June 10, 2020
There is a lot of controversy on whether facial masks help protect you against COVID-19. The CDC, U.S. Department of Health and other agencies recommend wearing a face mask. Others think it is not necessary. Some businesses will not allow you in without one. Others refuse entry if you are wearing a face mask, claiming it a security issue. Regardless of how you feel about it, I thought it would be good to share the following article from the Triangle Business Journal entitled Don't think you need a face mask for coronavirus? UNC study shows it could help by Seth Thomas Gulledge.
A new study from UNC focusing on how coronavirus spreads found that the nasal cavity is usually the first site of infection, – potentially re-enforcing the importance of face masks and giving future insight for preventative care.
This week, researchers at the UNC School of Medicine and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health published a new study in the journal Cell cataloguing the ways the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strain infects the nasal cavity to a greater degree than lower parts of the respiratory tract.
According to researchers, studies of how the virus infected cultured cells from different parts of the respiratory system showed "striking pattern of continuous variation, or gradient" from "relatively high infectivity" of nasal cells to "relatively low infectivity in lung cells."
The cells lining the throat and bronchia were also found to have less infectivity than nasal cells.
“If the nose is the dominant initial site from which lung infections are seeded, then the widespread use of masks to protect the nasal passages, as well as any therapeutic strategies that reduce virus in the nose, such as nasal irrigation or antiviral nasal sprays, could be beneficial,” said Dr. Richard Boucher, co-senior author of the study and director of the Marsico Lung Institute at the UNC School of Medicine.
The researchers found that a certain surface receptor that the virus uses to infect cells – ACE2 – was more abundant in nasal cells compared to lower airways, a potential explanation of the findings.
In all, the study seems to suggest that the virus first finds its way into the nasal cavity, but in some cases then travels into the lungs where it causes a more serious disease.
“This is a landmark study that reveals new and unexpected insights into the mechanisms that regulate disease progression and severity following SARS-CoV-2 infection,” said Dr. Ralph Baric, the other co-senior author of the study and a professor of epidemiology at UNC. “In addition, we describe a new reverse genetic platform for SARS-CoV-2 allowing us to produce key indicator viruses that will support national vaccine efforts designed to control the spread and severity of this terrible disease.”
The research was supported by both the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
While protective eyewear, gloves, and even Tyvek suits are in use by contractors across the country in an effort to keep workers safe from COVID-19, the most ubiquitous tool for coronavirus protection — face coverings — have led to questions and in some cases, pushback, from workers who say they are uncomfortable and hot. An article entitled
Face coverings reveal a new set of jobsite
by Jenn Goodman published in Construction Dive on June 3 explains that although OSHA recommends that workers wear masks, many states and local jurisdictions have taken that a step further by requiring employee-provided PPE for workers who cannot remain six feet apart. For example, face masks are
required for workers and visitors on construction sites in New Jersey
which must be supplied by employers.
In
Pennsylvania
, employers must also provide masks for employees and make it a mandatory requirement to wear masks while on the work site. Employees do not have to wear a mask if they are eating or drinking during a break. Employers may approve masks or face coverings obtained or made by employees.
Jim Goss, senior safety consultant at HCSS Construction Software, is quoted in the article as saying face coverings are a critical component of contractors’ COVID-19 safety plans and are imperative for situations when workers cannot maintain a distance of six feet or more. He gives the following advice on getting buy-in:
- Set clear, companywide expectations about the use of face coverings.
- Communicate the importance of all types of coronavirus prevention. Have managers talk about it during toolbox talks and other meetings.
- Ensure that managers, supervisors and foreman wear face coverings.
- Make it easy for your employees to obtain and maintain masks.
- Remind workers that the virus is fast spreading and invisible. A seemingly safe area one day could become a hotspot the next week.
- Tell employees that it's their responsibility to keep themselves and their coworkers safe.
Feel free to contact any member of our team at (610) 828-1900 (PA) or (732) 341-3893 (NJ) with questions. You can contract Rich Higgins, CPA, managing principal - New Jersey Office at
Richard.Higgins@MCC-CPAs.com
and me at
Marty.McCarthy@MCC-CPAs.com
. As always, we are happy to help.
Stay safe,
Marty McCarthy, CPA, CCIFP
Managing Partner
McCarthy & Company
Disclaimer: This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Information contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used as tax advice, and cannot be used by the recipient to avoid penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. We strongly advise you to seek professional assistance with respect to your specific issue(s).
