Face masks, respiratory patients and COVID-19
Joan B. Soriano, Antonio Anzueto, Sinthia Bosnic‐Anticevich, Alan Kaplan, Marc Miravitlles, Omar S. Usmani, Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos, Francesca Puggioni, Giorgio Walter Canonica, Nicolás Roche
Abstract
Several countries have applied exemptions of respiratory patients on the compulsory use of face masks indoors and outdoors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It must be strongly stated that such exemption is not evidence-based, and it may carry increased risk of personal infection to the estimated 544.9 million people worldwide suffering a chronic respiratory disease [1]. Exemptions of respiratory patients on the compulsory use of face masks for COVID-19 pandemic are not evidence-based <https://bit.ly/2DTu7Y0>
Topics & Concepts
MedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PandemicRespiratory systemFace masksSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakRespiratory illnessIntensive care medicineDiseaseCoronavirusVirologyInternal medicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakInfection Control and VentilationCOVID-19 and healthcare impactsCOVID-19 and Mental Health