COVID-19 prevention – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

November 27, 2022

COVID nasal sprays may one day prevent and treat infection. Here’s where the science is up to

Lara Herrero, Griffith University

Researchers are revisiting old drugs and designing new ones to prevent and treat COVID.

Fit, fabric and design affect mask effectiveness. (Windsor Essex Sewing Force)

March 29, 2022

What’s next with face masks? Keep wearing them in public, wear the best mask available and pay attention to fit

Catherine Clase, McMaster University; Charles-Francois de Lannoy, McMaster University; Ken G. Drouillard, University of Windsor, and Scott Laengert, McMaster University

We tested well-fitting cloth masks made from 16 kinds of cotton, on human participants, to see how many provided filtration comparable with a certified medical mask. Most of them did.

A woman wears a face mask as she walks by the sculpture ‘The Illuminated Crowd’ on a street in Montréal. Vulnerable people may benefit from measures like face masks even after the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

March 10, 2022

Should public health measures like masking continue beyond the pandemic? Data on viral infections shows their benefits

Rutvij A. Khanolkar, University of Calgary and Eddy S. Lang, University of Calgary

Decreases in respiratory infections during the pandemic suggest there may be a continued role for the selective, non-mandated use of measures like masks and social distancing even post-COVID-19.

High-touch surfaces in grocery stores were tested as a potential transmission point for SARS-CoV-2. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

October 4, 2021

Testing high-touch surfaces in grocery stores for COVID-19

Maleeka Singh, University of Guelph; Lawrence Goodridge, University of Guelph; Maria G. Corradini, University of Guelph; Robert Hanner, University of Guelph, and Steven Newmaster, University of Guelph

The risk of COVID-19 exposure from high-touch surfaces within grocery stores is low if physical distancing guidelines and recommended cleaning protocols are followed.

It’s tempting to take a break from pandemic precautions. Erin Clark for The Boston Globe via Getty Images

October 23, 2020

Sick of COVID-19? Here’s why you might have pandemic fatigue

Jay Maddock, Texas A&M University

It’s draining and depressing to stay on high alert month after month after month. Understanding pandemic fatigue better might help you strengthen your resolve.

People wear face masks as they gather in a city park on Canada Day in Montréal. Incentives could encourage more Canadians, especially younger Canadians, to embrace COVID-19 safety measures. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

July 15, 2020

To change coronavirus behaviours, think like a marketer

Monica C. LaBarge, Queen's University, Ontario and Jacob Brower, Queen's University, Ontario

Policy-makers and public health officials would be wise to consider a modern, data-driven approach and incentives to encourage people to adhere to safety measures in the COVID-19 era.

June 22, 2020

After lockdown: what you can expect when you go to the dentist

Manas Dave, University of Manchester; Beatriz Goulao, University of Aberdeen, and Gavin J Wilson, University of Leeds

Dental care guidance from 16 countries around the world has been reviewed to help UK governments create policy that makes a trip to the dentist as safe as possible.

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