COVID-19: Mask or no mask;

COVID-19: MASK OR NO MASK; THIS IS NOT THE ONLY QUESTION. "ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ACTION PLAN" TO FIGHT THE PANDEMIC! - II

Recent public messages support the use of masks/cloths to avoid infecting others that creates more hazardous #household#waste (HHW). Also, the critical pathway of the in-house transmission of COVID-19 due to touching, handling and disposing of tissue paper, #masks, etc. generated by patients have not discussed. Garbage handling & sharing trash cans, such as in care facilities, apartment complexes & daycares, could be the cause of unexplained #clusters[?]. Unlike hospitals & industry, the general public isn't familiar with the management of hazardous waste.

I developed a dynamic #model (figure)to #simulate COVID-19 specific HHW at the population level subject to assumptions: 1% of regular waste is viral hazardous (flu), COVID-19 increases to 2 times that is 5 times more harmful.

The model suggests HHW increases from 1% to 10%<. Also, all waste would be "potentially" #hazardous.

We need environmental health guidelines & #public messages on handling & disposing of #COVID-19 specific HHW (not just toxic) ASAP. COVID-19 Pandemic tests all sections of the health system! #Environmental#health must be incorporated into preventive measures.

Reza Afshari, PhD, Toxicologist-Epidemiologist