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Researchers from Harvard University found that a significant number of asymptomatic supermarket employees tested positive for the new crown when Massachusetts failed to implement mandatory mask regulations.Scientists have found that employees who are in direct contact with customers are five times more likely to test positive.Supermarket employees are important workers who are often exposed to the risk of COVID-19 transmission, especially in areas that are dealing with large epidemics like the United States.
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Researchers from Harvard University found that 20% of 104 supermarket employees in Massachusetts tested positive, and most of them had no symptoms when tested. Although a large proportion of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic, transmission can also occur in the presymptomatic stage of patients who eventually develop symptoms. According to research, these patients will become infected as early as two days before the first symptoms.
The newspaper stated that the infection rate among supermarket employees was “significantly higher than in surrounding communities.” The research was first published in “Occupational and Environmental Medicine.” Researchers say that employees who are in direct contact with customers are five times more likely to test positive.
“We did this study because in the first months of COVID, the focus was very much on medical workers, but not other necessary workers,” Dr. Justing Yang told Fox News. Justing Yang is an assistant professor at Boston University School of Medicine and a researcher at Harvard University’s Chen Zengxi School of Public Health.
“I think when a person has close contact with other people, there is always a concern, like when interacting with a salesperson / cashier in a store,” added Justing. “Therefore, a physical barrier (Plexiglass) and the use of a mask will greatly reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
Although this ratio sounds terrifying, there is a detail that explains this unexpected discovery. The study was conducted in May, and Justing noted that Massachusetts implemented the mask regulations after the investigation report was released. The CDC did not recommend wearing masks until early April. In indoor environments such as supermarkets, the more people wear masks, the lower the risk of transmission, and customers and workers can be better protected.
“I think for stores and states that have mask injunctions, we probably won’t see such numbers,” Justing said. “But for stores and states without mask injunctions, this situation is likely to occur in other stores.”
The researchers said similar studies from China showed that the infection rate among supermarket workers was 9.2%.
In addition to the obvious risks associated with COVID-19, the researchers said that supermarket workers also face additional mental health challenges. Those who cannot practice social distancing at work are at higher risk of anxiety or depression. Additionally, those who use public transportation or carpooling to work are also more likely to suffer from depression than those who walk, bike, or use private cars.
“This is the first study to demonstrate the significant asymptomatic infection rate, exposure risk, and related psychological distress of essential workers in the grocery retail industry during the pandemic. This supports the policy recommendation that employers and Government officials should take steps to implement preventive strategies and administrative arrangements, such as methods to reduce interpersonal contact, repeated and routine testing of SARS-CoV-2 employees, to ensure the health and safety of necessary workers, ”the researchers wrote. “Our important findings in mental health require action to provide comprehensive employee assistance services to help essential workers cope with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
This study has limitations and the conclusion may not be applicable to the current epidemic. In communities where more people wear masks, the risk of infection may be much lower, while where people do not wear masks or practice social distancing, the risk of infection is higher. The full research report can be found at this link.
