key: cord-0896295-i3fkdut0
authors: Kamata, Kazuhiro; Ohmagari, Norio; Tokuda, Yasuharu
title: Universal public use of surgical mask and respiratory viral infection
date: 2020-05-29
journal: J Gen Fam Med
DOI: 10.1002/jgf2.340
sha: 0c1206310ee9e8b3d0aac86d709a3f15d2141dce
doc_id: 896295
cord_uid: i3fkdut0

nan

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization warned the shortage of surgical masks because of the increased demanding and stocking up. 1 The price of masks has surged in many countries. In Japan, the practice of wearing a mask has been common not only during this COVID-19 outbreak but also during winter seasons every year, although it has been unclear whether wearing a mask universally could reduce the risk of respiratory viral infection in a population. 2 

The authors have stated explicitly that there are no conflicts of interest in connection with this article. 

Shortage of personal protective equipment endangering health workers worldwide

Use of surgical face masks to reduce the incidence of the common cold among health care workers in Japan: a randomized controlled trial

Rational use of face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic

Public knowledge and perception about antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance in Japan: a national questionnaire survey in 2017

Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses: a systematic review