WRA 101 Project 2

Khalid Dunor

Due Date: 05/30/2020

Professor: N.Mccleese

WRA 101 Project 2

Cultural Artefact of the Covid-19 Pandemic

As we face the COVID-19 pandemic our country is largely ignoring a potential transmission control tool – the community’s use of facial masks in public spaces. Ample evidence from historical studies early 1900’s, modern filtration experiments of different materials and pathogens, and observational studies exist to suggest that mass masking of the community would decrease the transmissivity of SARS-10 CoV-2 and accelerate the flattening of the curve in which we are engaged. The WHO and CDC claim a lack of randomized trials as rationale for not promoting community use of face masks. But we have shut down the schools, workplaces, and social events. In this essay, I will address the evidence that we do have regarding mask-wearing, and why we need a billion homemade cloth mask challenge.

I will not mention that the only countries that have been able to control this virus as of May 28, 2020, have a culture of mask-wearing. As an uncouth American, I used to smile at seeing people wearing face masks in public places. I presumed that the people under the mask were germophobic. With the escalating SARS-CoV-2 pandemic I have revised my thinking substantially. I now salute these individuals, with courage enough to brave the stares and snickers. They are not just protecting themselves, they are protecting others. Two major factors inform this change of thought. First, a large proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections are asymptomatic. I am encouraged when I see others in a mask because their actions provide me with some protection against any asymptomatic infection they are potentially carrying. Second, wearing masks at a population level may work to reduce transmission at the population level.

Let me emphasize here though that the population should begin wearing cloth masks (even homemade cloth masks). In the US as in other countries, the growing COVID-19 pandemic has strained medical supplies, and shortages are faced in key areas including N95 respirators and surgical masks. (Preliminary reports out of Wuhan suggest that N95 respirators were highly effective at preventing SARS-CoV-2 35 transmission to clinicians). Thus, to begin wearing an N95 respirator or even a surgical mask in public would take these infection-preventing tools away from medical providers who need them most.

None of the historical studies, filtration experiments, or observational studies examined the SARS-118 CoV-2 pathogen itself. We can, however, make inferences about the effectiveness of masks and different materials on the size of the pathogens that were studied.

DMU Timestamp: May 11, 2020 21:16