Face coverings do not give wearers a false sense of security that allows them to take part in risky coronavirus-catching behaviour, research suggests.
Researchers, led by Theresa Marteau from the University of Cambridge, say the concept of risk compensation, which suggests people can become apathetic to other public health measures if they wear a mask, is no longer relevant.
Face coverings are now recommended or mandated in more than 160 countries as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report, published in medical journal The BMJ, looked at studies to find wearing a mask does not reduce the frequency of handwashing or hand sanitising, and that people tend to move away from those wearing a mask.
The study found that the concept of risk compensation, rather than the behaviour, seemed to be a greater threat to public health through delaying potentially effective interventions.
At least 22 systematic reviews assessed the effect of wearing a mask on the transmission of respiratory virus infections, researchers said.
These included six experimental studies conducted in community settings that also measured hand hygiene.
The University of Cambridge analysis builds on work in 2016 that called risk compensation theory “a dead horse that no longer needs to be beaten".
“We would add that this dead horse now needs burying to try to prevent the continued threat it poses through slowing the adoption of effective public health interventions,” researchers said.
They said the idea of risk compensation could be used to stop effective interventions about which people hold strong views by arguing that such a measure might be worse than no measure.
“There is, however, no compelling evidence that such risk compensation exists at a population level,” they said.
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Profile of VoucherSkout
Date of launch: November 2016
Founder: David Tobias
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers
Sector: Technology
Size: 18 employees
Stage: Embarking on a Series A round to raise $5 million in the first quarter of 2019 with a 20 per cent stake
Investors: Seed round was self-funded with “millions of dollars”
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
Scores
Oman 109-3 in 18.4 overs (Aqib Ilyas 45 not out, Aamir Kaleem 27) beat UAE 108-9 in 20 overs (Usman 27, Mustafa 24, Fayyaz 3-16, Bilal 3-23)
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
Ponti
Sharlene Teo, Pan Macmillan
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
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If you go
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
When to go
The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
