The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
J Gen Intern Med. 2021 Sep;36(9):2739-2744. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06324-w. Epub 2020 Nov 3.
Recent mandates to wear masks in public places across the USA combined with conflicting messaging from the media and government agencies have generated a lot of patient questions surrounding the appropriate use and efficacy of cloth masks. Here, we have organized the evidence in the context of real patient questions and have provided example answers from a physician's perspective. The purpose of this review is to offer healthcare providers with examples of how to respond to patient questions about masks in a way that encourages responsible decision-making. We conclude, based on the evidence showing a benefit for cloth masks and the recent reports supporting a role for aerosols in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, that cloth masks will be effective when used correctly. We further assert that stronger public messaging surrounding cloth masks in the community setting is needed, and should specify that 2-3 layer, fitted face masks be worn at all times in public as another layer of protection in addition to social distancing, not just when social distancing cannot be maintained.
最近，美国各地公共场所都强制要求佩戴口罩，而媒体和政府机构发布的信息相互矛盾，这导致患者对布制口罩的正确使用和有效性提出了很多疑问。在这里，我们根据实际患者提出的问题，整理了相关证据，并从医生的角度提供了一些示例回答。本文旨在为医护人员提供一些范例，以便他们能够针对患者提出的口罩相关问题进行解答，鼓励患者做出负责任的决策。我们的结论是，基于布制口罩有效的证据，以及最近关于 SARS-CoV-2 气溶胶传播作用的报告，正确使用布制口罩将会有效。我们进一步断言，在社区环境中，需要加强有关布制口罩的公共宣传，并明确规定在公共场所始终佩戴 2-3 层贴合面部的口罩，这是除保持社交距离之外的另一层保护措施，而不仅仅是在无法保持社交距离时佩戴。
