key: cord-0949317-r66eulqj authors: Wu, Erxi; Qi, Dan title: Masks and thermometers: Paramount measures to stop the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States date: 2020-04-25 journal: Genes Dis DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.04.011 sha: 5b5fe021a624b46b871749064cd5523a1f570336 doc_id: 949317 cord_uid: r66eulqj Abstract In the United States, there is currently an exponential growth for the COVID-19 cases. The US president’s coronavirus guidelines for Americans “30 Days to Slow The Spread” are necessary. To effectively curb the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2, two more control measures masks and thermometers are strongly suggested to be included in the Guidelines. There are no approved drugs or vaccines for COVID-19 yet, although there are clinical trials going on 6 . Thus, the prevention to mitigate the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 is the important step now. We believe that masks and thermometers are key measures to curb COVID-19 from rapidly spreading. These two measures are not highlighted in US president's coronavirus guidelines for American "15 Days to Slow The Spread" (Figure 1) . The official CDC guidance initially only recommends that people who feel or are sick, as well as for the health workers and caregivers who must interact with infected individuals on a regular basis should wear masks 4,7-11 . The thought from these guidelines is that masks do not necessarily protect healthy people from getting infected in a public setting. The official guidelines say that people should stick to frequent hand-washing and maintaining a social distance (> 6 feet). Many of the US hospital staff even do not wear masks in the working environment even now. However, the recent outbreak rage in US with far more confirmed cases than any other country 12 has put more people in this country now at risk of getting sick. We strongly suggest that the healthy individuals, especially those engaged in essential business must wear masks regularly, especially in any situation involving more than two people in order to curb the spreading of the COVID-19 virus. This practice will help prevent spread, particularly asymptomatic transmission. We recommend that everyone in the healthcare setting be required to wear masks, including medical staff, support staff, research staff, patients, and visitors. We hope the officials will enforce or put this in the guidelines. According to the current evidence, COVID-19 virus is transmitted easily between people by droplets carried through sneezing and close contact through respiratory tract 13 . Recent research shows that talking to people and airborne can transmit coronavirus 14 . A very recent study published on April 3, 2020 demonstrated that surgical face masks could prevent transmission of human coronaviruses from symptomatic individuals 15 . Moreover, presymptomatic or asymptomatic coronavirus carriers could spread the COVID-19 coronaviruses 16 . In addition, keeping social distancing (e.g., stay at least 6 feet away from other people) may not be enough when people are moving around. For example, one person may enter a place where another person has just stayed. As the COVID-19 coronavirus can cause the significant morbidity and mortality 1,17 , wearing a mask can protect health individual and sick people. Another quick measure to mitigate COVID-19 rapid spreading is the non-contact handheld cutaneous infra-red thermometer for fever screening. Research shows that 98.6 % of COVID-19 patients tested had a fever than normal 18, 19 . Therefore, although it will not screen in every individual, a temperature check can be used as a quick screening tool that is cost-efficient and useful. When people enter public spaces, we must measure their body temperature to make sure that those identified with a fever get further confirmation by coronavirus test kits 20 , stay at home or obtain appropriate medical care if needed. No single measure will work 100%, but if we use a variety of modalities, especially key measures such as wearing facemasks and temperature screenings are implemented, we can curb the rapid spreading of the COVID-19 virus. We cannot panic during this pandemic, but we all must take effective measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 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