|
|
Face masks and respirators as protection against viruses and bacteria
Varga, Michal ; Mišík, Ondrej (referee) ; Lízal, František (advisor)
Pandemic caused by virus SARS-CoV-2 brought high attention to face masks and raised some questions about their filtration efficiency and performance affecting parameters such as high humidity, long term usage, fit factor, or possible decontamination methods for usage prolonging. In this thesis, mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and structure and materials of face masks are firstly discussed. Then mechanisms of particle deposition on filter fibers are described. Subsequently standards of surgical masks, cloth masks and respirators are described and compared, with detail on carbon dioxide concentration under respirator. Nanoparticles and their possible effects on enhancing face mask parameters are briefly characterized. Then filtration efficiency and affecting parameters are evaluated. And finally possible decontamination methods for face masks reusability are summarized.
|
|
|
The Effect of Face Masks on Covid Transmission: A Meta-Analysis
Lušková, Martina ; Havránková, Zuzana (advisor) ; Bertoli, Paola (referee)
The effect of face masks on Covid-19 transmission is crucial for the health of populations. Nevertheless, its economic consequences cannot be overlooked. To perform a quantitative meta-analysis, 258 estimates from 44 primary studies were collected together with more than 30 variables mirroring the differences among the studies. Publication bias was examined by implementing various statistical tests resulting in mild evidence for the phenomenon. We contribute to other meta-analyses on the topic by employing the Bayesian and Frequen- tist model averaging to identify the drivers behind the heterogeneity of the estimates. The results suggest that temperature, geographical latitude, and panel data structure have a highly statistically significant and positive effect on the risk of transmission associated with mask-wearing. Moreover, a pos- itive effect was identified for healthcare set-up. In contrast, performing an aerosol-generating procedure shifts the risk in the negative direction. JEL Classification I1, I11, I19, Keywords meta-analysis, Covid-19, face masks, pan- demic, Covid-19 transmission, publication bias, Bayesian model averaging Title The Effect of Face Masks on Covid Transmis- sion: A Meta-Analysis
|
|
|
Face masks and respirators as protection against viruses and bacteria
Varga, Michal ; Mišík, Ondrej (referee) ; Lízal, František (advisor)
Pandemic caused by virus SARS-CoV-2 brought high attention to face masks and raised some questions about their filtration efficiency and performance affecting parameters such as high humidity, long term usage, fit factor, or possible decontamination methods for usage prolonging. In this thesis, mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and structure and materials of face masks are firstly discussed. Then mechanisms of particle deposition on filter fibers are described. Subsequently standards of surgical masks, cloth masks and respirators are described and compared, with detail on carbon dioxide concentration under respirator. Nanoparticles and their possible effects on enhancing face mask parameters are briefly characterized. Then filtration efficiency and affecting parameters are evaluated. And finally possible decontamination methods for face masks reusability are summarized.
|
|
|
The Economics of Face Masks: application of VSL's controversy and GDP's critique on the case of the Czech face masks sewing initiative and its value estimation
Malá, Markéta ; Schwarz, Jiří (advisor) ; Havránková, Zuzana (referee)
The thesis describes the economic context of the face masks sewing initiative in the Czech Republic (the prompt and extensive help of volunteers with tackling the face masks' shortage during the COVID-19 pandemics) and attempts to estimate its economic value. Even in the most conservative scenario that assumes efficacy of face masks to be only 8 %, the results suggest that the initiative still created lower units of billions CZK in economic value as a result of contributing to the prevention of 6,290 - 18,825 infections, 1,006 - 3,012 hospitalizations and 95 - 284 deaths only within the first month. If we assume 20 % masks efficacy, the initiative's value equals to 1 - 9 % of the Czech monthly GDP .
|
guest ::
