The heroes of the Covid-19 period are without a shadow of doubt frontline healthcare workers, doctors, and nurses acclaimed for their bravery during the lockdown. In these times of public health concerns, frontline workers in hospitals and care homes have paid a very important price for fighting against the pandemic. A report from Amnesty international based on data monitoring healthcare workers in 63 countries indicates that more than 600 nurses have died from COVID-19 and globally there could be around 200,000 healthcare workers infected. Yet it is not the end of the pandemic although in some the UK towns the lockdown has been stopped. The months to come are critical; As a trial of new vaccines are being deployed, more public health legislations are being enforced, and infection control measures are being imposed in companies to prevent a possible outbreak. Therefore, it is important to know what is working so far.

According to research, it is strongly suggested the first measure of preventing COVID-19 spread is physical distancing, it seems to be effective but cannot be relied on due to its unnatural characteristic; of course, it is assumed in workplaces workers will be equipped permanently with all equipment necessary to protect themselves and patients, but the wearing of face mask at work and in public places is now advised by many researchers as a great way of preventing another wave of COVID-19 infection.

The question is how? well, it is important to know that not all carriers of COVID-19 suffer from the disease, therefore they are asymptomatic and ready to transmit the virus if they don’t wear masks, this phenomenon is not new in the study of public health diseases. A large study on influenza or flu disease in England revealed that 77% of people infected with this recurrent illness have no symptoms but are an important reservoir of flu transmission, suggesting coronavirus could still be unsuspiciously lingering around us.

Experts at the University of Cambridge have favored the wearing of masks as a promising way of preventing another spike of the pandemic. Based on theoretical models, they have anticipated that if only 25 % of the population was to wear the mask it could trigger a second wave, but if at least 50 % was to wear a mask that will be a good step forward to control the spread. Unfortunately, compliance to wearing a mask whenever needed will require behavioral change which does not come naturally but going forward it will be extremely important to wear a mask during these 18 months experts said they will take to get the new vaccine on the markets, especially at a public gathering or crowded places to prevent catastrophic consequences of the second strike of COVID-19.