Face masks in radiation oncology clinics: based on evidence or source of mistakes?

Klement, Rainer J; Sweeney, Reinhart A

Klement, Rainer J; Sweeney, Reinhart A.

Klement RJ; Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Leopoldina Hospital Schweinfurt, Robert-Koch-Straße 10, 97422, Schweinfurt, Germany. rainer_klement@gmx.de.
Sweeney RA; Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Leopoldina Hospital Schweinfurt, Robert-Koch-Straße 10, 97422, Schweinfurt, Germany.

Med Oncol ; 37(9): 76, 2020 Aug 01.

Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-691683

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

We here express our concern about a general decree to let patients wear face masks in radiation oncology clinics. We believe that potential risks associated with wearing masks, such as the risk of confounding patients, outweigh any benefits of such a policy for which evidence of protection from COVID-19 is generally weak. For asymptomatic patients, wearing masks in addition to hygiene standards will not provide additional protection of others and should be cautioned against.

Subject(s)

Betacoronavirus/isolation & purification; Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology; Evidence-Based Medicine; Masks/statistics & numerical data; Masks/standards; Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology; Radiation Oncology/standards; Radiotherapy Setup Errors/prevention & control; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections/transmission; Coronavirus Infections/virology; Humans; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral/transmission; Pneumonia, Viral/virology; SARS-CoV-2

Keywords

COVID-19; Face masks; Radiation oncology; SARS-CoV-2

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Coronavirus Infections / Radiation Oncology / Evidence-Based Medicine / Radiotherapy Setup Errors / Betacoronavirus / Masks Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Med Oncol Journal subject: Neoplasms Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12032-020-01403-8

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