{"id":1189,"date":"2021-05-20T08:31:45","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T08:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diabetesasia.org\/magazine\/?p=1189"},"modified":"2025-03-22T10:29:58","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T04:59:58","slug":"identifying-airborne-transmission-as-the-dominant-route-for-the-spread-of-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diabetesasia.org\/magazine\/identifying-airborne-transmission-as-the-dominant-route-for-the-spread-of-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Airborne transmission route for the spread of COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Airborne transmission course<\/b> for the unfold<\/b> of COVID-19 four<\/b> months in the past<\/b> Dr. Rajesh Jain covid-19<\/div>\n
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aerosol contamination<\/b> Identifying airborne transmission because the<\/b> dominant course<\/b> for the unfold<\/b> of COVID-19<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>Renyi Zhang, ProfileYixin Li, Annie L. Zhang, ProfileYuan Wang, and Mario J. Molina Significance We have elucidated the transmission pathways of coronavirus ailment<\/b> 2019 (COVID-19) through<\/b> studying<\/b> the fashion<\/b> and mitigation measures withinside the<\/b> 3<\/b> epicenters. Our consequences<\/b> display<\/b> that the airborne transmission course<\/b> is notably<\/b> virulent and dominant for the unfolding<\/b> of COVID-19. The mitigation measures are discernable from the traits<\/b> of the pandemic. Our evaluation<\/b> shows<\/b> that the distinction<\/b> with and without<\/b> mandated face masking\u00a0represents the determinant in shaping the traits<\/b> of the pandemic. This defensive<\/b> degree<\/b> notably<\/b> reduces the wide variety<\/b> of infections. Other mitigation measures, together with<\/b> social distancing carried out<\/b> inside the<\/b> United States, are inadequate<\/b> through<\/b> themselves in shielding<\/b> the general public<\/b>. Our paintings<\/b> additionally<\/b> highlight the need<\/b> that sound technological know-how<\/b> is crucial<\/b> in decision-making for the modern<\/b> and destiny<\/b> public fitness<\/b> pandemics. Abstract Various mitigation measures have been<\/b> carried out<\/b> to combat<\/b> the coronavirus ailment<\/b> 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, consisting of<\/b> extensively<\/b> followed<\/b> social distancing and mandated face masking<\/b>. However, assessing the effectiveness of these<\/b> intervention practices hinges on the<\/b> expertise<\/b> of virus transmission, which stays<\/b> uncertain. Here we display<\/b> that airborne transmission is notably<\/b> virulent and represents the dominant course<\/b> to unfold<\/b> the ailment<\/b>. By studying<\/b> the fashion<\/b> and mitigation measures in Wuhan, China, Italy, and New York City, from January 23 to May 9<\/b>, 2020, we illustrate that the effects<\/b> of mitigation measures are discernable from the traits<\/b> of the pandemic. Our evaluation<\/b> famous<\/b> that the distinction<\/b> with and without<\/b> mandated face masking masking\u00a0represents the determinant in shaping the pandemic traits<\/b> inside the<\/b> 3<\/b> epicenters. This defensive<\/b> degree<\/b> on my own<\/b> notably<\/b> decreased<\/b> the wide variety<\/b> of infections, this is<\/b>, through<\/b> over 75,000 in Italy from April 6 to May nine<\/b> and over 66,000 in New York City from April 17 to May nine<\/b>. Other mitigation measures and social distancing carried out inside the United States are inadequate in shielding<\/b> the general public<\/b>. We concluded<\/b> that carrying<\/b> of face mask<\/b> in public corresponds to the handiest<\/b> method<\/b> to save <\/b>interhuman transmission, and this less expensive<\/b> practice, at the side of<\/b> simultaneous social distancing, quarantine, and making contact with<\/b> tracing, represents the maximum<\/b> possible<\/b> combating<\/b> possibility<\/b> to prevent<\/b> the COVID-19 pandemic. Our paintings<\/b> additionally<\/b> highlight the reality<\/b> that sounds technological know-how<\/b> is crucial<\/b> in decision-making for modern<\/b> and destiny<\/b> public fitness<\/b> pandemics. Keywords: COVID-19 virus aerosol public fitness<\/b> pandemic The novel coronavirus outbreak, coronavirus ailment<\/b> 2019 (COVID-19), which turned into<\/b> declared a virulent disease<\/b> by<\/b> the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, has inflamed<\/b> over four<\/b> million human beings<\/b> and triggered<\/b> almost<\/b> 300,000 fatalities over 188 international locations<\/b>.<\/div>\n
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\"AirborneAn in-depth<\/b> attempt<\/b> is ongoing to set up<\/b> powerful<\/b> remedies<\/b> and expand<\/b> a vaccine for the ailment<\/b>. The novel coronavirus, named intense<\/b> acute breathing<\/b> syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), belongs to its circle of relatives<\/b> of the pathogen that is<\/b> liable for<\/b> breathing<\/b> contamination<\/b> related<\/b> to the 2002\u20132003 outbreak (SARS-CoV-1). The enveloped virus carries<\/b> a positive-experience<\/b> single-stranded RNA genome and a nucleocapsid of helical symmetry of \u223cone hundred twenty<\/b> nm. There exist numerous<\/b> doable<\/b> pathways for viruses to be transmitted from man or woman<\/b> to man or woman<\/b>. Human atomization of virus-bearing debris<\/b> happens<\/b> from coughing\/sneezing or even<\/b> from regular<\/b> breathing\/speaking<\/b> through<\/b> an inflamed<\/b> man or woman<\/b>. These mechanisms of viral dropping<\/b> produce huge<\/b> droplets and small aerosols, that are<\/b> conventionally delineated at a length<\/b> of five<\/b> \u03bcm to signify<\/b> their awesome<\/b> dispersion efficiencies and house<\/b> instances<\/b> in air in addition to<\/b> the deposition styles<\/b> alongside<\/b> the human breathing<\/b> tract. Virus transmission happens<\/b> through<\/b> direct (deposited on persons) or oblique<\/b> (deposited on objects) touch<\/b> and airborne (droplets and aerosols) routes. Large droplets without problems<\/b> settle out of the air to motivate<\/b> man or woman<\/b>\/item<\/b> contamination; in comparison<\/b>, aerosols are successfully<\/b> dispersed inside the<\/b> air. While transmission through<\/b> direct or oblique<\/b> touch<\/b> happens<\/b> in a brief<\/b> variety<\/b>, airborne transmission through<\/b> aerosols can arise<\/b> over a prolonged<\/b> distance and time. Inhaled virus-bearing aerosols deposit at once<\/b> alongside<\/b> the human breathing<\/b> tract. Previous experimental and observational research<\/b> on interhuman transmission has indicated a big<\/b> position<\/b> of aerosols inside the<\/b> transmission of many breathing<\/b> viruses, consisting of<\/b> the influenza virus, SARS-CoV-1, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). For example, airborne coronavirus MERS-CoV exhibited a sturdy<\/b> functionality<\/b> of surviving, with approximately<\/b> 64% of microorganisms ultimately<\/b> infectious 60 min after atomization at 25 \u00b0C and 79% relative humidity (RH). On the opposite<\/b> hand, speedy<\/b> virus decay happened<\/b>, with handiestthe <\/b>five<\/b>\u00a0survival over a 60-minute technique<\/b> at 38 \u00b0C and 24% RH, indicative of inactivation. Recent experimental research<\/b> has tested<\/b> the stableness<\/b> of SARS-CoV-2, displaying<\/b> that the virus stays<\/b> infectious in aerosols for hours and on surfaces as much as<\/b> days. Several parameters possibly<\/b> impact<\/b> the microorganism\u2019s survival and shipping<\/b> in air, consisting of<\/b> temperature, humidity, microbial resistance to outside<\/b> bodily<\/b> and organic<\/b> stresses, and sun<\/b> ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Transmission and infectivity of airborne viruses also depend<\/b>\u00a0on<\/b> the dimensions<\/b> and awareness<\/b> of inhaled aerosols, which alter<\/b> the amount (dose) and sample<\/b> for breathing<\/b> deposition. With ordinary<\/b> nasal breathing (i.e., at a pace<\/b> of \u223c1 m\u22c5s\u22121), inhalation of airborne viruses ends in<\/b> direct and non-stop<\/b> deposition into the human breathing<\/b> tract. In particular, great<\/b> aerosols (i.e., particulate count number<\/b> smaller than 2. five<\/b> \u03bcm, or PM2.five<\/b>) penetrate deeply into the breathing<\/b> tract or even<\/b> attain<\/b> different<\/b> essential<\/b> organs. In addition, viral dropping<\/b> depends\u00a0on<\/b> the tiers<\/b> of contamination<\/b> and varies among<\/b> symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers. The latest<\/b> locating<\/b> confirmed<\/b> that the best<\/b> viral load inside the<\/b> higher<\/b> breathing<\/b> tract happens<\/b> on the<\/b> symptom onset, suggesting the height<\/b> of infectiousness on or earlier than<\/b> the symptom onset and good-sized<\/b> asymptomatic transmission for SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-19 outbreak is notably<\/b> extra<\/b> reported<\/b> than that of the 2002\/2003 SARS, and the ailment<\/b> continues<\/b> to unfold<\/b> at an alarming charge<\/b> internationally<\/b>, regardless of<\/b> severe<\/b> measures taken by<\/b> many nations<\/b> to constrain the pandemic. The large<\/b> scope and importance<\/b> of the COVID-19 outbreak mirror<\/b> now no longer<\/b> handiest<\/b> a notably<\/b> contagious nature however<\/b> additionally<\/b> extraordinarily<\/b> green<\/b> transmission for SARS-CoV-2. Currently, the mechanisms to unfold<\/b> the virus continue to be<\/b> uncertain, especially<\/b> thinking about<\/b> the relative contribution of the touch<\/b> vs. airborne transmission routes to this worldwide<\/b> pandemic. Available epidemiological and experimental evidence, however, implicates airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through<\/b> aerosols as a capability<\/b> course<\/b> for the spreading of the ailment<\/b>. Distinct Pandemic Trends Inside the<\/b> Three Epicenters To advantage<\/b> perception<\/b> of the mechanism of the virus transmission routes and determine<\/b> the effectiveness of mitigation measures, we analyzed the fashion<\/b> of the pandemic international<\/b> from January 23 to May nine<\/b>, 2020. The COVID-19 outbreak first of all<\/b> emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The number of infections and fatalities in China ruled<\/b> the worldwide<\/b> fashion<\/b> for <\/b>January and February 2020, however, <\/b>will increase<\/b> inside the<\/b> newly shown<\/b> instances,<\/b> and fatalities in China have exhibited sharp declines because of<\/b> February. In comparison<\/b> to the curve pulling down<\/b> in China, the <\/b>numbers in different<\/b> international locations<\/b> have elevated<\/b> sharply since<\/b> the start<\/b> of March. The epicenter shifted from Wuhan to Italy in early March and to New York City (NYC) in early April. By April 30, the numbers of COVID-19 instances<\/b> and deaths, respectively, reached over 200,000 and 27,000 in Italy and over a million<\/b> and 52,000 inside the<\/b> United States, in comparison<\/b> to approximately<\/b> 84,000 and four<\/b>, six hundred<\/b> in China. Notably, the curves in Italy show off<\/b> a slowing fashion<\/b> because<\/b> mid-April, even as<\/b> the numbers inside the<\/b> international<\/b> and the US<\/b> preserve<\/b> to growth<\/b>. Remarkably, the latest<\/b> traits<\/b> inside the<\/b> numbers of infections and fatalities in the<\/b> international<\/b> and the<\/b> United States show off-putting<\/b>\u00a0linearity because of<\/b> the start<\/b> of April. Understanding the Impacts of Face Covering Compared to the simultaneous implementation of measures in China, intervention measures had been<\/b> successively carried out<\/b> inside the<\/b> Western international<\/b> (Fig. 2A), offering<\/b> a possibility<\/b> for assessing their relative effectiveness. We quantified the consequences<\/b> of face masking\u00a0by<\/b> projecting the wide variety<\/b> of infections primarily based totally<\/b> on the<\/b> information<\/b> previous to<\/b> enforcing<\/b> using<\/b> face masks<\/b> in Italy on April 6 and NYC on April 17. Such projections are affordable<\/b> thinking about<\/b> the incredible<\/b> linear correlation for the information<\/b> previous to<\/b> the onset of mandated face masking<\/b>. Our evaluation<\/b> suggests<\/b> that face-masking<\/b> decreased<\/b> the wide variety<\/b> of infections through<\/b> over 75,000 in Italy from April 6 to May 9<\/b> and through<\/b> over 66,000 in NYC from April 17 to May 9<\/b>. In addition, various<\/b> correlations from 15 d to 30 d previous to<\/b> the onset of the implementation famous<\/b> little distinction<\/b> inside the<\/b> projection for each<\/b> place, due to<\/b> the excessive<\/b> correlation coefficients (SI Appendix, Fig. S1). Notably, the traits<\/b> of the contamination<\/b> curves in Italy and NYC comparison<\/b> to the ones<\/b> withinside the<\/b> international<\/b> and withinside the<\/b> United States (Fig. 1C), which display<\/b> little deviation from the linearity because of<\/b> the non-implementation of face-masking<\/b> measures globally and nationally, respectively. The incapability<\/b> of social distancing, quarantine, and isolation on my own<\/b> to scale down<\/b> the unfold<\/b> of COVID-19 is likewise<\/b> glaring<\/b> from the linearity of the contamination<\/b> curve previous to<\/b> the onset of the face-masking<\/b> rule in Italy on April 6 and in NYC on April 17 (Fig. 2 B and C). Hence, the distinction<\/b> made through<\/b> enforcing<\/b> face masking\u00a0notably<\/b> shapes the pandemic traits<\/b> internationally<\/b>. Dominant Airborne Transmission We similarly<\/b> elucidated the contribution of airborne transmission to the COVID-19 outbreak by<\/b> evaluating<\/b> the traits<\/b> and mitigation measures for the duration of<\/b> the pandemic internationally<\/b> and by<\/b> thinking about<\/b> the virus transmission routes (Fig four<\/b>). Face masking<\/b> prevents each<\/b> airborne transmission through<\/b> blockading<\/b> atomization and inhalation of virus-bearing aerosols and makes contact with<\/b> transmission through<\/b> blockading<\/b> viral dropping<\/b> of droplets. On the opposite<\/b> hand, social distancing, quarantine, and isolation, at the side of<\/b> hand sanitizing, limit<\/b> touch<\/b> (direct and oblique<\/b>) transmission however<\/b> now no longer<\/b> shield<\/b> towards<\/b> airborne transmission. With social distancing, quarantine, and isolation in areas<\/b> internationally<\/b> and within the<\/b> United States since<\/b> the start<\/b> of April, airborne transmission represents the handiest<\/b> feasible<\/b> course<\/b> for spreading the ailment<\/b>, while<\/b> mandated face masking<\/b> isn’t always<\/b> carried out<\/b>. Similarly, the airborne transmission additionally<\/b> contributes dominantly to the linear growth<\/b> inside the<\/b> contamination<\/b> previous to<\/b> the onset of mandated face-masking<\/b> in Italy and NYC (Fig. 2 B and C and SI Appendix, Fig. S1). Hence, the specific<\/b> characteristic<\/b> of face-masking<\/b> to dam<\/b> atomization and inhalation of virus-bearing aerosols bills<\/b> for the notably<\/b> decreased<\/b> infections in China, Italy, and NYC (Figs. 1\u20133), indicating that airborne transmission of COVID-19 represents the dominant course<\/b> for contamination<\/b>. A Policy Perspective The governments\u2019 responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have to this point<\/b> differed notably<\/b> internationally<\/b>. Swift moves<\/b> to the preliminary<\/b> outbreak had been<\/b> undertaken in China, as meditated<\/b> through<\/b> almost<\/b> simultaneous implementation of numerous<\/b> competitive<\/b> mitigation measures. On the other<\/b> hand, the reaction<\/b> to the pandemic is<\/b> usually<\/b> gradual<\/b> inside the<\/b> Western international<\/b>, and implementation of the intervention measures happened<\/b> handiest<\/b> consecutively. The responsiveness of the mitigation measures ruled<\/b> the evolution, scope, and importance<\/b> of the pandemic globally (Figs. 1 and 2). Curbing COVID-19 is based<\/b> now no longer<\/b> on decisive and sweeping moves<\/b> but<\/b> additionally<\/b>, critically, on the<\/b> medical<\/b> expertise<\/b> of the virus transmission routes, which determines the effectiveness of the mitigation measures (Fig five<\/b>). In the US<\/b>, social distancing and stay-at-domestic<\/b> measures, at the side of<\/b> hand sanitizing (Fig. five<\/b>, direction<\/b> A), had been<\/b> carried out<\/b> for the duration of<\/b> the early degree<\/b> of the pandemic (20). These measures minimized brief<\/b>–variety<\/b> touch<\/b> transmission however<\/b> now no longer<\/b> save you<\/b> long-variety<\/b> airborne transmission, liable for<\/b> the inefficient containing of the pandemic inside the<\/b> United States (Figs. 1 and 3). Mandated face masking<\/b>, together with<\/b> the ones<\/b> carried out<\/b> in China, Italy, and NYC, efficaciously<\/b> avoided<\/b> airborne transmission through<\/b> blockading<\/b> atomization and inhalation of virus-bearing aerosols and made contact with<\/b> transmission through<\/b> blockading<\/b> viral dropping<\/b> of droplets. While the blended<\/b> face-masking<\/b> and social distancing measures presented<\/b> twin<\/b> safety<\/b> towards<\/b> the virus transmission routes, the timing and collection<\/b> in enforcing<\/b> the measures additionally<\/b> exhibited awesome<\/b> effects<\/b> for the duration of<\/b> the pandemic. For example, social distancing measures, consisting of<\/b> metropolis<\/b> lockdowns and stay-at-domestic<\/b> orders, had been<\/b> carried out<\/b> properly<\/b> earlier than<\/b> face masking<\/b> turned <\/b>mandated in Italy and NYC (Fig. five<\/b>, direction<\/b> B), and this collection<\/b> left a prolonged<\/b> window (28 d in Italy and 32 d in NYC) for in large part<\/b> uninterrupted airborne transmission to unfold<\/b> the ailment<\/b> (Figs. 2 and 3). The simultaneous implementation of face masking<\/b> and social distancing (Fig. five<\/b>, direction<\/b> C), together with<\/b> that undertaken in China, turned into<\/b> maximum<\/b> optimal, and this configuration, at the side of<\/b> widespread<\/b> checking out<\/b> and making contact with<\/b> tracing, turned into<\/b> liable for<\/b> the curve pulling down<\/b> in China (Fig. 1). Also, there possibly<\/b> existed remnants of virus transmission after the implementation of regulatory measures, due to<\/b> instances<\/b> while<\/b> the measures had been<\/b> now no longer<\/b> sensible<\/b> or had been<\/b> disobeyed and\/or imperfection of the measures. Such limitations, which have been<\/b> emphasized<\/b> by<\/b> the WHO (1), spurred on arguable<\/b> perspectives<\/b> on the<\/b> validity of carrying<\/b> a face mask<\/b> to save you<\/b> from virus transmission for the duration of<\/b> the pandemic (30). However, it’s far<\/b> incredible<\/b> that the constraints<\/b> of mitigation measures on my own<\/b> contributed dominantly to the worldwide<\/b> pandemic fashion<\/b>, as exemplified by<\/b> the achievement<\/b> in China. Our paintings<\/b> indicate<\/b> that the failure to contain the propagation of the COVID-19 pandemic internationally<\/b> is <\/b>attributed to the unrecognized significance<\/b> of airborne virus transmission (1, 20). Fig. five<\/b>. Download PowerPoint Fig. 5<\/b>. Mitigation paradigm. Scenarios of virus transmission below<\/b> the distancing\/quarantine\/isolation degree<\/b> handiest<\/b> (direction<\/b> A), the measures with distancing\/quarantine\/isolation observed<\/b> through<\/b> face masking<\/b> (direction<\/b> B), and the measures with simultaneous face masking<\/b> and distancing\/quarantine\/isolation (direction<\/b> C). The brief<\/b>-dashed arrows label viable<\/b> remnants of virus transmission because of<\/b> instances<\/b> where<\/b> the degree<\/b> isn’t always<\/b> viable<\/b> or disobeyed and\/or imperfection of the degree<\/b>. Conclusions The insufficient<\/b> understanding<\/b> of virus transmission has necessarily<\/b> hindered the improvement<\/b> of powerful<\/b> mitigation rules<\/b> and resulted in the<\/b> unstoppable propagation of the COVID-19 pandemic (Figs. 1\u20133). In this painting<\/b>, we display<\/b> that airborne transmission, especially<\/b> through<\/b> nascent aerosols from human atomization, is notably<\/b> virulent and represents the dominant course<\/b> for the transmission of this ailment<\/b>. However, the significance<\/b> of airborne transmission has now no longer<\/b> been taken into consideration<\/b> in the status quo<\/b> of mitigation measures through<\/b> authorities<\/b> authorities (1, 20). Specifically, even as<\/b> the WHO and American<\/b> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have emphasized<\/b> the prevention of touch<\/b> transmission, each<\/b> WHO and CDC has in large part<\/b> left out<\/b> the significance<\/b> of the airborne transmission course<\/b> (1, 20). The modern<\/b> mitigation measures, together with<\/b> social distancing, quarantine, and isolation carried out<\/b> inside the<\/b> United States, are inadequate<\/b> through<\/b> themselves in shielding<\/b> the general public<\/b>. Our evaluation<\/b> famous<\/b> that the distinction<\/b> with and without<\/b> mandated face masking\u00a0represents the determinant in shaping the traits<\/b> of the pandemic international<\/b>. We finish<\/b> that carrying<\/b> of face mask<\/b> in public corresponds to the handiest<\/b> method<\/b> to save you<\/b> interhuman transmission, and this less expensive<\/b> practice, at the side of<\/b> widespread<\/b> checking out<\/b>, quarantine, and make contact with<\/b> tracing, poses the maximum<\/b> in all likelihood<\/b> combating<\/b> possibility<\/b> to prevent<\/b> the COVID-19 pandemic, previous to<\/b> the improvement<\/b> of a vaccine. It is likewise<\/b> critical<\/b> to emphasize<\/b> that sound technological know-how<\/b> must<\/b> be efficaciously<\/b> communicated to policymakers and must<\/b> represent<\/b> the top<\/b> basis<\/b> in decision-making amid this pandemic. Implementing rules<\/b> without<\/b> a systematic<\/b> foundation<\/b> should<\/b> cause<\/b> catastrophic consequences, especially<\/b> in mild<\/b> tries<\/b> to reopen the economic system<\/b> in many nations<\/b>. Integration among<\/b> technological know-how<\/b> and coverage<\/b> is important<\/b> to the components<\/b> of powerful<\/b> emergency responses through<\/b> policymakers and preparedness through<\/b> the general public<\/b> for the modern<\/b> and destiny<\/b> public fitness<\/b> pandemics. WhatsAppFacebookTwitterShare<\/div>\n
\"Airborne<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Identifying airborne transmission as the dominant route for the spread of COVID-19<\/h1>\n

Renyi Zhang, ProfileYixin Li, Annie L. Zhang,\u00a0 ProfileYuan Wang, and Mario J. Molina<\/p>\n

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Significance<\/h2>\n

We have elucidated the transmission pathways of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by analyzing the trend and mitigation measures in the three epicenters. Our results show that the airborne transmission route is highly virulent and dominant for the spread of COVID-19. The mitigation measures are discernable from the trends of the pandemic. Our analysis reveals that the difference with and without mandated face-covering represents the determinant in shaping the trends of the pandemic. This protective measure significantly reduces the number of infections. Other mitigation measures, such as social distancing implemented in the United States, are insufficient by themselves in protecting the public. Our work also highlights the necessity that sound science is essential in decision-making for the current and future public health pandemics.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Abstract<\/h2>\n

Various mitigation measures have been implemented to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including widely adopted social distancing and mandated face covering. However, assessing the effectiveness of those intervention practices hinges on the understanding of virus transmission, which remains uncertain. Here we show that airborne transmission is highly virulent and represents the dominant route to spread the disease. By analyzing the trend and mitigation measures in Wuhan, China, Italy, and New York City, from January 23 to May 9, 2020, we illustrate that the impacts of mitigation measures are discernable from the trends of the pandemic. Our analysis reveals that the difference with and without mandated face-covering represents the determinant in shaping the pandemic trends in the three epicenters. This protective measure alone significantly reduced the number of infections, that is, by over 75,000 in Italy from April 6 to May 9 and over 66,000 in New York City from April 17 to May 9. Other mitigation measures, such as social distancing implemented in the United States, are insufficient by themselves in protecting the public. We conclude that wearing face masks in public corresponds to the most effective means to prevent interhuman transmission, and this inexpensive practice, in conjunction with simultaneous social distancing, quarantine, and contact tracing, represents the most likely fighting opportunity to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work also highlights the fact that sound science is essential in decision-making for current and future public health pandemics.<\/p>\n

Keywords:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n