Maintaining face mask use before and after achieving different COVID-19 vaccination coverage levels: a modelling study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Face mask wearing has been an important part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As vaccination coverage progresses in countries, relaxation of such practices is increasing. Subsequent COVID-19 surges have raised the questions of whether face masks should be encouraged or required and for how long. Here, we aim to assess the value of maintaining face masks use indoors according to different COVID-19 vaccination coverage levels in the USA.

Methods

In this computational simulation-model study, we developed and used a Monte Carlo simulation model representing the US population and SARS-CoV-2 spread. Simulation experiments compared what would happen if face masks were used versus not used until given final vaccination coverages were achieved. Different scenarios

SUBMITTER: Bartsch SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8903840 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature