Masks could prevent a majority of COVID-19 deaths

Wearing a face mask in public could be the most important step we can take to cutting future COVID-19 cases and deaths, according to a new model from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

The researchers estimate that if 95% of people now start wearing masks anytime they’re in public, it could prevent over 45,000 deaths by November 1, about a 58 percent reduction. That model predicts that universal mask usage could reduce the number of infections by 80 percent.

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Fortunately, the American public seems to be on board with face masks. In late June, almost 9 of every 10 adults say they had worn a mask in public in the previous seven days, compared to only 51 percent in April. Still, 11 percent of adults recently surveyed said they have not considered wearing a mask.

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