As we reflect on the intense pandemic we faced across the United States and world, we remember that masks were at one point a coveted luxury as the essential protective gear recommended by the CDC.
COVID-19 was a largely airborne virus spread when carriers ejected droplets by breathing, talking or coughing. The concept of social distancing came from trying to avoid these droplets by keeping distance from those who may be infected, knowingly or not.
“Masks are one of the simplest, yet most effective options we have to slow the spread of the virus,” Ajay Sethi said, who is an associate professor, population health sciences and faculty director, Master of Public Health program at UW School of Medicine and Public Health.
Because of their significant role in slowing the spread of COVID-19, Sethi thinks masks will remain familiar in American society for the foreseeable future. Masks and social distancing also lowered the rates of more common respiratory illnesses like the cold and flu in 2020.
“Sick individuals should stay home, but many people do go out or come to work sick for a variety of reasons,” Sethi said. “For many respiratory conditions, like flu, a cold or COVID-19, a mask will be a must for people who choose to leave their homes while ill.”
In other countries, long-term and daily mask wear is more common. Flexible workspaces may also result in flexible sick days, taking work from home instead of risking exposure.
Stay tuned for more coverage on this from NBC 26.
