Federal governments need to be cautious about the messaging around required mask using to guarantee the policy is totally effective, say researchers.
When authorities in Bangladesh announced a legal requirement for masks to be used outside the house, there was an associated increase in the variety of journeys individuals made, not just to go to work but to go to shops, parks, transport hubs and entertainment centers– and a drop in the quantity of time people remained at house.
That increased movement was linked with a rise in COVID-19 cases, with the researchers noting: “… daily movement had a statistically substantial association on day-to-day brand-new cases.”
Dr. Zia Wadud, Associate Professor at the University of Leedss School of Chemical and Process Engineering, who led the study, said there is increasing evidence from lab and observational research studies that face coverings when used effectively can decrease the spread of the infection that causes COVID-19.
But those advantages could be decreased or lost totally if the messaging around obligatory mask wearing is not clear and the guidelines are not correctly carried out.
He stated: “In Bangladesh, the proof suggested that individuals may have regarded the statement that they would be required to wear a mask as a signal that it would allow them to go back to a regular lifestyle as long as they complied with the rules over face coverings.
” And that was not the case. Individuals needed to be told– and reminded continuously– that mask wearing was an additional measure together with limiting travel and close interaction with others.”
The research study, involving scientists from the University of Leeds and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, shines a light on what is understood as “risk payment”, where people embrace riskier behaviour if they feel an intervention is making them more secure– for example, motorcyclists may go faster if they are using a crash helmet.
The research study– Face mask requireds and run the risk of settlement: an analysis of movement data throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh– is released today (January 10, 2022) in the journal BMJ Global Health.
Around 160 countries have introduced procedures including the mandatory wearing of masks. Although the study involved information gathered in Bangladesh, the findings apply more broadly.
From mid-March 2020, Bangladesh began to shut down as the number of COVID-19 cases began to quickly increase. University closed, followed in quick succession by going shopping centres, work environments and transport centers. The obligatory requirement to use a mask or other face covering when beyond the home was enforced on 21 July 2020.
The Bangladesh research study involved an analysis of Google community movement information gathered by smart phones and other Android devices.
The information supplied aggregated generic place details. People were recorded as either being at house; at work; in a retail or recreation setting; at a grocery or pharmacy shop; in a park; or at a transport hub.
The analysis found “statistically significant evidence” that in the days after compulsory mask using was introduced, activity at specific areas increased throughout a 7-day duration:
5.8% in retail and recreation areas; 4.2% in parks; 5.9% in transportation centers; and 2.6% in work environments.
When somebody was infected for their case to be shown in the main figures, it took about 10 days from. Examining the time-lagged information enabled the researchers to verify that the increase in movement was related to a rise in the variety of covid cases, validating an observation seen in other clinical research studies.
Dr. Sheikh Mokhlesur Rahman, co-author from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, included: “The research study reveals that the compulsory requirement for masks might lead to a threat settlement result, which could decrease the desired efficiency of using masks. It is very important that policymakers acknowledge this possibility to much better design their COVID-19 mitigation procedures.”
Reference: “Face mask mandates and risk compensation: an analysis of mobility information during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh” 10 January 2022, BMJ Global Health.DOI: 10.1136/ bmjgh-2021-006803.