to pass through easily, and wick away the exhalant moisture timely. However, the commonly used melt-blown nonwovens perform poorly in meeting these requirements simultaneously. Herein, dual-bionic nano-groove structured (NGS) nanofibers are fabricated to serve as protective, breathable and moisture-wicking respirator materials. The creativity of this design is that the tailoring of dual-bionic nano-groove structure, combined with the strong polarity and hydrophilicity of electrospinning polymer, not only endows the nanofibrous materials with improved particle capture ability but also enable them to wick away and transmit breathing moisture. Benefitting from the synthetic effect of hierarchical structure and the intrinsic property of polymers, the resulting NGS nanofibrous membranes show a high filtration efficiency of 99.96%, a low pressure drop of 110 Pa, and a high moisture transmission rate of 5.67 kg m^-2 d^-1 at the same time. More importantly, the sharp increase of breathing resistance caused by the condensation of exhaled moisture is avoided, overcoming the bottleneck faced by traditional nonwovens and paving a new way for developing protective respirators with high wear comfortability.

A Comprehensive Sampling Study on SARS-CoV-2 Contamination of Air and Surfaces in a Large Meat Processing Plant Experiencing COVID-19 Clusters in June 2020

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess SARS-CoV-2 contamination of air and surfaces to gain insight into potential occupational exposure in a large meat processing plant experiencing COVID-19 clusters. Methods: Oro-nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 screening was performed in 76 workers. Environmental samples ( n = 275) including air, ventilation systems, sewage, and swabs of high-touch surfaces and workers' hands were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Twenty-seven (35.5%) of the (predominantly asymptomatic) workers tested positive with modest to low viral loads (cycle threshold ≥ 29.7). Six of 203 surface swabs, 1 of 12 personal air samples, and one of four sewage samples tested positive; other samples tested negative. Conclusions: Although one third of workers tested positive, environmental contamination was limited. Widespread SARS-CoV-2 transmission via air and surfaces was considered unlikely within this plant at the time of investigation while strict COVID-19 control measures were already implemented.

Electrospun transparent nanofibers as a next generation face filtration media: A review

The development of fascinating materials with functional properties has revolutionized the humankind with materials comfort, stopped the spreading of diseases, relieving the environmental pollution pressure, economized government research funds, and prolonged their serving life. The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has triggered great global public health concern. Face masks are crucial tools to impede the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 from human to human. However, current face masks exhibit in a variety of colors (opaque), like blue, black, red, etc., leading to a communication barrier between the doctor and the deaf-mute patient when wearing a mask. High optical transparency filters can be utilized for both personal protection and lip-reading. Thus, shaping face air filter into a transparent appearance is an urgent need. Electrospinning technology, as a mature technology, is commonly used to form nanofiber materials utilizing high electrical voltage. With the alteration of the diameters of nanofibers, and proper material selection, it would be possible to make the transparent face mask. In this article, the research progress in the transparent face air filter is reviewed with emphasis on three parts: mechanism of the electrospinning process and light transmission, preparation of transparent face air filter, and their innovative potential. Through the assessment of classic cases, the benefits and drawbacks of various preparation strategies and products are evaluated, to provide general knowledge for the needs of different application scenarios. In the end, the development directions of transparent face masks in protective gear, particularly their novel functional applications and potential contributions in the prevention and control of the epidemic are also proposed.

Polysaccharides for Medical Technology: Properties and Applications

Over the past decade, the use of polysaccharides has gained tremendous attention in the field of medical technology. They have been applied in various sectors such as tissue engineering, drug delivery system, face mask, and bio-sensing. This review article provides an overview and background of polysaccharides for biomedical uses. Different types of polysaccharides, for example, cellulose and its derivatives, chitin and chitosan, hyaluronic acid, alginate, and pectin are presented. They are fabricated in various forms such as hydrogels, nanoparticles, membranes, and as porous mediums. Successful development and improvement of polysaccharide-based materials will effectively help users to enhance their quality of personal health, decrease cost, and eventually increase the quality of life with respect to sustainability.

Size-specific filtration efficiency and pressure drop of school-aged children's woven and nonwoven masks at varying face velocities

BACKGROUND

Differences in physiology and breathing patterns between children and adults lead to disparate responses to aerosols of varying sizes. No standardized method exists for measuring the filtration efficiency (FE) of children's masks to reflect such differences.

METHODS

Using an adult N95 mask as a control and two different face velocities (v_f) (9.3 cm/s representing adults and 4.0 cm/s representing school-aged children), we tested the pressure drop (ΔP) through children's nonwoven masks (surgical and KN95) and children's woven masks (100% cotton and partially-cotton-based masks), as well as their size-specific FE between aerodynamic particle diameters of 0.02 and 2.01 μm.

RESULTS

All three types of mask showed a 1 to 9% absolute increase in minimum FE at the lower v_f and a significant decrease in ΔP. For children's surgical masks the increase in FE was significant for most of the examined particle sizes, but for children's woven masks the increase was limited to particles smaller than 0.04 μm.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower v_f for children is likely to lead to a higher FE, lower ΔP, and consequently higher filter qualities in children's masks. For woven masks, the FE for particles larger than 0.04 μm was low (typically <50%) for both v_f's studied.

Fabrication of silver nanoparticles-deposited fabrics as a potential candidate for the development of reusable facemasks and evaluation of their performance

Recently, wearing facemasks in public has been raised due to the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic worldwide. However, the performance and effectiveness of many existing products have raised significant concerns among people and professionals. Therefore, greater attempts have been focused recently to increase the efficacy of these products scientifically and industrially. In this respect, doping or impregnating facemask fabrics with metallic substances or nanoparticles like silver nanoparticles has been proposed. So, in the present study, we aimed to sonochemically coat silver nanoparticles on the non-woven Spunbond substrates at different sonication times and concentrations to develop antibacterial and antiviral facemask. The coated substrates were characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-Ray, X-ray diffraction, and Thermogravimetry analysis. The amount of silver released from the coated substrates was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The filtration efficiency, pressure drop, and electrical conductivity of the coated samples were also investigated. The antibacterial activity of fabrics was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Cellular viability of samples assessed by MTT and brine shrimp lethality tests. The results revealed that the higher sonication times and precursor concentrations result in a higher and more stable coating, larger particle size, wider particle size distribution, and lower content of released silver. Coated fabrics also revealed enhanced filtration efficiency (against nanosize particles), desired pressure drop, and antibacterial activity without significant cytotoxicity toward HEK 293 cells and Artemia nauplii. As a result, the coated fabrics could find potential applications in the development of facemasks for protection against different pathogenic entities.

Biodegradable Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes as Promising Candidates for the Development of Face Masks

Aerosol particles, such as the widespread COVID-19 recently, have posed a great threat to humans. Combat experience has proven that masks can protect against viruses; however, the epidemic in recent years has caused serious environmental pollution from plastic medical supplies, especially masks. Degradable filters are promising candidates to alleviate this problem. Degradable nanofiber filters, which are developed by the electrospinning technique, can achieve superior filtration performance. This review focuses on the basic introduction to air filtration, the general aspects of face masks, and nanofibers. Furthermore, the progress of the state of art degradable electrospun nanofiber filters have been summarized, such as silk fibroin (SF), polylactic acid (PLA), chitosan, cellulose, and zein. Finally, the challenges and future development are highlighted.

Comparison of adaptive thermal comfort with face masks in library building in Guangzhou, China

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing masks in public spaces has become a protective strategy. Field tests and questionnaire surveys were carried out at a university library in Guangzhou, China, during June 2021 and January 2022. The indoor environmental parameters were observed, thermal sensation votes of students on various environmental parameters were collected, symptoms of students wearing masks were quantified, and the appropriate amount of time to wear masks was established. To identify acceptable and comfortable temperature ranges, the relationship between thermal sensation and thermal index was investigated. During summer and winter, people wearing masks are symptomatic for a certain duration. The most frequently voted symptom was facial heat (62.7 % and 54.6 % during summer and winter, respectively), followed by dyspnea. During summer, more than 80 % of the participants subjects were uncomfortable and showed some symptoms after wearing masks for more than 2 h (3 h during winter). In the summer air conditioning environment in Guangzhou, the neutral T_op was 26.4 °C, and the comfortable T_op range was 25.1–27.7 °C. Under the natural ventilation environment in winter, the neutral T_op was 20.5 °C, and the comfortable T_op range was 18.5–22.5 °C. This study may provide guidance for indoor office work and learning to wear masks in Guangzhou.

A review of disposable facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic: A focus on microplastics release

The COVID-19 epidemic seriously threats the human society and provokes the panic of the public. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are widely utilized for frontline health workers to face the ongoing epidemic, especially disposable face masks (DFMs) to prevent airborne transmission of coronavirus. The overproduction and massive utilization of DFMs seriously challenge the management of plastic wastes. A huge amount of DFMs are discharged into environment, potentially induced the generation of microplastics (MPs) owing to physicochemical destruction. The MPs release will pose severe contamination burden on environment and human. In this review, environmental threats of DFMs regarding to DFMs fate in environment and DFMs threats to aquatic and terrestrial species were surveyed. A full summary of recent studies on MPs release from DFMs was provided. The knowledge of extraction and characterizations of MPs, the release behavior, and potential threats of MPs derived from DFMs was discussed. To confront the problem, feasible strategies for control DFMs pollution were analyzed from the perspective of source control and waste management. This review provides a better understanding the threats, fate, and management of DFMs linked to COVID-19 pandemic.

Designing better cloth masks: The effect of fabric and attachment-style on discomfort

Cloth masks are a tool for controlling community transmission during pandemics, as well as during other outbreak situations. However, cloth masks vary in their designs, and the consequences of this variability for their effectiveness as source control have received little attention, particularly in terms of user discomfort and problematic mask-wearing behaviors. In the present studies, common design parameters of cloth masks were systematically varied to ascertain their effect(s) on the subjective discomfort and frequency of problematic mask-wearing behaviors, which detract from the effectiveness of cloth masks as source control. The type of fabric comprising a mask (flannel or twill made of 100% cotton) and the attachment-style of a mask (i.e., ear loops or fabric ties) were varied in adults (18 to 65 years) and children (ages 6 to 11 years). For adults, ear loops were less comfortable than ties (p = .035) and were associated with greater face- (p = .005) and mask-touching (p = .001). Children, however, found flannel masks to be more breathable than twill masks (p = .007) but touched their masks more frequently when wearing a mask made of flannel than twill (p = .033). Common design parameters of cloth masks not only affect user discomfort and behavior but do so differently in adults and children. To improve the effectiveness of cloth masks as source control, the present studies highlight the importance of measuring the effect(s) of design decisions on user discomfort and behavior in different populations.

Polymeric Materials as Indispensable Tools to Fight RNA Viruses: SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A

Towards the end of 2019 in Wuhan, suspicions of a new dangerous virus circulating in the air began to arise. It was the start of the world pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since then, considerable research data and review papers about this virus have been published. Hundreds of researchers have shared their work in order to achieve a better comprehension of this disease, all with the common goal of overcoming this pandemic. The coronavirus is structurally similar to influenza A. Both are RNA viruses and normally associated with comparable infection symptoms. In this review, different case studies targeting polymeric materials were appraised to highlight them as an indispensable tool to fight these RNA viruses. In particular, the main focus was how polymeric materials, and their versatile features could be applied in different stages of viral disease, i.e., in protection, detection and treatment.

The COVID-19 Response in North America

In our Information Technology (IT) based societies, social media plays an important role in communications and social networks for COVID-19. This study explores social responses for COVID-19 in North America, which is the most severe continent affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study employs social network analysis for Twitter among the US, Canada, and Mexico. This study finds that the 3 countries show different characteristics of social networks for COVID-19. For example, the Prime Minister plays the second most important role in the Canadian networks, whereas the Presidents play the most significant role in them, in the US, and Mexico. WHO shows a pivotal effect on social networks of COVID-19 in Canada and the US, whereas it does not affect them in Mexico. Canadians are interested in COVID-19 apps, the American people criticize the president and administration as incompetent in terms of COVID-19, and the Mexican people search for COVID-19 cases and the pandemic in Mexico. This study shows that governments and disease experts should understand social networks and communications of social network services, to develop effective COVID-19 policies according to the characteristics of their country.

Application of nanomaterials against SARS-CoV-2: An emphasis on their usefulness against emerging variants of concern

Researchers are now looking to nanomaterials to fight serious infectious diseases that cause outbreaks and even pandemics. SARS-CoV-2 brought chaos to almost every walk of life in the past 2 years and has challenged every available treatment method. Although vaccines were developed in no time against it, the most pressing issue was the emergence of variants of concern arising because of the rapidly evolving viral strains. The higher pathogenicity and, in turn, the higher mortality rate of infections caused by these variants renders the existing vaccines less effective and the effort to produce further vaccines a costly endeavor. While several techniques, such as immunotherapy and repurposed pharmaceutical research, are being studied to minimize viral infection, the fundamentals of nanotechnology must also be considered to enhance the anti-SARS-CoV-2 efforts. For instance, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been applied against SARS-CoV-2 effectively. Similarly, nanomaterials have been tested in masks, gloves, and disinfectants to aid in controlling SARS-CoV-2. Nanotechnology has also contributed to diagnoses such as rapid and accurate detection and treatment such as the delivery of mRNA vaccines and other antiviral agents into the body. The development of polymeric nanoparticles has been dubbed a strategy of choice over traditional drugs because of their tunable release kinetics, specificity, and multimodal drug composition. Our article explores the potential of nanomaterials in managing the variants of concern. This will be achieved by highlighting the inherent ability of nanomaterials to act against the virus on fronts such as inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry, inhibition of RNA replication in SARS-CoV-2, and finally, inhibition of their release. In this review, a detailed discussion on the potential of nanomaterials in these areas will be tallied with their potential against the current and emerging future variants of concern.

SARS-CoV-2 in brief: from virus to prevention

The recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), ahighly transmissible virus with a likely animal origin, has posed major and unprecedentedchallenges to millions of lives across the affected nations of the world. This outbreak firstoccurred in China, and despite massive regional and global attempts shortly thereafter, itspread to other countries and caused millions of deaths worldwide. This review presents keyinformation about the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease (namely,coronavirus disease 2019) and briefly discusses the origin of the virus. Herein, we also brieflysummarize the strategies used against viral spread and transmission.

Prolonged Use of Surgical Masks and Respirators Affects the Protection and Comfort for Healthcare Workers

This study explored the ideal period for wearing masks to prevent the physiological and psychological problems associated with long-term face mask use during respiratory infections by healthcare workers. Breathing simulators, surgical masks (SM) and medical respirators (PM) were prepared for two to eight hours. Changes in the comfort of masks (facial skin temperature, breathing resistance, and moisture permeability) and protection (filtration efficiency, resistance to blood penetration, and colony count) were assessed. The results demonstrated that the masks offered efficient liquid-particle filtering even after eight hours of use. However, the number of bacterial colonies using PM and SM grew significantly after two and four hours, respectively. Concerning comfort, the inspiratory resistance of masks rose dramatically after two hours, whereas the moisture permeability declined considerably after four hours. In addition, skin temperature had a significant increase within two hours, which may result in facial discomfort. When conditions permitted, the hospital staff was instructed to replace their masks every two hours.

The Long-COVID Experience Changed People's Vaccine Hesitancy but Not Their Vaccination Fear

Starting in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has been responsible, worldwide, for millions of deaths and patients with long-COVID syndrome. In an attempt to stop the spread of the virus, the blanket administration of COVID-19 vaccines proved to be the most effective measure, yet the existence and availability of functional vaccines did not and, still, do not ensure the willingness and intent of people to be vaccinated. This study assessed the similarities and differences in vaccine fears and vaccine hesitancy through between clusters of subjects: people that were not infected with COVID-19, people that had COVID but did not develop long-lasting symptoms, and people that were infected with COVID and developed long-COVID syndrome. From the sample of 1111 Italian people, it was found that individuals who experienced mild symptoms showed higher vaccine hesitancy (confidence, complacency, and collective responsibility) than those who did not contract COVID-19. People affected by long-COVID showed a lower overall hesitancy than individuals who had COVID-19 without incurring long-lasting symptoms and, thus, essentially resembled people who had no experience of COVID-19 infection in terms of the vaccine hesitancy scores. Vaccine fear remained unchanged across all three of the examined clusters.

The face behind the Covid-19 mask - A comprehensive review

The threat of epidemic outbreaks like SARS-CoV-2 is growing owing to the exponential growth of the global population and the continual increase in human mobility. Personal protection against viral infections was enforced using ambient air filters, face masks, and other respiratory protective equipment. Available facemasks feature considerable variation in efficacy, materials usage and characteristic properties. Despite their widespread use and importance, face masks pose major potential threats due to the uncontrolled manufacture and disposal techniques. Improper solid waste management enables viral propagation and increases the volume of associated biomedical waste at an alarming rate. Polymers used in single-use face masks include a spectrum of chemical constituents: plasticisers and flame retardants leading to health-related issues over time. Despite ample research in this field, the efficacy of personal protective equipment and its impact post-disposal is yet to be explored satisfactorily. The following review assimilates information on the different forms of personal protective equipment currently in use. Proper waste management techniques pertaining to such special wastes have also been discussed. The study features a holistic overview of innovations made in face masks and their corresponding impact on human health and environment. Strategies with SDG3 and SDG12, outlining safe and proper disposal of solid waste, have also been discussed. Furthermore, employing the CFD paradigm, a 3D model of a face mask was created based on fluid flow during breathing techniques. Lastly, the review concludes with possible future advancements and promising research avenues in personal protective equipment.

Graphene Properties, Synthesis and Applications: A Review

We have evaluated some of the most recent breakthroughs in the synthesis and applications of graphene and graphene-based nanomaterials. This review includes three major categories. The first section consists of an overview of the structure and properties, including thermal, optical, and electrical transport. Recent developments in the synthesis techniques are elaborated in the second section. A number of top-down strategies for the synthesis of graphene, including exfoliation and chemical reduction of graphene oxide, are discussed. A few bottom-up synthesis methods for graphene are also covered, including thermal chemical vapor deposition, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, thermal decomposition of silicon, unzipping of carbon nanotubes, and others. The final section provides the recent innovations in graphene applications and the commercial availability of graphene-based devices.

The effects of COVID-19 transmission on environmental sustainability and human health: Paving the way to ensure its sustainable management

The transmission dynamics and health risks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are inextricably linked to ineract with environment, climate, air pollution, and meteorological conditions. The spread of COVID-19 infection can thus perturb the 'planetary health' and livelihood by exerting impacts on the temporal and spatial variabilities of environmental pollution. Prioritization of COVID-19 by the health-care sector has been posing a serious threat to economic progress while undermining the efforts to meet the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for environmental sustainability. Here, we review the multifaceted effects of COVID-19 with respect to environmental quality, climatic variables, SDGs, energy resilience, and sustainability programs. It is well perceived that COVID-19 may have long-lasting and profound effects on socio-economic systems, food security, livelihoods, and the 'nexus' indicators. To seek for the solution of these problems, consensus can be drawn to establish and ensure a sound health-care system, a sustainable environment, and a circular bioeconomy. A holistic analysis of COVID-19's effects on multiple sectors should help develop nature-based solutions, cleaner technologies, and green economic recovery plans to help maintain environmental sustainability, ecosystem resilience, and planetary health.

A post-occupancy study of ventilation effectiveness from high-resolution CO2 monitoring at live theatre events to mitigate airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Mass-gathering events were closed around the world in 2020 to minimise the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Emerging research on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 emphasised the importance of sufficient ventilation. This paper presents the results of an indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring study over 82 events in seven mechanically ventilated auditoria to support the UK government Events Research Programme. Indoor carbon dioxide concentration was measured at high resolution before, during, and after occupancy to allow for assessment of the ventilation systems. Generally, good indoor air quality was measured in all auditoria, with average IAQ found to be excellent or very good for 70% of spaces. In some auditoria, spatial variation in IAQ was identified, indicating poor mixing of the air. In addition, surface and air samples were taken and analysed for the presence of bacteria by culture and SARS-CoV-2 using RT-qPCR in one venue. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected on a small number of surfaces at very low copy numbers, which are unlikely to pose an infection risk. Under the ventilation strategies and occupancy levels investigated, it is likely that most theatres pose a low risk of long-range transmission of COVID-19.

Bioengineered textiles with peptide binders that capture SARS-CoV-2 viral particles

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks and ventilation are key strategies to control the transmission of respiratory viruses. However, most PPE provides physical protection that only partially prevents the transmission of viral particles. Here, we develop textiles with integrated peptide binders that capture viral particles. We fuse peptides capable of binding the receptor domain of the spike protein on the SARS-CoV-2 capsid to the cellulose-binding domain from the Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II protein. The hybrid peptides can be attached to the cellulose fibres in cotton and capture SARS-CoV-2 viral particles with high affinity. The resulting bioengineered cotton captures 114,000 infective virus particles per cm2 and reduces onwards SARS-CoV-2 infection of cells by 500-fold. The hybrid peptides could be easily modified to capture and control the spread of other infectious pathogens or for attachment to different materials. We anticipate the use of bioengineered protective textiles in PPE, facemasks, ventilation, and furnishings will provide additional protection to the airborne or fomite transmission of viruses.

Risk Factors for Contracting COVID-19 and Changes in Menstrual and Sleep Cycles in Japanese Female Athletes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Although research on COVID-19 is prevalent, risk factors for contracting COVID-19 and lifestyle changes in athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been thoroughly investigated. This study included 254 female collegiate athletes and 107 female non-athletes from Japan, who completed an anonymous survey comprising questions about COVID-19, personal background and lifestyle changes during the pandemic. A total of 6.30% athletes and 6.54% non-athletes had tested positive for COVID-19. The majority reported no change in menstrual cycle (80.31% and 78.50% for athletes and non-athletes, respectively). Wake-up time and bedtime were delayed in some athletes (42.13% and 39.25%, respectively) and non-athletes (46.73% and 31.30%, respectively) during the pandemic. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in COVID-19 (+) athletes than in their COVID-19 (−) counterparts (22.78 ± 3.40 and 21.26 ± 2.06, respectively, p < 0.01) and logistic regression analysis revealed that younger students and those with higher BMI had an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. The proportion of vaccinated students was significantly higher in athletes than in non-athletes (p < 0.01). Whether the student was an athlete or not was not a related factor in contracting COVID-19. Extra attention should be focused on athletes experiencing weight gain or staying up late and experiencing lower quality sleep.

Environmental Decay of Single Use Surgical Face Masks as an Agent of Plastic Micro-Fiber Pollution

Large numbers of Single Use Surgical-type Face Masks, used by the public as personal protective equipment during the 2020–2022 COVID-19 pandemic, have been lost or intentionally discarded and have entered the environment rather than the waste management stream. These masks, made from non-woven polypropylene fibers, will undergo environmental decay which will release fiber fragments as microplastics into the environment. While the photochemical process of the decay of polypropylene polymers (photo-oxidation) is well understood, and while there are numerous studies that investigate mask decay and micro-fiber shedding in laboratory settings, there are no observational data that describe the progress and speed of decay on polypropylene face masks in real-life environmental settings. This paper examines the breakdown of single use surgical-type face masks under natural conditions. Masks from three manufacturers were exposed to natural sunlight over a ten-week period and their state of decay was photographically recorded in situ at weekly intervals. Visible decay accelerated after three weeks, with masks made from thinner spunbond fabric decaying more rapidly. Among same-weight fabric, photo-oxidation affected fabric dyed light blue more than undyed fabric, leading to a total breakdown after six weeks. The results are novel as they demonstrate a differential decay between the spunbonded and the melt-blown fabric, which cracks and breaks down much faster due to thinner fibers of shorter length and the lack of thermal bonding points. The resultant extensive micro-fiber generation was accelerated by external physical forces such as wind. This experiment highlights the fact that municipal agencies have only a narrow window of time to remove stray face masks from the urban environment if micro-fiber pollution is to be prevented.

Intention to maintain and willingness to stop: Applying a dual-process model to understanding the maintenance of COVID-19 preventive behaviors

Preventive behaviors have played an essential role in coping with COVID-19 and may continue to exerting a crucial impact on pandemic control in the future. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of social-cognitive factors on maintenance of COVID-19 preventive behaviors based on a dual-process model, which encompasses a reasoned path via the intention to maintain and a social reaction path via the willingness to stop. We collected a probability sample of 472 community-dwelling adults. Social-cognitive factors, behavioral tendencies, and preventive behaviors of COVID-19 were measured. The results supported that the dual-process framework could account for individual differences in preventive behaviors. Self-efficacy and response cost significantly explained the intention to maintain preventive behaviors, while favorability of risk image and subjective norm significantly explained the willingness to stop preventive behaviors. Our findings proposed strategies for promoting individuals' maintenance of preventive behaviors during a pandemic. The development of prevention policies may focus on two paths: strengthening the intended path by enhancing self-efficacy and decreasing response cost of preventive behaviors and monitoring and improving social influences, such as risk prototype and subjective norm, which can reduce the willingness to stop preventive behaviors.

Face masks to fight against COVID-19 pandemics: A comprehensive review of materials, design, technology and product development

The outbreak of COVID-19 has created renewed attention on research and large scale manufacturing of face masks. In the last two decades, usage of face masks for respiratory protection has gained increased importance as a measure to control the maladies and fatalities due to exposure to particulate pollutants and toxic pathogens. Numerous variants of surgical and high-performance respirator masks are available in the market, and yet the fibrous materials science researchers, manufacturers and public health agencies are making concerted efforts towards improvising them with respect to self-sterilisability, facial fit, thermo-physiological comfort, reusability and biodegradability, while maintaining or rather enhancing the filtration efficiency. This review article presents a compendium of materials, design and performance standards of existing face masks, as well as elaborates on developments made for their performance enhancement. The criticality of inculcation of good hygiene habits and earnest compliance to correct mask donning and doffing practices has also been highlighted. This review is expected to make valuable contributions in the present COVID-19 scenario when donning a face mask has become mandatory.

Numerical evaluation of face masks for prevention of COVID-19 airborne transmission

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments around the globe to apply various preventive measures for public health. One of the most effective measures is wearing face masks, which plays a vital role in blocking the transmission of droplets and aerosols. To understand the protective mechanism of face masks, especially in indoor environments, we apply a computational fluid dynamics technique to predict the lifetime of cough droplets. Therefore, we can assess the exposure risk in a ventilated room where an infected individual wears a face mask or not. We focus on the dynamic evaporation and diffusion of droplets in a human-cough process, which is a major cause for the spread of the virus. We find that wearing a face mask can effectively reduce the total mass and Sauter mean diameter of the residual droplets after a single cough. The mass concentration of virus-carrying droplets in the ventilated room decreases by 201, 43,786, and 307,060 times, corresponding to wearing cotton face masks, surgical face masks, and N95 face masks, respectively. However, the maximum travel distance of 80% droplets is insensitive to wearing a face mask or not. Therefore, the residual droplets are widely distributed due to the influence of indoor airflow. Furthermore, we study aerosol exposure risks in different areas of the room and find that high concentrations of aerosols occur in the streamline through an infected individual, especially next to the individual within 1.5 m. This strongly suggests a social distance despite the fact that the majority of droplets are filtered by face masks. This study explains the impact of face masks and airflow on indoor exposure risks and further inspires potential measures for public health, for example, no individuals should sit near the air supply opening.

Unique Presentation of Septic Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in the Setting of Reusable Face Covering

Identified in December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 quickly spread worldwide with a resultant increase in global morbidity, mortality, and economic disruption on a scale not seen since the 1918 Spanish flu. Health officials recommended universal masking to further reduce human-to-human spread of SARS-CoV-2. The state of Hawaii and the Department of Defense (DOD) adopted strict mask policies early in the pandemic and is shown to be effective at reducing transmission. We report a case of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in an immunocompetent 21-year-old man attributed to local skin irritation with resultant infection in the setting of continuous reuse of a mask that resulted in bilateral cavernous venous thrombosis and septic pulmonary embolism.

Investigation of the effects of face masks on thermal comfort in Guangzhou, China

Wearing masks to study and work places has become a daily protective measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the summer of 2021, environmental parameters were monitored, and students in a university library in Guangzhou, China, were surveyed to analyze the possible symptoms of wearing masks for a long time, and to assess the sensitivity of various body parts to the environmental parameters. Concurrently, the preference of subjects wearing masks for various environmental parameters was also analyzed. Additionally, the relationship between thermal sensation and thermal index was analyzed to identify acceptable and comfortable temperature ranges. The expected duration of wearing masks was counted. Subjects wearing masks had greater requirements for environmental comfort, and reported increased thermal discomfort of the face and head, compared to those without masks. More than 70% of the subjects wearing masks reported that they experienced discomfort on their faces. Among the subjects who experienced discomfort, 62.7% reported that facial fever was the main symptom; while some reported symptoms of dyspnea (25.4%) and rapid heartbeat (9.1%). More than 75% of the subjects were expected to wear masks for 2.0 h or less. Evaluation of environmental thermal sensation, including overall, facial, and head thermal sensation, differed among subjects who wore and did not wear masks. The indexes of neutral Operative temperature/Standard Effective Temperature (T _op /SET*) and preferred T _op /SET* were lower among subjects with masks than among those without masks. The neutral T _op /SET* deviation was 0.3 °C, and the preferred T _op /SET* deviation was 0.5 °C. Additionally, the acceptable and comfortable temperature zones differed between the two cases. The subjects who wore masks preferred colder temperatures. These findings indicated that the environmental parameters should be adjusted to improve the thermal comfort of the human body while wearing masks in work or study places.

Modeling COVID-19 Mortality Across 44 Countries: Face Covering May Reduce Deaths

INTRODUCTION

Despite ongoing efforts to vaccinate communities against COVID-19, the necessity of face mask use in controlling the pandemic remains subject to debate. Several studies have investigated face masks and COVID-19, covering smaller and less diverse populations than this study's sample. This study examines a hypothesized association of face-covering mandates with COVID-19 mortality decline across 44 countries in 2 continents.

METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study, changes in COVID-19‒related daily mortality rate per million population from February 15 to May 31, 2020 were compared between 27 countries with and 17 countries without face mask mandates in nearly 1 billion (911,446,220 total) people. Longitudinal mixed effect modeling was applied and adjusted for over 10 relevant demographic, social, clinical, and time-dependent confounders.

RESULTS

Average COVID-19 mortality per million was 288.54 in countries without face mask policies and 48.40 in countries with face mask policies. In no mask countries, adjusted average daily increase was 0.1553 - 0.0017 X (days since the first case) log deaths per million, compared with 0.0900 - 0.0009 X (days since the first case) log deaths per million in the countries with a mandate. A total of 60 days into the pandemic, countries without face mask mandates had an average daily increase of 0.0533 deaths per million, compared with the average daily increase of 0.0360 deaths per million for countries with face mask mandates.

CONCLUSIONS

This study's significant results show that face mask mandates were associated with lower COVID-19 deaths rates than the rates in countries without mandates. These findings support the use of face masks to prevent excess COVID-19 deaths and should be advised during airborne disease epidemics.