Long-Term Acceptability of Hygiene, Face Covering, and Social Distancing Interventions to Prevent Exacerbations in people living with Airways Diseases

Abstract

Introduction: There has been a substantial reduction in admissions to hospital with exacerbations of airways diseases during the COVID19 pandemic, likely because measures introduced to prevent the spread of SARSCoV2 also reduced transmission of other respiratory viruses. The acceptability to patients of continuing such interventions beyond the pandemic as a measure to prevent exacerbations is not known. Method: An online survey of people living with respiratory disease was created by the Asthma UK British Lung Foundation Partnership. People were asked what infection control measures they expected to continue themselves, and what they thought should be policy for the population more generally in the future, once the COVID19 pandemic had subsided. Results: 4442 people completed the survey: 3627 with asthma, 258 with bronchiectasis and 557 with COPD. Regarding personal behaviour, 79.5% would continue increased handwashing, 68.6% social distancing indoors, 46.9% would continue to wear a face covering in indoor public places (45.7% on public transport), and 59.3% would avoid friends and family who were unwell with a respiratory infection. 45.6% wanted healthcare professionals to continue wearing a mask when seeing patients. 60.7% thought that face coverings should continue to be worn by everyone in indoor public spaces during the flu season. Women and older people were, in general, more cautious. Conclusion: People living with airways diseases are supportive of infection control measures to reduce the risk of exacerbations and such measures should be considered for inclusion in guidelines. Further research to refine understanding of the most effective approaches is needed.

Reduction in COPD exacerbations during COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Sykes et al [30] such as hand hygiene and face coverings to reduce respiratory virus transmission in the general population, although endorsing routine use was noted to be potentially difficult in a non-epidemic period [9]. A recent study assessed the acceptability to people living with respiratory disease of continuing such physical interventions to prevent exacerbations of airways diseases beyond the pandemic [37]. People living with COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis were supportive of some ongoing infection control interventions and the authors recommended that such measures be considered in future guidelines [37].…”

“…A recent study assessed the acceptability to people living with respiratory disease of continuing such physical interventions to prevent exacerbations of airways diseases beyond the pandemic [37]. People living with COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis were supportive of some ongoing infection control interventions and the authors recommended that such measures be considered in future guidelines [37]. Acceptance of restrictions varied by age and sex (and these influences are included in our DAG).…”

Reduction in hospitalised COPD exacerbations during COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A Cochrane review has highlighted the efficacy of simple, lowcost physical interventions such as hand hygiene and face coverings to reduce respiratory virus transmission in the general population, although endorsing routine use was noted to be potentially difficult in a non-epidemic period [9]. A recent study assessed the acceptability to people living with respiratory disease of continuing such physical interventions to prevent exacerbations of airways diseases beyond the pandemic [36]. People living with COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis were supportive of some on-going infection control interventions and the authors recommended that such measures be considered in future guidelines [36].…”

“…A recent study assessed the acceptability to people living with respiratory disease of continuing such physical interventions to prevent exacerbations of airways diseases beyond the pandemic [36]. People living with COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis were supportive of some on-going infection control interventions and the authors recommended that such measures be considered in future guidelines [36]. Acceptance of restrictions varied by age and sex (and these influences are included in our DAG).…”

Playing the harmonica with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A qualitative study

“…With COVID-19 still present, many individuals with respiratory disease may be wary of returning to groups. Indeed, the majority of individuals with respiratory disease are keen to continue social distancing and mask wearing, 34 both of which make playing harmonica in a group difficult. There has been a reported 50% reduction in COPD admissions during COVID-19.…”