Distancing and masks cut COVID-19 risk, says largest review of evidence

[webfact]

Distancing and masks cut COVID-19 risk, says largest review of evidence

By Kate Kelland

 

FILE PHOTO: Students wearing protective face masks talk while practicing social distancing in Brussels, Belgium, May 15, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Keeping at least one metre apart and wearing face masks and eye protection are the best ways to cut the risk of COVID-19 infection, according to the largest review to date of studies on coronavirus disease transmission.

 

In a review that pooled evidence from 172 studies in 16 countries, researchers found frequent handwashing and good hygiene are also critical - though even all those measures combined can not give full protection.

 

The findings, published in The Lancet journal on Monday, will help guide governments and health agencies, some of whom have given conflicting advice on measures, largely because of limited information about COVID-19.

 

"Our findings are the first to synthesise all direct information on COVID-19, SARS, and MERS, and provide the currently best available evidence on the optimum use of these common and simple interventions to help 'flatten the curve'”, said Holger Schünemann from McMaster University in Canada, who co-led the research.

 

Current evidence suggests COVID-19 is most commonly spread by droplets, especially when people cough, and infects by entering through the eyes, nose and mouth, either directly or via contaminated surfaces.

 

For this analysis, an international research team conducted a systematic review of 172 studies assessing distance measures, face masks and eye protection to prevent transmission of three diseases caused by coronaviruses - COVID-19, SARS and MERS.

 

The researchers noted that the findings, while comprehensive, have some limitations for the current pandemic since most of the evidence came from studies of SARS and MERS.

 

They found, however, that physical distancing of at least 1 metre lowers risk of COVID-19 transmission, and that a distance of 2 metres could be more effective. Masks and protective eye coverings may also add protective benefits, though the evidence for that was less clear cut, they added.

 

Derek Chu, an assistant professor at McMaster University who co-led the work, said people should understand that "wearing a mask is not an alternative to physical distancing, eye protection or basic measures such as hand hygiene."

 

(Editing by Andrew Heavens)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-02

 

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[geriatrickid]

Common sense and cost effective that could allow some regaining of our former lives, but requiring that everyone cooperate and respect the personal space of others.

[Bkk Brian]

Full study here https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext

[Tug]

Good common sense advice stay safe stay healthy follow proper protocols with a bit of luck we will be squared away soon!

[bodga]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The researchers noted that the findings, while comprehensive, have some limitations for the current pandemic since most of the evidence came from studies of SARS and MERS.

Most  of?

[bodga]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"wearing a mask is not an alternative to physical distancing, eye protection or basic measures such as hand hygiene."

Tell  the  frikkin  staff in  the  shops that,  am  tired  of  telling them to  bugga  off along with me holding the items at checkout with the barcode for them so they dont touch them and they still keep trying to grab it from me, then the idiots   trying to grab the receipt to check and stamp it, again with their filthy hands even though Im holding it up so they can read it at arms length , all unnecessary handling , they  love me when I go in, in the end they give up trying to touch anything ive bought including the bill on the way out.

Still they do all have  a mask many round their chins and up and down more times than a Thai  hooker, Waste  of time probably transmitted anything all over the place in the course of a  day, thats when they stop  still huddling together for the lack of distancing, farcical.

[bodga]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

especially when people cough

So whats the problem with a tissue then?Gob  it  all into a mask you can fiddle  with all day instead, the same mask that should be changed when damp which must be in Thailand  about every 30  minutes with the heat, bet they dont change them weekly in practice.

[Bender Rodriguez]

0.2 percent death rate for people with bad immune system, old, sick, chronic diseases

 

rest of the world: 99.8 percent safe

 

let's all continue to panic, be afraid, social distance, use the same pen for everybody in big c, tesco, 7/11 or get spied upon where you go , spend your money, etc...

[tribalfusion001]

I refuse to participate in this madness, safe hexagons to stand in, what utter BS...

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

27 minutes ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

0.2 percent death rate for people with bad immune system, old, sick, chronic diseases

 

rest of the world: 99.8 percent safe

 

let's all continue to panic, be afraid, social distance, use the same pen for everybody in big c, tesco, 7/11 or get spied upon where you go , spend your money, etc...

 

You've posted that claim before, but never any source to back it up... In lots of countries, the death rate (deaths among confirmed cases) is 5 to 10% or more... In other countries like Thailand, it's under 1%, according to data from Johns Hopkins.

 

As for your age-based claims, here's an example for the state of California, via the Los Angeles Times:

 

 

https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/

Edited June 2, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Letseng]

1 hour ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

0.2 percent death rate for people with bad immune system, old, sick, chronic diseases

 

rest of the world: 99.8 percent safe

 

let's all continue to panic, be afraid, social distance, use the same pen for everybody in big c, tesco, 7/11 or get spied upon where you go , spend your money, etc...

Why does UK have such a high fatality rate then? And a good no. of no risk cases died. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

39 minutes ago, Letseng said:

Why does UK have such a high fatality rate then? And a good no. of no risk cases died. 

A high standard of accuracy in reporting?

[Bender Rodriguez]

1 hour ago, Letseng said:

Why does UK have such a high fatality rate then? And a good no. of no risk cases died. 

 

happy now ?

[tribalfusion001]

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

A high standard of accuracy in reporting?

Yes more accurate than most, Italy and Spain doesn't include deaths at home or care homes, so they are likely to surpass the UK.

[johnpetersen]

5 hours ago, tribalfusion001 said:

I refuse to participate in this madness, safe hexagons to stand in, what utter BS...

Next thing you know they'll be telling us is that tiny organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye can cause diseases.

[Tony125]

10 hours ago, bodga said:

Tell  the  frikkin  staff in  the  shops that,  am  tired  of  telling them to  bugga  off along with me holding the items at checkout with the barcode for them so they dont touch them and they still keep trying to grab it from me, then the idiots   trying to grab the receipt to check and stamp it, again with their filthy hands even though Im holding it up so they can read it at arms length , all unnecessary handling , they  love me when I go in, in the end they give up trying to touch anything ive bought including the bill on the way out.

Still they do all have  a mask many round their chins and up and down more times than a Thai  hooker, Waste  of time probably transmitted anything all over the place in the course of a  day, thats when they stop  still huddling together for the lack of distancing, farcical.

The coronavirus is primarily spread from person-to-person and not easily from surfaces or objects, the US’s government health agency has said in revised guidance.

 

US government health agency CDC revises guidance on spread of coronavirus on surfaces

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-government-health-agency-cdc-155015029.html

 

CDC's newest guidelines warn of only one likely way of contracting coronavirus

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/there-s-only-one-way-to-contract-covid-19-when-grocery-shopping-cdc-says/ar-BB14nILK?li=BBnba9O

 

CDC's newest guidelines warn of only one likely way of contracting coronavirus

As the CDC is learning more about the nature of COVID-19 and the way it spreads among the population, their guidelines on potential ways you could contract the disease have been updated.

 

Now, a slight but potentially significant shift has come to light on CDC's website. Where once their coronavirus guidelines warned that "it may be possible" to contract the virus through contaminated surfaces and objects, the website now lists "touching surfaces or objects" as an unlikely way of contracting the virus.

 

The most important precaution is wearing a face mask and keeping a safe social distance from others at all times. Keep washing your hands frequently and be mindful of touching your face.

[johnpetersen]

3 hours ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

 

happy now ?

Welcome back to the world of facts. Even if you haven't fully grasped their import. What you don't seem to note is that extraordinary and effective methods have been employed to suppress the spread of the virus. The issue you should be considering is what the death toll would have been had these measures not been taken.

Edited June 2, 2020 by johnpetersen

[Logosone]

McMaster University?

 

Do they give happy meals with degrees?

[johnpetersen]

8 minutes ago, Logosone said:

McMaster University?

 

Do they give happy meals with degrees?

Chagrined because you backed the wrong horse?

McMaster University (McMaster or Mac) is a public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.^.. It operates six academic faculties: the DeGroote School of Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Social Science, and Science. It is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada.^[9][10]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMaster_University

 

[Jingthing]

10 minutes ago, Logosone said:

McMaster University?

 

Do they give happy meals with degrees?

Your style of humor must go over well when you're visiting Scotland. 

[candide]

3 hours ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

 

happy now ?

False equivalence.

Which of these causes of death are contagious diseases, in a similar way as Covid-19?

What would the number of death without health policies in place?

 

[Logosone]

25 minutes ago, johnpetersen said:

Chagrined because you backed the wrong horse?

McMaster University (McMaster or Mac) is a public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.^.. It operates six academic faculties: the DeGroote School of Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Social Science, and Science. It is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada.^[9][10]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMaster_University

 

Not at all.

 

This survey is mostly about old studies relating to MERS and SARS. The authors say:

 

Masks and protective eye coverings may also add protective benefits, though the evidence for that was less clear cut, they added. 

 

And yet the headline says something else entirely, the headline writer needs a little more practice.

 

Besides, this is not an actual study, we've seen these collated reports before. An undergrad could do it, list all the studies he could find. And what was the conclusion? Evidence is not clear cut. Lol,

 

They can't all be right. This is not how science works. We did not tot up studies to determine if the earth revolves around the sun. If we'd done that we'd still think the sun revolves around the earth.

 

It's not about quantity. It's about who's right. A mere survey will not tell you that.

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2020 by Logosone

[bodga]

1 hour ago, Tony125 said:

The coronavirus is primarily spread from person-to-person and not easily from surfaces or objects, the US’s government health agency has said in revised guidance.

 

US government health agency CDC revises guidance on spread of coronavirus on surfaces

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-government-health-agency-cdc-155015029.html

 

CDC's newest guidelines warn of only one likely way of contracting coronavirus

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/there-s-only-one-way-to-contract-covid-19-when-grocery-shopping-cdc-says/ar-BB14nILK?li=BBnba9O

 

CDC's newest guidelines warn of only one likely way of contracting coronavirus

As the CDC is learning more about the nature of COVID-19 and the way it spreads among the population, their guidelines on potential ways you could contract the disease have been updated.

 

Now, a slight but potentially significant shift has come to light on CDC's website. Where once their coronavirus guidelines warned that "it may be possible" to contract the virus through contaminated surfaces and objects, the website now lists "touching surfaces or objects" as an unlikely way of contracting the virus.

 

The most important precaution is wearing a face mask and keeping a safe social distance from others at all times. Keep washing your hands frequently and be mindful of touching your face.

So the  staff coming right up to me is ok then, why wash hands if  touching infected surfaces  poses  little  risk, the staff cant keep their hands of their faces.

[ClaySmc]

4 hours ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

 

 

happy now ?

Most of those diseases aren't as infectious as Covid-19, and won't overwhelm the hospital systems, and kill off the medical staff. This lockdown is about one thing, controlling the virus enough so that there's more than one doctor left standing at the end of the day...to take care of those other ailments.

[Logosone]

5 minutes ago, bodga said:

So the  staff coming right up to me is ok then, why wash hands if  touching infected surfaces  poses  little  risk, the staff cant keep their hands of their faces.

I also don't get why the CDC and everyone else is ignoring the MIT study that says that droplets travel 8 metres.

 

Could it be because if the CDC told people to social distance by 8 metres everyone would call them buffoons?

 

Droplets linger for 14 minutes in the air. Travel over 8 metres. Yet 1.5 or 2 metres social distancing. 

 

These people don't know what they're doing. As they showed when they failed to produce test kits that worked in a timely manner, thereby causing the US to have the death toll it has today.

[Logosone]

2 minutes ago, ClaySmc said:

Most of those diseases aren't as infectious as Covid-19, and won't overwhelm the hospital systems, and kill off the medical staff. This lockdown is about one thing, controlling the virus enough so that there's more than one doctor left standing at the end of the day...to take care of those other ailments.

Except they cant' take care of this particular ailment. No treatment. No cure. No vaccine. All they can do is intubate them and watch them die.

 

Lockdown has not controlled the virus at all, as we saw in the UK.

[johnpetersen]

16 minutes ago, Logosone said:

Not at all.

 

This survey is mostly about old studies relating to MERS and SARS. The authors say:

 

Masks and protective eye coverings may also add protective benefits, though the evidence for that was less clear cut, they added. 

 

And yet the headline says something else entirely, the headline writer needs a little more practice.

 

Besides, this is not an actual study, we've seen these collated reports before. An undergrad could do it, list all the studies he could find. And what was the conclusion? Evidence is not clear cut. Lol,

 

They can't all be right. This is not how science works. We did not tot up studies to determine if the earth revolves around the sun. If we'd done that we'd still think the sun revolves around the earth.

 

It's not about quantity. It's about who's right. A mere survey will not tell you that.

 

 

 

Actually, one of the ways science works is exactly like this. It's called meta-analysis and it combines lots of smaller studies into one big study. It's a well established technique. And your comparison of this method to polling mere opinions is obviously invalid. Opinions aren't the same thing as published research.

MERS and SARS are both coronaviruses and are roughly the same size as the Covid virus. So the effect of barriers and distancing should be similar.

[johnpetersen]

12 minutes ago, Logosone said:

I also don't get why the CDC and everyone else is ignoring the MIT study that says that droplets travel 8 metres.

 

Could it be because if the CDC told people to social distance by 8 metres everyone would call them buffoons?

 

Droplets linger for 14 minutes in the air. Travel over 8 metres. Yet 1.5 or 2 metres social distancing. 

 

These people don't know what they're doing. As they showed when they failed to produce test kits that worked in a timely manner, thereby causing the US to have the death toll it has today.

What the MIT study says is that droplets can travel up to 8 meters. Not that all do or nearly all. The heavier droplets which contain more virus particles don't travel that far. So while smaller droplets can travel further, they carry less virus. When it comes to getting infected by viruses and bacteria, the issue of viral load is crucial.

[johnpetersen]

18 minutes ago, Logosone said:

I also don't get why the CDC and everyone else is ignoring the MIT study that says that droplets travel 8 metres.

 

Could it be because if the CDC told people to social distance by 8 metres everyone would call them buffoons?

 

Droplets linger for 14 minutes in the air. Travel over 8 metres. Yet 1.5 or 2 metres social distancing. 

 

These people don't know what they're doing. As they showed when they failed to produce test kits that worked in a timely manner, thereby causing the US to have the death toll it has today.

Another way you're distorting that info from MIT is by omitting the fact that 8 meter transmission is when a person coughs or sneezes. It's not about ordinary conversation. And given current sensitivity about someone sneezing or coughing in public, it seems unlikely that it's happening much.

[whaleboneman]

15 hours ago, bodga said:

So whats the problem with a tissue then?Gob  it  all into a mask you can fiddle  with all day instead, the same mask that should be changed when damp which must be in Thailand  about every 30  minutes with the heat, bet they dont change them weekly in practice.

Change when strap breaks.