Coronavirus: Masks and social distancing helps but that's not all

Masks and social distancing plays a role in controlling the coronavirus but hand washing, sanitising and other measures are still needed, suggests a new analysis.

Researchers' says that single-layer cloth masks are less effective when compared to the surgical masks. The tight-fitting N95 masks provide the best protection against coronavirus. A distance of minimum one metre between people reduces the risk of catching the virus, whereas two metres is even better.

Eye protection like eyeglasses or cooling glasses can also help. As per an analysis published Monday, none of the strategies works perfectly, and more rigorous research is required.

When it comes to the novel coronavirus, health officials are dependent on studies and researches involving its companions, severe acute respiratory syndrome and the Middle East respiratory syndrome. The outcomes originate from a systematic review of 44 studies, including seven comprising the virus causing COVID-19—the left over-focused on SARS or MERS.

Results are still due and awaited from more rigorous experiments in Canada and Denmark. They are testing masks in randomly assigned groups of nurses and the common public. In anticipation of the new study in the journal, Lancet provides reassurance that masks do help in fighting against the dangerous virus.

When it comes to masks, public health officials have given contradictory advice.

The World Health Organization, which has funded the new analysis, said healthy people should wear a mask or necessary only if they are taking care of a person with COVID-19. On the contrary, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants everyone (common public) should wear at least a cloth mask while going out to a grocery store or in similar situations where maintaining distance is difficult.