Can Koreans be ‘FREE’ from mask wearing?: Advanced mathematical model can suggest the idea

Abstract

Background It was found that more than half of the population in Korea had a prior COVID-19 infection. In 2022, most nonpharmaceutical interventions, except mask-wearing indoors, had been lifted. Discussions about easing the indoor mask mandate are ongoing. Methods We developed an age-structured compartmental model that distinguishes vaccination history, prior infection, and medical staff from the rest of the population. Contact patterns among hosts were separated based on age and location. We simulated scenarios with the lifting of the mask mandate all at once or sequentially according to the locations. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of a new variant assuming that it has higher transmissibility and risk of breakthrough infection. Findings We found that the peak size of administered severe patients might not exceed 1,100 when the mask mandate is lifted everywhere, and 800 if the mask mandate only remains in the hospital. If the mask mandate is lifted in a sequence (except hospital), then the peak size of administered severe patients did not exceed 650. Moreover, if the new variant have both of higher transmissibility and immune reduction therefore the effective reproductive number of the new variant is approximately 3 times higher than the current variant, additional interventions may be needed to keep the administered severe patients from exceeding 2,000, which is the critical level we set. Interpretation Our findings showed that the lifting of the mask mandate, except in hospitals, would be applicable more manageable if it is implemented sequentially. Considering a new variant, we found that depending on the population immunity and transmissibility of the variant, wearing masks and other interventions may be necessary for controlling the disease.

Attitudes and Practices of the Public Toward Precautionary Measures Post-COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

“…Meanwhile, face masks at hospitals should stay in place to safeguard the elderly. 43 Bin Abdulrahman et al studied the obligation of Saudi citizens toward the governmental prevention guidelines during the pandemic. Most of the residents and healthcare workers have been compliant with the instructions given by the ministry of health.…”