Universal masking: An effective strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19? (Hong Kong Based)

Wearing masks in public has been made an obligation to prevent the pandemic ”COVID-19”, where memories of the SARS outbreak in 2003 remain strong among the people of Hong Kong. However, in many overseas countries, wearing masks have been discouraged for possibilities of increasing risk of infection due to a false sense of security.

As aligned with WHO (World Health Organization) and the United States CDC (Centre for Disease Control) guidelines, similar to other European countries, stated that only people who are Health Care Workers (HCWs), sick or taking care of sick people are recommended to wear masks. During the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, news from overseas countries reported that people wearing masks were being discriminated against or even attacked. In the US, President Trump announced in public unnecessary universal masking and he would not wear a mask even though CDC issued an advisory suggestion that everyone should wear face masks in public for the prevention of COVID-19.

Even in a recent press conference, President Trump mocked a White House reporter for wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020. During a visit to a factory where they manufacture sterile cotton swabs that would be used in the coronavirus testing, his refusal to wear masks resulted in tossing out of the entire day’s production. The culture discrepancy in western countries, as well as a negative role model from nation leader, might be one of the high COVID-19 confirmed cases in the US leading to breaking down of health care systems due to the low alertness of respiratory protection during COVID-19 pandemics.

We cannot exclude that COVID-19, as a new pathogen, can be spread by people before symptom onset or even without symptoms. In this situation, it makes sense to wear a face mask if you have to go into a crowded area, especially for those who are at higher risk of complications (older people, those with a long-term medical condition, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women).

In Hong Kong, the number of COVID-19 cases was low as compared with other countries due to strict compliance of universal masking, social distancing and a series of infection control measures including Intense surveillance for infections, contact tracing COVID-19 cases with compulsory quarantined in quarantine camps, 14 days’ quarantine with compulsory COVID-19 specimen saving for all inbound travellers and residents. Before COVID-19 pandemics announced by WHO, Hong Kong government hospitals collaborate with the department of health to get prepare for the worse. Universal masking had been applied to all people entering into government hospitals in late January 2020 when the emergency response level had been levelled up. Though there were several clustering of local COVID-19 in Hong Kong, as the recent Lek Yuen Estate, with the intense contact tracing and quarantine measures, the COVID-19 was considered to be under controlled. However, with the slowing down of the disease, reopening of boarders without quarantine measures might be another wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Therefore, it is utmost important for the Hong Kong government to balance the economic impact and public health concern resulting from the disease in the long term.

Written on: June 22, 2020

References:

1. Rumpf S (2020) Trump Destroys Factory’s Entire Daily Batch of Coronavirus Swabs By Refusing to Wear a Mask. Available at :

https://www.mediaite.com/donald-trump/trump-destroys-factorys-entire-daily-batch-of-coronavirus-swabs-by-refusing-to-wear-a-mask/

2. Choudhury N (2020) The science behind the Hong Kong COVID-19 strategy, 2020. Available at :

https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/hong-kong-covid-19/85733/

Cover Photo:

CDC now recommending universal masking. (2020). Retrieved 10 August 2020, from https://wxow.com/2020/04/10/cdc-now-recommending-universal-masking/