Preventing epidemics by wearing masks: An application to COVID-19

The goal of this work is to consider widespread use of face masks as a non-pharmaceutical control strategy for the COVID-19 pandemic. A SEIR model that divides the population into individuals that wear masks and those that do not is considered. After calculating the basic reproductive number by a next generation approach, a criterion for determining when an epidemic can be prevented by the use of masks only and the critical percentage of mask users for disease prevention in the population are derived. The results are then applied to real world data from the United States, Brazil and Italy. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This work aims to examine the use of face masks as a non-pharmaceutical measure for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. By utilizing a SEIR model and calculating the basic reproductive number, the study derived criteria for epidemic prevention solely through mask usage and the critical percentage of mask users needed for disease prevention in the population. These findings were then applied to real world data from the United States, Brazil, and Italy.