The researchers said the results underscore the need to continue face masks, social distancing, and hand washing in parallel with the vaccination schedule.

First released on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 18.30 EST

According to the first global study of its kind, wearing a mask is the most effective public health measure to deal with Covid. The study found that this measure is related to a 53% decrease in the incidence of the disease.

Vaccines are safe and effective and can save lives all over the world. But most do not provide 100% protection. Most countries have not vaccinated everyone. It is not clear whether the jab will prevent the spread of new coronavirus variants in the future.

Globally, there were more than 250 million cases of new coronary pneumonia this month. Due to the highly spreading Delta variant, the virus still infects 50 million people globally every 90 days, and thousands of people die every day.

Now, a systematic review and meta-analysis of non-pharmaceutical interventions found for the first time that wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and washing hands are all effective measures to contain cases-wearing masks is the most effective.

The researchers wrote in the BMJ: “This systematic review and meta-analysis show that some personal protection and social measures, including hand washing, wearing masks and keeping physical distance, are related to the reduction in the incidence of Covid-19.”

They said the results emphasized the need to continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and wash hands while vaccinating plans.

Researchers from Monash University and the University of Edinburgh said that multiple measures such as the blockade and closure of borders, schools and workplaces need further analysis to assess their potential negative effects on the population.

As we all know, public health or non-pharmaceutical interventions help fight respiratory infections such as influenza, and countries around the world have tried to use them to curb the spread of Covid.

However, until now, the review has not been strong enough to allow experts to make clear conclusions on the effectiveness of such measures in response to Covid.

A detailed analysis of the results of more than 30 studies from all over the world showed that the incidence of Covid after wearing a mask was statistically significantly reduced by 53%, while maintaining physical distance was reduced by 25%.

Hand washing also showed a significant reduction in the incidence of Covid by 53%, although this is not statistically significant after adjusting for a few hand washing studies.

The researchers said that due to differences in study design, outcome measures, and quality, other measures could not be analyzed in detail, including isolation and isolation, complete blockade, and closure of borders, schools, and workplaces.

At the beginning of the pandemic, many countries adopted the method of wearing masks, but nearly two years later, many countries have now partly or completely abandoned their original requirements.

The Dutch government decided this month to re-enforce the requirement to wear masks in order to slow the recent peak of infections.

Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland have recently tightened their masks. However, Hungary, which has seen a sharp increase in cases this month, refuses to force masks to be worn in closed spaces.

In England, the legal requirement to wear a mask ends in July, except in medical institutions and nursing homes, unless exempted. In Wales, the law still requires it to be worn on public transportation and in all public indoor areas except bars and restaurants. In Scotland, masks must still be worn in shops and public transport, as well as in bars and restaurants where there are no seats. In Northern Ireland, masks must still be worn in public transport and shops.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was criticized by the World Health Organization's special envoy for the new crown virus when he was photographed not wearing a mask when he was in the hospital this month.

When asked about photos of Johnson walking through General Hexham without a mask, Dr. David Nabarro told Sky News: "I will not sit back and watch this-a lot of viruses have already spread there, and everyone Every effort should be made to avoid contracting the virus or spreading it unintentionally.

"We know that wearing a mask will reduce the risk, we know that maintaining physical distance will reduce the risk, and we know that regular hand washing and coughing to the elbow to maintain hygiene can reduce the risk. We should go all out and we should not rely on any kind of intervention. , Such as vaccination."

This article was revised on November 23, 2021. The text and title of the earlier version suggested that related studies have found a causal relationship between wearing a mask and the decrease in the incidence of new coronary pneumonia. To clarify: the author said that the systematic review "shows that it is related to...wearing a mask...has a benefit in reducing the incidence of Covid-19".