[WEARING A MASK IS A PERSONAL PROTECTION AGAINST SARS-COV-2 INFECTION EVEN IN A VACCINATION-ON-BOARDING COUNTRY].

Bord, Shiran; Epstein, Yoram; Guttman, Nurit; Dunchin, Milka; Jakobovich, Ronit; Cohen, Ohad; Neumark, Yehuda; Keidar, Osnat; Schenker, Inon

INTRODUCTION Even with the advent of the COVID-19 vaccine, masks and social distancing are recommended as a precautionary measure to suppress SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease. In Israel, as in many other countries, despite official regulations and widespread availability and accessibility to affordable effective masks, the use of face masks is not consistent or universal. Physicians and other medical and health professionals have a vital role to play in communicating to the public about the importance of masking and encouraging people to wear face masks correctly and consistently. This review underscores the importance of masking as a protective public health mitigation measure. It describes types of face masks mainly used by the public and their effectiveness. It emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing barriers (e.g., physical, social, economic) to encourage widespread and sustained appropriate use of masks. The article also proposes strategies to enhance masking, such as changing social norms through targeted local interventions and governmental control of mask quality and price.