A city in the United States in the focus of COVID-19 has drastically reduced the spread of the infection: one important detail has been enough

More than half of the US states are currently required to wear masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus. However, the subject of masks is the subject of much debate.

Therefore, the BBC has decided to take a closer look at the situation in a city in the United States, which has deviated from its general policy and is diligently wearing masks.

Although care must be taken in drawing conclusions about mask use, the available data can be reviewed, evaluated and compared, given the wide range of factors that may be associated with differences in infection levels.

South Dakota case study

In South Dakota, the effective reproduction rate of the virus is one of the highest in the United States.

Republican State Gov. Kristi Noem has not introduced mandatory wearing of masks and does not intend to impose statewide restrictions, arguing that state leaders have no right to do so.

However, some communities in South Dakota have decided to behave differently. Brookings, the fourth-largest city in the state, was the first in September to introduce, among other measures, a rule for wearing masks in stores and all other establishments.

So has the number of coronavirus cases in the city decreased since the introduction of these restrictions, which cover not only the use of nasal and mouth guards, but also other measures that affect entrepreneurship?

The decision to order the wearing of masks at Brookings was initially met with such hostility, says William McMacken, editor of the local Register newspaper.

However, despite constant calls from local government and health officials, the masks have become increasingly used.

“I visit my favorite Brookings store often. By my estimate, it is now between 80 and 90 percent. their clients wear masks, ”says McMacken.

The key factor that led to the decision to wear the masks was the desire to avoid the closure of the University of South Dakota and the desire to retain large numbers of students in the fall, McMacken adds.

The requirement to wear a mask was introduced in Brookings, but does not apply in the surrounding county of the same name.

The data available to the BBC reflects the situation in the county as a whole, not in the city, and is therefore limited.

In Brookings County, the effective reproduction rate of the virus is currently the lowest of the five most populous counties in South Dakota.

In September, when tighter restrictions on coronavirus control were introduced in Brookings, including the use of masks, that number was highest in Brookings County.

Also, in October and November, as the number of coronavirus cases increased statewide, the growth rate in Brookings was lower than elsewhere.

It cannot be said that this happened solely because of the wearing of masks. But Bonny Specker, an epidemiologist at the University of South Dakota, says that the instruction to wear face masks along with other measures, such as restrictions in bars and restaurants, has led to a change in the situation.

“Wearing masks is not mandatory in South Dakota. Currently, the number of hospital admissions and deaths per person in the state is one of the highest in the country. If we compare Brookings County with other counties with the 10 most populous cities, the data would confirm that the order to wear masks helps, “said the expert.

Many medical associations are running a Mask Up South Dakota campaign in response to the growing number of viral cases in the state. The doctors wrote to the governor asking them to intervene.

Recently, more and more cities in South Dakota are deciding to think for themselves and impose stricter restrictions. November 17 the most populous city, Su Falls in Minehah, introduced a 60-day mask.

What is the situation in South Dakota compared to other states in the US? Incoming data 100 thousand. population:

Find more statistics at Statista

Governor Noem drew attention to other states in the US where masks have been worn for some time, but the number of cases continues to grow.

His spokesman, Ian Fury, said: “Look at Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois; these states have been instructed to wear masks, but the number of cases continues to grow rapidly.”

In fact, there has been an increase in cases in these states, but none have recorded as many cases per person as in South Dakota during the entire period of the pandemic. None of them had such a steep increase in cases in November.

After the introduction of a mask order along with other restrictions, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin managed to keep a relatively small number of new cases. However, since the number of cases has risen across the United States since the summer, these states have not been able to prevent it either.

All three states enforced stricter restrictions than South Dakota during the pandemic, including an order to wear masks. The recent outbreaks came later and were weaker.

Studies in the United States suggest that the requirement to wear masks in public places reduces the number of cases.

A study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, published in late November, looked at the situation in the state of Kansas from June to August.

In the summer, the state governor announced that wearing masks in public places is mandatory, but counties can choose whether to enforce the measure. Most counties have chosen to apply it.

The study found that the number of cases was declining in those parts of the state of Kansas where mandatory use of masks was introduced. In those counties where there were no instructions for wearing masks, the number of cases continued to rise.

The study states that these findings “coincide with a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases recorded in the 15 states and Washington that introduced masks compared to states that did not require masks.”

Kate Grabowski, an associate professor who reviews scientific papers at Johns Hopkins University, says, “All the research we’ve had to review shows that mandatory mask use is effective.”

Experts make it clear that there may be a number of factors that contribute to the reduction in coronavirus cases. Mr. Grabowski adds that “the degree of effectiveness varies from study to study. This is not surprising, since the impact depends on how people follow the instruction, which also varies from one area to another ”.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was initially hesitant to recommend the use of masks, but in April they issued a council advising that masks or pads be used for the mouth and nose in cases where it cannot be maintained. distance. The World Health Organization did the same in June.

The World Health Organization says face masks can help protect each other and reduce the spread of the virus when people are infected but not experiencing any symptoms.

Brookings has yet to overcome COVID-19, but City Councilman Nick Wendell has no doubt that the measures taken have eased the burden on the health care system and prevented the closure of schools and businesses.

“We have relied on science, we have ignored politics and we have learned from those parts of the country where the virus has crossed before and with more force,” concludes Wendellis.