Just as we begin to recover from 2020’s tidal wave of perpetual pandemic panic, experts warn about a potential “second wave” of coronavirus. However, you may not have to restock on the extra toilet paper, alcohol, and video games just yet. Luckily, a resurgence isn't totally inevitable or out of our control.
As public health experts keep reminding us, there is a cheap but powerful tool in our arsenal to stop this dreaded boomerang effect in its tracks: face masks. While viral mask movements call for immediate, universal adoption of face masks by the public, science confirms that if only half the population covered up, a second wave of Covid-19 could be entirely prevented.
Welcome to the Abstract podcast. I’m Tanya Bustos, your host.
Our first story is about the research showing face masks can dramatically curb Covid-19 cases if at least 50% of people wear them. While masks aren’t a catch-all, experts stress they’re one of the most effective, practical tools to beat back Covid-19 — especially in resource-strapped areas of the world.
Our second story looks at how to further get this mask-message across. Through a series of interconnected pro-mask initiatives that stretch from the United States to Czech Republic, viral movements are looking to change mask policies around the world — and some are succeeding.
Read more at Inverse.com:
Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract
FACE MASKS FIGHT VIRUS:
https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/face-masks-to-fight-coronavirus-second-wave
MASK MOVEMENT:
https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/social-media-pro-mask-movement-coronavirus
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