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Since the outbreak of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the acute acute coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) respiratory syndrome, universal insult has been practiced in many countries.

Wearing face masks or masks can help reduce the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2, as they prevent the onset of infectious respiratory infections. At the same time, it prevents droplets from reaching people when the disease is sneezing, coughing, talking or breathing.

A team of researchers at the University of Edinburgh, UK, has found that facial wear promotes mental health. Those who wore face masks or masks most of the time had better mental health and well-being than those who did not.

Study: A positive face-to-face connection leads to better mental health and well-being: a long-term study of CovidLife studies.  Image credit: r.classen / Shutterstock

The study, published on pre-printed medRxiv * server, survey of over 11,000 participants across the UK.

Front cover

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends wearing a face mask as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The use of a mask alone is not enough to provide adequate protection, but it is effective in combination with other infection control measures.

The health group also recommends that people wear a mask if they are around others. When you wear the mask properly, it should cover the nose, mouth and chin.

At the same time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging the public to cover the front with print. Surgical and medical masks are intended for health care workers. This is so as not to compromise the supply of this medical equipment, which is essential in protecting frontline workers.

The study

The team conducted lengthy analyzes in the UK. To reach the conclusions of the study, they recruited the participants who completed the CovidLife surveys. The data were collected through the Qualtrics platform between April and June 2020. Participants ’mental health outcomes were evaluated.

The researchers found that adhering to face-covering guidelines was not associated with worsening mental health. The team found that people who always wore the mask had better mental health than those who did not.

Thus, the study shows that face covering or foreign faces do not adversely affect mental health.

The results of the study showed that the numbers of feeling anxious were 58% lower among those who always wore the mask. Symptoms of depression were likely to be 25% lower among people who wore the mask most of the time. Finally, those who felt lonely were 67% lower among those who always wore the mask.

“Indeed, the opposite seems to be the case: stronger adherence to guidelines is associated with less anxiety and loneliness, and higher life satisfaction and well-being,” the researchers wrote in the paper.

The findings of the study are consistent with previous studies that found that others cannot adhere to the rule of wearing a face mask. It manifests the opposite in terms of retention behavior, even if the stigmatization or discomfort of wearing masks harms mental health and well-being.

However, the team stressed that face masks alone are not enough to prevent SARS-Cov-2 infection. Adherence to infection control measures such as washing hands regularly, maintaining social distance, and avoiding crowded areas are critical factors that should be implemented along with face coverage.

“Our data provide strong evidence that following government guidance on face coverage related to mental health and wellbeing is better than worse,” the team concluded.

“This evidence could be an important stimulus for ongoing advocacy with policy makers and engagement with members of the public,” they said.

* Important message

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be seen as final, guiding health-related clinical / behavioral practice, or treatment as established information.

Magazine Reference:

  • Altschul, D., Ritchie, C., Kwong, A., Hartley, L., Nangle, C., Edwards, R. et al. (2020). Face coverage is positively linked to better mental health and well-being: a long-term study of CovidLife studies. medRxiv. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.18.20248477, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.18.20248477v1

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