Abstract

RAMIREZ-GUERRERO, José Alfonso. The importance of nonmedical face masks in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. A narrative review. Rev. mex. anestesiol. [online]. 2021, vol.44, n.2, pp.130-138.  Epub Oct 04, 2021. ISSN 0484-7903.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a new and great challenge that medicine has had to face. Scientific evidence is growing rapidly and one of the aspects that has generated controversy is the role that the use of non-medical face masks can play when trying to stop the dissemination of cases. This narrative review examines the possible transmission mechanisms of the SARS-COV-2 virus, making emphasis on the role of aerosols, the history of their use inside and outside the hospital environment, the mechanisms by which they offer protection, as well as the efficiency in laboratory test where it is shown that face mask made with several layers of hybrid materials are more effective, and the beneficial impact that they have demonstrated in the general population. Evidence shows its widespread use helps reduce infection by decreasing the transmission of infectious droplets and aerosols, emphasizing that these results are superior when its use is more generalized. Given that it’s impossible to provide the entire population with a medical face mask, public policies should be implemented in order to ensure the generalized use of non-medical face masks, along with hygiene strategies, social distance, avoiding closed places and contact tracking.

Keywords : COVID-19; face mask; non-medical face mask; homemade face mask.

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