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| London Jazz singer Kitty LaRoar wearing a matching face covering with her vintage outfit. Photo credit: Nicholas Shankland.
Context in source publication
Context 1
... face coverings are usually characterised by personalisation and a bottom-up approach to manufacturing and distribution. They can be homemade, from an existing piece of clothing or purchased from a store for convenience, to display a brand or to match an outfit (fig 1). There are examples of face coverings with animal noses, creating a sense of playfulness that may make them more acceptable to children. ...
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Citations
... Thus, people after vaccination are 22.7% more likely to wear masks than before and 8.0% more likely to wash their hands. People's behaviours depend on the behaviours of others; hence, they follow social norms (Habersaat et al., 2020;Ohtake, 2022;Sasaki et al., 2022;van der Westhuizen et al., 2020). Peer pressure is stronger for wearing masks than for washing hands because surrounding people in a public place can more easily see whether one wears a mask than whether one washes one's hands. ...
The COVID-19 vaccine reduces infection risk; even if one contracts COVID-19, the probability of complications such as death or hospitalisation is lower. However, vaccination may prompt people to decrease preventive behaviours, such as staying home, washing hands, and wearing a mask. Therefore, if vaccinated people pursue only self-interest, the vaccine’s effect may be lower than expected. However, if vaccinated people are pro-social (motivated toward benefits for the whole society), they might maintain preventive behaviours to reduce the spread of infection. We conducted 26 surveys almost once a month from March 2020 (the early stage of COVID-19) to September 2022 in Japan. By corresponding with identical individuals, we independently constructed the original panel data (N = 70,908). Based on the data, we identified the timing of the second vaccine shot and compared preventive behaviours before and after vaccination. We investigated whether second-shot vaccination correlated with changes in preventive behaviours. Furthermore, we explored whether the vaccination effect differed between the older and younger groups. We then investigated the effect of pro-social motivation on preventive behaviours. Major findings are as follows: (1) Being vaccinated led people to increase preventive behaviours, such as mask-wearing by 1.04 (95% confidence intervals [Cis]: 0.96–1.11) points, and hand hygiene by 0.34 (95% CIs: 0.30–0.38) points on a 5-point scale. (2) Vaccinated people under 65 are less likely to stay home. (3) People with pro-social motivation to be vaccinated are more likely to maintain prevention than those not so motivated; on a 5-point scale, the difference is 0.08 (95% CIs: 0.01–0.15) points for mask-wearing and 0.05 (95% CIs: 0.001–0.10) points for hand hygiene. After vaccination, the opportunity cost of staying home outweighs its benefits, and people are less inclined to stay at home. This effect is lower in older people who are at a higher risk of serious illness. The opportunity cost of wearing masks and hand hygiene is lower than that of staying home, and the benefit persists after vaccination if people are motivated to maintain these behaviours for others’ well-being.
... The effectiveness of mask wearing as a public health strategy to curb viral spread at a population scale can be influenced by numerous factors [69]. However, one primary determinant is how consistently individuals comply with mask wearing guidelines, such as wearing them continuously in high-risk regions and ensuring a good fit [70][71][72][73][74]. Martín-Sánchez et al. reported large COVID-19 outbreaks in places like bars, restaurants, or gyms where strict adherence to mask wearing rules was difficult, despite 99% of adults reportedly wearing masks in public [73]. ...
Elevated face temperature due to mask wearing can cause discomfort and skin irritation, making mask mandates challenging. When thermal discomfort becomes intolerable, individuals instinctively or unknowingly loosen or remove their facemasks, compromising the mask’s protective efficacy. The objective of this study was to numerically quantify the microclimate under the mask and facial thermoregulation when wearing a surgical mask with different levels of misfit. An integrated ambient–mask–face–airway computational model was developed with gaps of varying sizes and locations and was validated against complementary experiments. The low Reynolds number (LRN) k-ω turbulence model with porous media was used to simulate transient respiratory flows. Both skin convective heat transfer and tissue heat generation were considered in thermoregulation under the facemask, besides the warm air exhaled from the body and the cool air inhaled from the ambient. The results of this study showed that when wearing a surgical mask with a perfect fit under normal breathing, the temperature at the philtrum increased by 4.3 °C compared to not wearing a mask. A small gap measuring 0.51 cm2 (gap A) at the nose top resulted in 5.6% leakage but reduced the warming effect by 28% compared to zero gap. Meanwhile, a gap of 4.3 cm2 (R1L1) caused 42% leakage and a 62% reduction in the warming effect. Unique temporospatial temperature profiles were observed at various sampling points and for different gap sizes, which correlated reasonably with the corresponding flow dynamics, particularly close to the gaps. The temperature change rate also exhibited patterns unique to the gap site and sampling point, with distinctive peaks occurring during the inspiratory–expiratory flow transitions. These results have the significant implications that by using the temporospatial temperature profiles at several landmark points, the gap location can potentially be pinpointed, and the gap size and leakage fractions can be quantified.
... This may be explained by context-dependent acceptability; evidence of travel choices from Switzerland indicated that the introduction of a 'mask mandate' did not affect ridership levels [37], suggesting that such mandates were acceptable to passengers. Finally, it is important to consider the social role of certain mitigations, which may work separately to the actual impact on viral transmission, but can influence passengers perceptions of safety [38]. ...
... However, by Phase 2, issues of understanding were more prominent, which was related to the messaging changing frequently and mitigations being implemented, removed and re-implemented. Guidance from behavioural scientists should be followed to promote understanding and compliance with public health messages [42], and also to better understand the social psychology of visible behavioural mitigations such as wearing face coverings [38]. ...
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the operations and functionality of the public transport sector in the UK. This paper reflects on the experience of this sector through the pandemic period, and considers recommendations for any future mitigations required for either new COVID-19 waves or a different public health emergency.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were carried out with public transport experts, organisational leaders, workers and passengers in two phases: Phase 1 from January to May 2021, and Phase 2 from December 2021 to February 2022. Interviews were analysed thematically.
Results
Using the ‘What? So What? Now What?’ reflective model, ideas are drawn out to describe (a) what changes occurred, (b) what effects these changes had on service provision as well as perceptions of risk and mitigation and (c) what lessons have been learned and how these findings can feed into pandemic preparedness for the future. Respondent reflections focussed on the importance of communication, leadership, and maintaining compliance.
Conclusions
The wealth of experience gained through the COVID-19 pandemic in the public transport sector is extremely valuable. Through reflection on this experience, specific recommendations are made relating to these factors, covering: maintaining links across industry, access to information and data, understanding of mitigation effectiveness, improving messaging, challenges of behavioural mitigations, and clear lines of accountability. The recommendations made on the basis of this reflective process will help to improve public health strategy within the public transport sector.
... We came to the conclusion, in line with existing research 17,18 , that face coverings are the most effective intervention as well as the most cost-effective, associated with the highest reductions by percentage in the number of COVID-19 cases after approximately a month. ...
Governments implemented many non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to suppress the spread of COVID-19 with varying results. In this paper, country-level daily time series from Our World in Data facilitates a global analysis of the propagation of the virus, policy responses and human mobility patterns. High death counts and mortality ratios influence policy compliance levels. Evidence of long-term fatigue was found with compliance dropping from over 85% in the first half of 2020 to less than 40% at the start of 2021, driven by factors such as economic necessity and optimism coinciding with vaccine effectiveness. NPIs ranged from facial coverings to restrictions on mobility, and these are compared using an empirical assessment of their impact on the growth rate of case numbers. Masks are the most cost-effective NPI currently available, delivering four times more impact than school closures, and approximately double that of other mobility restrictions. Gathering restrictions were the second most effective. International travel controls and public information campaigns had negligible effects. Literacy rates and income support played key roles in maintaining compliance. A 10% increase in literacy rate was associated with a 3.2% increase in compliance, while income support of greater than half of previous earnings increased compliance by 4.8%.
... Threatening stimuli lead to defensive reactions and involuntary decisions 43,44 ; a negative distortion of ToM, even in otherwise healthy individuals, might therefore be expected to have significant psychological effects. For example, the use of masks in the classroom might hinder empathy and trust between students and teachers, thus increasing psychosocial stress during crucial developmental periods 45 . ...
Face masks obscure a significant portion of the face, reducing the amount of information available to gauge the mental states of others—that is, to exercise the Theory of Mind (ToM) capacity. In three experiments, we assessed the effect of face masks on ToM judgements, measuring recognition accuracy, perceived valence, and perceived arousal in various sets of facial expressions comprising 45 different mental states. Significant effects of face masks were found in all three variables. Judgements of all expressions are less accurate when masked, but, while judgements of negative expressions do not show consistent changes in valence or arousal, positive expressions are perceived to be less positive and less intense. In addition, we identified face muscles associated with changes in perceived valence and arousal, shedding light on the mechanisms through which masks impact ToM judgements, which might be relevant for mitigation strategies. We discuss the implications of these findings in the context of the recent pandemic.
... Another scenario of uncertainty and contradiction colliding with our habits concerns the modified courtesy protocol for biosecurity protocols previously reserved for healthcare workers. (Van der Westhuizen et al., 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with declining trust and credibility. ...
The global population is feeling the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. The effects of this pandemic have been felt on all levels of society, including the economy, people's health, and their mental state. As a result, it's becoming urgent to study the impact of the pandemic on people's mental health. With this context in mind, we conducted a literature search of the PubMed database for information about the COVID-19 outbreak that was relevant to mental health. In order to synthesize the existing literature addressing mental health issues and stressors connected to the COVID-19 epidemic, a narrative review of the literature was conducted. In this investigation, we mostly used PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar to search for relevant articles. Anxiety, heightened anxiety rates, and sadness are only some of the psychopathologies that have been linked to pandemics. Both violent crime and eating problems are on the rise as well. Public institutions should prepare their health systems for the rising number of cases of mental illness. Appropriate preventive measurements should be taken with digital therapeutics. Keywords: Anxiety, COVID-19, Public health, Post-traumatic stress disorder; Depression
... Another scenario of uncertainty and contradiction colliding with our habits concerns the modified courtesy protocol for biosecurity protocols previously reserved for healthcare workers. (Van der Westhuizen et al., 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with declining trust and credibility. ...
The global population is feeling the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. The effects of this pandemic have been felt on all levels of society, including the economy, people's health, and their mental state. As a result, it's becoming urgent to study the impact of the pandemic on people's mental health. With this context in mind, we conducted a literature search of the PubMed database for information about the COVID-19 outbreak that was relevant to mental health. In order to synthesize the existing literature addressing mental health issues and stressors connected to the COVID-19 epidemic, a narrative review of the literature was conducted. In this investigation, we mostly used PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar to search for relevant articles. Anxiety, heightened anxiety rates, and sadness are only some of the psychopathologies that have been linked to pandemics. Both violent crime and eating problems are on the rise as well. Public institutions should prepare their health systems for the rising number of cases of mental illness. Appropriate preventive measurements should be taken with digital therapeutics.
... Hence, this indicates that the degree of wearing masks increases by 23.6% and washing hands by 8.16% after vaccination, compared with before vaccination. People's behaviors depend on behaviors of others; hence; they follow the social norm [16][17][18][19]. Peer pressure is stronger for wearing masks than for washing hands because the surrounding people in a public place can more easily see whether one wears a mask than whether one washes one's hands. ...
The COVID-19 vaccine reduces infection risk: even if one contracts COVID-19, the probability of complications like death or hospitalization is lower. However, vaccination may prompt people to decrease preventive behaviors, such as staying indoors, handwashing, and wearing a mask. Thereby, if vaccinated people pursue only their self-interest, the vaccine's effect may be lower than expected. However, if vaccinated people are pro-social (motivated toward benefit for the whole society), they might maintain preventive behaviors to reduce the spread of infection.
... Researchers also found that 66.7% of air samples taken from hospital hallways contained viral. 23,24 The World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation is that surgical masks should be sufficient when treating COVID-19 patients, and N95 or PAPR respirators should be used only in the case of aerosol-generating procedures. The CDC insists that N95 respirators be used by all medical professionals who contact COVID-19 patients. ...
COVID-19 transmission necessitates health workers to use personal protective equipment (PPE), especially protective masks when delivering medical services. Long-term use of protective masks might cause facial skin injuries. Our study aims to provide a systematic review to explore the phenomenon and incidence of protective masks induced facial skin injuries in primary healthcare workers. This systematic review was created by obtaining articles from the PubMed database and the Cochrane library from 2020 to 2021, using the keywords "Face skin injury," "Wearing protective masks for a long time," and "Wearing protective masks and facial skin disorders." Inclusion criteria were studies that fully report the phenomenon of wearing protective masks and the incidence of facial skin injuries. One hundred and sixty-eight studies were obtained, but only 14 articles matched the inclusion criteria with more than 10,430 participants from different countries that covered various characteristics of facial skin injuries in primary healthcare workers. The findings obtained dominant characteristics of health workers who experienced facial skin injuries: women, N95 masks, and daily N95 coverage for more than 6 hours (p<0.05). Facial skin injuries are often seen after using protective face masks, as it is used for an extended period as part of a defensive effort during work. Therefore, measures that protect health workers from COVID-19 and prevent health workers from potential injuries of protective masks must be taken into account.
... As the pandemic raged, so did debate about the necessity of wearing face masks in day-to-day situations outside medical settings Martin et al. 2020). The media discussion and academic discourse addressing the availability, use and efficacy of various face-coverings (inclusive of DIY ones) have been framed largely in terms of questioning or praising their benefits or harms, while less heed has been given to (1) exploring the implications of masking more broadly as a social practice governed by sociocultural norms (Burgess and Horii 2012;van der Westhuizen et al. 2020) or (2) taking matters of the design of the artefact itself more seriously (Brosseau et al. 2021;Clase et al. 2020), alongside the links of these to everyday practices. Furthermore, little consideration is accorded to the historicity of the practices and regulations involved, experiences of those willing/unwilling to mask, notions of heroism vs. stigmatization and certain utility issues (selection of appropriate materials, proper fit with the various patterns, usability and desirability) -all of which are relevant to design (Kahn 2022;Martin et al. 2020). ...
The article examines an artefact of everyday design – the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) cloth face mask employed against respiratory infections – to interrogate scale and scalar relationships. This lens reveals new perspectives on how practice-based design research can mobilize scale in more nuanced ways. The authors propose that DIY face masks, as artefacts of mundane design engagements both with material (cloth and thread) and with sharing of knowledge (about design, craft and practice), globally and within local networks and communities, direct our attention to scale as a matter of relations, engagements and emergent trajectories. Through empirically led exploration combined with approaching making as sensemaking, the article highlights the multiplicity of design artefacts emerging in DIY mask design spanning several scales and introduces the notion of scalar trajectories across multiple design engagements.