Mask crisis during the COVID-19 outbreak

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan, China, led to a global health crisis.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) reported the initial outbreak on December 31, 2019.
• As of February 29, 2020, China reported 79,389 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the immense daily demand for face masks in China due to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.
• To emphasize the critical need for effective mask waste management strategies.
• To underscore the global implications of China's mask shortage and waste issues.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of reported SARS-CoV-2 cases in China.
• Estimation of daily face mask demand based on population size and usage assumptions.
• Discussion of government measures and the need for waste disposal solutions.

Main Results:

• Daily mask demand in China was estimated at 900 million units, assuming two-thirds of the population wears masks daily.
• The Chinese government implemented measures to address mask shortages.
• The study identified the urgent need for proper disposal of mask waste.

Conclusions:

• The high demand for masks during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presents significant waste management challenges.
• Effective strategies for mask disposal are essential to mitigate environmental impact and prevent disease transmission.
• The issues of mask supply and waste in China warrant international attention due to the global nature of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.