COVID-19 mainly spreads through droplets infected people breathe out, and unsuspecting people take in. It therefore follows if we can insert a barrier, we can block the flow of respiratory droplets between people. A policy decision by the state of Kansas proved masks slow COVID spread. The remaining question is, of course how do we convince the people this is something they should do.
CDC Study Reveals Kansas Proved Masks Slow COVID Spread
The Governor of Kansas issued an executive order effective July 30, 2020, requiring masks in public spaces. However, Kansas counties had authority to opt out the policy as they wished. This provided a relatively unique opportunity to isolate the benefits of masks compared to a control group. As it happened, 24 counties complied with the order, while 81 opted out.
The results, as processed by Centers for Disease Control CDC show the Governor of Kansas proved masks slowed COVID spread in the compliant areas. That’s because those 24 counties decreased their COVID-19 incidence. While it continued to increase in the 81 counties that chose to go their own way.
What the CDC and Kansas Health Found When They Looked
CDC and Kansas Health Department looked at Covid-19 case trends between June 1 and July 2, before the mandate. And then they compared this with what happened from July 3 to August 23 to contrast results.
The 24 compliant counties showed an average 6% decrease in COVID cases. While the net increase in the other 81 was 100%. The concluding paragraph to the Centers for Disease Control report reads as follows. ‘Countywide mask mandates appear to have contributed to the mitigation of COVID-19 transmission in mandated counties.
‘Community-level mitigation strategies emphasizing use of masks, physical distancing, staying at home when ill, and enhanced hygiene practices can help reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.’
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Preview Image: Refer CDC Report
